Grade R

Age 5 turning 6

Grade R is the year of education before children start Grade 1. It’s also the final year of preschool for kids. This is also known as the Reception year and is included in the Foundation Phase curriculum. The Amendment Bill of Basic Education has outlined that Grade R is compulsory.

At Auckland Park Nursery school, children will have a formal curriculum in Grade R. During each day, they follow a routine that gives them flexible boundaries in which to learn and interact with each other through constructive, structured play.  Our focus in Grade R is to encourage the children to become more independent, responsible and confident in preparation for their transition into Grade 1. Grade R children will be taught fundamental skills that can help build their academic development.

Grade R teachers teach Grade R within the CAPS curriculum, according to the relevant Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) documents. All learning is based around a bi-weekly theme. The syllabus for the year focuses on maths, life skills and literacy skills.

Maths

Children in Grade R will be taught numeracy skills which will include teaching little learners space and shape, number formations and counting. Likewise, patterns, algebra, measurement and data handling will also be covered in the year

Life skills

The life skills syllabus concentrates on the emotional well-being of little learners. Children in Grade R will be taught the value of self-expression through activities that promote personal development as well as the importance of social skills.

Literacy skills

Literacy skills in Grade R are important for language development. This module can help build reading and listening skills as well as language structure. Children will be taught letter formations and phonemic awareness.

Phonemic awareness is a teaching concept that involves teaching children how to recognise and differentiate sounds in words. Kids will also be taught how to blend sounds and syllables in words.

Towards the end of a stimulating and creative year, our children are well prepared and equipped for Grade 1. Auckland Park Nursery school hosts an annual Grade R Graduation and Concert. The ceremony consists of children putting on grand performances of songs, reciting poems, dancing and performing wonderful drama sketches.