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Kids Company was founded in 2000 with our first school opening that year in Johannesburg. In 2007 we proudly opened in Somerset West bringing our unique combination of the Montessori and Traditional philosophies to Cape Town.
At Kids Company, the children experience the synergy of the combined benefits of the Montessori methodology and the Traditional curriculum. In this manner we are able to give each child the best of both worlds and truly prepare them for the demands of their future schooling.
Our program is carefully planned and in our warm, personalised environment we aim to meet individual needs, encourage children to express their interests and participate fully in the school program. The qualified staff will strive to assist your child’s emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development through child-centered and teacher-centered activities, in a loving, nurturing, caring, safe and fun environment.
Teaching within the Montessori philosophy (described briefly below) is a richly rewarding method for both teacher and student alike. The children have the opportunity to work with the uniquely designed and crafted Montessori Equipment and the challenging Montessori Materials that truly inspire children to think, plan, experiment and explore. The traditional program adds to this firm grounding and further meets the child’s needs as the child prepares for his further schooling with tasks being specifically set for a child by the Directress/Teacher.
Our daily schedule and monthly program is well planned and structured and parents are informed in advance by referring to the school calendar and monthly newsletters about weekly themes, events and happenings. The children thrive within this well prepared and stimulating environment where they can “freely” explore and investigate new concepts and be challenged to learn through trial and error and work to their personal best.
Our program also includes a daily morning movement program, before our morning ring and a weekly Physical Education program known as the “exercise alphabet” which develops motor-skills and movement concepts within group and individual activities. Developing a child’s gross motor function is a vital area as it forms one of the essential structures for all other
learning.
Our school design focuses on spaciousness, safety and cleanliness and this allows the children to work and play within an clean and fulfilling environment. Our playground is designed to further assist each child’s gross-motor development during play. Within a pure Montessori environment the children are in classes of mixed ages. Our classes are age specific but mixed age activities are planned regularly in order for the children to still benefit from peer learning and “safe”
observation.
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A well-prepared, loving Directress is instrumental in balancing our unique program and is therefore expected to maintain current and accurate records, have well planned work and theme preparation which is closely monitored by the Principal. Through close observation of the children the Directress prepares the environment to fully facilitate the individual child’s growth planning for individual and group activities. The concept of “freedom” is often misunderstood in Montessori. It is very much a case of “liberty and not licence” or “freedom within boundaries.” Children are “free” to move around the class and indicate what their interests are but are not free to interrupt other children at work or do no work at all. This philosophy works well within the classroom and creates an environment of respect for all as children are part of the “rule-making” procedure and problem solving process. The prepared environment, (classroom) where everything is child-sized, becomes the means by which the Directress can introduce the child to the various areas in Montessori, the traditional program and the wonderful world around them.
Yours truly,
Justine Renaut
(Principal)
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