At Noah’s Ark Pre-Primary school we’re all about hands-on learning experiences. skills, knowledge, attitudes and values are integrated within the daily programme. Our farm setting is warm and welcoming and the outdoor playground provides a challenging environment that encourages gross-motor activities, sensory exploration and socialisation.
Our Pre-Primary curriculum emphasises learning through play and informal, creative activities. The progress of each child is monitored and specialized individual attention is given.
Together with parents and community members, we work hard to strengthen Noah’s Ark’s enviable reputation as a unique, excellent and truly magical learning environment.
NOAH’S ARK HEAD OF ECD & FOUNDATION PHASE
“It is a privilege and delight to be principal at one of Melkbosstrand’s most distinguished pre-primary schools and I am grateful to be surrounded by such motivated and caring staff. We put Jesus Christ first in everything we do. Together with parents and community members, we work hard to strengthen MPS Noah’s Ark’s enviable reputation as a unique, excellent and truly magical learning environment.
Hands-on learning experiences are what we’re about – and we get to enjoy our daily programme in the most amazing farm setting.
We have put many hours into building our curriculum which focuses on learning through play and allowing the children’s creativity to grow through a variety of interesting activities.
I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to build a school where our children will reach high levels of mastery and continue to gain confidence in their advancing skills. Thank you for considering Noah’s Ark as your partner in education.”
Antoinette Gauché
Head of ECD & Foundation phase: Noah’s Ark Pre-Primary
ABOUT NOAH’S ARK
At Noah’s Ark Pre-Primary school, we treasure the uniqueness of each child, promote healthy families and provide key experiences that support children’s natural interests as they explore, learn and discover.
We are registered at the Western Cape Education Department, and at ISASA (Independent Schools Association of South Africa).
We cater for children from 18 months to Grade 00 (6 years old).
Each classroom has a teacher and an assistant to ensure that every child receives adequate attention. Our teachers and assistants are FUN, PASSIONATE and DEDICATED individuals with lots of experience, training and love for children.
Our school’s mission and values guide us in everything we do. Prayer and Christian Values are a part of our every school day. It also provides a loving, warm and happy atmosphere for small children to learn. It promotes the emotional, social, cognitive, physical and spiritual development in each child.
We love our monthly assemblies that bring unique experiences to our students! During assemblies each class has the opportunity to sing a song or say a new poem that they have enjoyed throughout the month.
Our farm animals teach our children to become caring citizens of the world around us; we learn to care and take responsibility for all our furry friends small and large. Our farm animals help our young learners to cope with their big emotions that might be overwhelming for them at times. Emotions like anxiety, anger, sadness etc. all disappear with a bunny on their laps or while brushing down our beloved horse, Penny.
We use observations of our students’ response to teaching! Sharing progress with you is done throughout the year and at any time you would like to meet. Every term, we have formal feedback meetings with you, were we discuss the report in detail.
Your child’s safety is very important to us. For this reason, we have put several safety measures in place, which include the following:
- Security cameras
- Access control
- Armed response security
- We also have safe parking inside the premises for drop-offs and pick-ups
Noah’s Ark is proud to of our partnership with Keller Education.
Keller House is driven to re-imagine schooling by creating a HOME where teachers are provided with exceptional training, based on recent neuroscience research. This will provide teachers with a variety of support strategies, ideas and toolboxes to navigate seamlessly through 21st century schooling.
Keller House hopes to ensure that Deep Thinking is achieved on a daily basis by converting schools into “Thinking Labs.”.
ACADEMIC APPROACH
Pre-Primary is a vital time for children to learn and develop. Our vision is for all children to experience play-based learning that is engaging and builds success for life.
Noah’s Ark aims to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually by providing interesting, stimulating activities. Young children learn by touching, hearing, seeing, smelling and tasting – and we ensure that our daily programme is full of opportunities for discovering and exploring.
Children love learning, and we make the most of this intrinsic motivation by providing learning activities which excite and interest them. We closely observe and assess each child, and work closely with a group of therapists to provide assistance to pupils who need support in certain developmental areas.
Our methods are inspired by a range of sound educational philosophies from around the globe, implemented in innovative and meaningful ways.
Our methods are inspired by a range of sound educational philosophies from around the globe, resulting in the latest ISASA Curriculum Guidelines being implemented in innovative and meaningful ways.
PRE-PRIMARY CLASSES
We offer classes from 18 months (Playgroup) to 6 years (Grade R).
We cater for both English and Afrikaans classes in each age group.
PLAYGROUPS
Our Playgroups, the “Duckling” and “Gansieklas” have a maximum of 15 learners per class with a qualified teacher and assistant in each class.
These two groups have their own delightful garden, which is fenced off from the main school garden, to ensure that equipment and activities are geared exclusively to this age group.
Our Playgroups have their own toilets and nappy changing facilities and potty training is also provided.
THEIR DAILY PROGRAMME INCLUDES:
Singing | Movement | Drama
Discussion | Stories | Creative art time
Puzzles, games and art are integrated into the programme, and themes are introduced with songs, poems and stories.
INDIVIDUALS
Children work daily in small groups which helps individualize teaching, ensuring that the children who need extra assistance are given this, and that the children that require extension have the opportunity to do so.
Therapists are available to meet with learners where necessary.
Meetings are arranged between the therapists and parents, and fees are arranged with and payable directly to the different therapists for their services.
GR 000 – GR R
Our Gr 000 (3-4y) Group, Gr. 00 (4-5y) Group and our Gr. R’s (5-6y), have a maximum of 20 learners with a qualified teacher and assistant in each class.
Our Curriculum covers mathematics, language and life skills.
Each Group has their own individual gardens, to ensure that equipment and activities are geared exclusively to their age group.
Each group also has their own toilets facilities for the learners’ convenience.
PRE-PRIMARY STAFF
TEACHERS
HEAD OF ECD & FOUNDATION PHASE: NOAH’S ARK PRE-PRIMARY
Antoinette Gauché
Tamara Payne
Phase Head: ECD /
Pre-Primary
Tarryn Simpson
Danielle Erasmus
Debbie Murphy
Gabby Kriel
CLASS ASSISTANTS
Magdalene Blaauw
Natalie Cloete
Modiegi Motlhanke
Michelle Mentoor
EXTRA MURALS
To further broaden their learning experience, learners can participate in a range of extra murals offered at the school.
External vendors arrange and run these activities, they advise parents of the cost for learners to participate and these cost are payable directly to the vendor.
They typically offer one free class at the start of the year so learners have an opportunity to try a new activity before deciding whether to enroll for the class.
Extra Murals on offer at NSA:
Tuesday: Modern Dancing
Pottery
Wednesday: Monkeynastix
Rugga Roots
Thursday: Ballet
Friday: Clamber Club
Soccer Stars
AFTERCARE & HOLIDAY CARE
AFTERCARE
Aftercare is available for the pre-primary school children and is held on the school premises.
We offer Aftercare from 13:00 – 15:00 (half day) or 13:00 – 18:00 (full day). Please refer to our fee structure for more detail.
After school children are given a well-balanced, cooked meal and some juice.
A snack is served mid-afternoon such as fruit, jelly, muffins, and bread with fruit infused water in summer and tea in winter.
After lunch the pre-primary children may participate in a prepared activity or they may play their own games in our well-equipped garden under teacher supervision.
HOLIDAY CARE
In addition to our Aftercare facility, we offer Holiday Care. This is run during the School holidays on a full day basis and we only close for a few weeks over the December/January holidays.
A less formal structure applies to Holiday Care and the children have fun-filled days where they do arts and crafts, watch videos, read, and participate in arranged activities.
We are quite flexible in our arrangement for Aftercare and Holiday Care, even though we run them on a monthly basis. Thus, should you not need your child to be looked after every day of the week, either during the term or in the holidays, you can book them in, on an ad hoc basis to ensure that they are cared for when you are busy. That way you can work confidently, knowing that your child’s needs are being taken care of.
AFTERCARE & HOLIDAY CARE
AFTERCARE
Aftercare is available for the pre-primary school children and is held on the school premises.
We offer Aftercare from 13:00 – 15:00 (half day) or 13:00 – 18:00 (full day). Please refer to our fee structure for more detail.
After school children are given a well-balanced, cooked meal and some juice.
A snack is served mid-afternoon such as fruit, jelly, muffins, and bread with fruit infused water in summer and tea in winter.
After lunch the pre-primary children may participate in a prepared activity or they may play their own games in our well-equipped garden under teacher supervision.
HOLIDAY CARE
In addition to our Aftercare facility, we offer Holiday Care. This is run during the School holidays on a full day basis and we only close for a few weeks over the December/January holidays.
A less formal structure applies to Holiday Care and the children have fun-filled days where they do arts and crafts, watch videos, read, and participate in arranged activities.
We are quite flexible in our arrangement for Aftercare and Holiday Care, even though we run them on a monthly basis. Thus, should you not need your child to be looked after every day of the week, either during the term or in the holidays, you can book them in, on an ad hoc basis to ensure that they are cared for when you are busy. That way you can work confidently, knowing that your child’s needs are being taken care of.