Nine Hermanus Pre-Primary teachers attended a five-day National Curriculum Framework (NCF) training. This curriculum includes all children from birth up to Pre-Grade R.
The Western Cape Government vision for children in these age groups are: “Working with and for all children in the early years in a respectful way, to provide them with quality experiences and equality of opportunities to achieve their full potential.”
This new curriculum links directly to this prestigious school’s vision: Foundation through Learning, Friendship and Fun.
“We are now qualified NCF educators, we understand the background and rationale for the development of this new curriculum, the structure and use of it,” said Lorna Such, headmaster of Hermanus Pre- Primary School.
She said the five days of training equipped pre-school teachers to:. Understand the competence (knowledge, skills) children need to develop;. Understand how to support children with their holistic development;. Understand how to plan high-quality learning experiences and to reflect on the children’s performances.
“We are so eager to do the planning and to implement this new curriculum,” she said.
In 2022 Hermanus Pre-Primary children will, inside the classroom as well as outside, be exposed to many activities with six critical outcomes in mind:. Identify and solve problems;. Work effectively as an individual, and with other children;. Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively;. Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information;. Develop communication skills;. Use science and technology effectively and critically.
“The development of these outcomes will start in the baby class. Think how well equipped our learners will be when they enter Grade R and later the primary school. Parents, children learn through play.
“Play is a serious business and is the leading source of development,” she said.
She explained: “Through play children learn and practice many basic social skills. They develop a sense of self, learn to interact with other children, how to make friends, how to live, and so on.
“So let our children play instead of watch television. With the training done we are well-equipped to incorporate the six critical outcomes in well-structured play activities.”
