Waterstone College has a preschool in Kibler Park, Johannesburg, that provides high-quality early childhood development for children from 18 months to Grade R. Our classes are divided by age, and we carefully control the number of children per class to ensure that they are all cared for and entertained. Our internally developed preschool programme engages inherent curiosity and love of play, while supporting their well-being all-round. We also form part of the Curro school group, and have early drop-off times and half- and full-day options.

Why is it best for children to learn through play?

Children learn by discovering the world around them – and anything learned while playing at a young age is remembered much faster and more efficiently compared to anything learned while sitting at a table in a forced learning environment.

As part of the Curro school group, our children enjoy a programme that supports their physical, social, emotional and cognitive well-being. This approach to early childhood development is built around learning and developing through play rather than strict milestones. This means that children feel supported and encouraged instead of anxious and pressured to develop at someone else’s pace.

Learning during childhood starts with babies exploring their touch and taste sense while playing with squishy pasta, jelly, and other texture-rich objects. Later on, young toddlers learn the basics of mathematics by playing with building blocks, balls, manipulating objects around their bodies, and other ways. Older toddlers learn the basics of writing and reading with comprehension by drawing, painting, singing, and generally discovering objects that centre around a specific theme.

Here are some examples of the areas that are developed by learning through play:

• Mathematics: shapes, size, time, counting, adding, subtracting
• Communication: speech, listening, reading, understanding
• Creativity: drawing, painting, correct pinching of a pencil, dancing
• Physical well-being: balance, movement, safety
• Identity and belonging: personality, morals, caring, friendship, sharing

As part of the Curro school group, learners enjoy preference when applying to us from any school in the group, such as nearby Curro Oakdene.

How big are the classes

Children need lots of attention and nurturing. That is why our classes are divided by age, and we carefully control the number of children in each class. Our teachers also have one or more assistants, depending on the age group and number of children in the class. By having a limited number of children in class, our teachers can give each one the individual care and attention they need to flourish and feel loved.

Grade R in our preschool

The jump between preschool and primary school can be difficult and Grade R learners are still young children at heart. That is why we accommodate Grade R learners in our preschool. They follow a more structured timetable to help them prepare for the formal learning that starts in Grade 1, but they still have plenty of time and room to run and play.

They learn the basic foundations of reading, writing and adding and subtraction, physical education, and more. Teaching takes place in English and Afrikaans, and learners have isiZulu and Afrikaans as Conversational Language subject options.

Activities at our school

Our daily programme is packed with a variety of physical and cognitive activities where children play while they learn. We also offer additional, optional extramural activities as additional opportunities to strengthen focused areas or hone certain skills. Our extramural activities are offered by external tutors or coaches at an additional cost and take place on the school’s premises.

As a preschool in Kibler Park, these extramural activities are tailored to the interests of you and your family. This ensures that your child can grow and excel in areas that they truly enjoy. Your child is sure to find something that will pique their interest.

See which activities we offer on our fact sheet.