Noah’s Ark Pre-Primary school is nestled in tranquil and beautiful surroundings on a farm just outside of Melkbosstrand Cape Town. Our Motto, Psalm 23, lays the foundation and Christian values upon which our school was founded in 2008.
Quality Education
At Noah’s Ark (NSA) Pre-Primary School, we’re all about quality education with hands-on learning experiences. Here, skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values are seamlessly integrated within the daily program. Additionally, our farm setting is warm and welcoming, providing a unique atmosphere. Furthermore, the outdoor playground offers a challenging environment that encourages gross-motor activities, sensory exploration, and socialization. Therefore, if you’re looking for quality education, in Melkbosstrand, you need look no further.
Curriculum
The Pre-Primary curriculum emphasizes learning through play and informal, creative activities. Moreover, the progress of each child is closely monitored, and specialized individual attention is provided.
In collaboration 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, promoting healthy families and providing key experiences that support children’s natural interests as they explore, learn, and discover.
Moreover, we are registered with the Western Cape Education Department and ISASA (Independent Schools Association of South Africa).
NSA caters to children from 18 months to Grade 00 (6 years old).
Our teachers and assistants are FUN, PASSIONATE, and DEDICATED individuals with extensive experience, training, and love for children. Furthermore, each classroom has a teacher and an assistant to ensure that every child receives adequate attention.
What we value
The school’s mission and values guide us in everything we do. Furthermore, prayer and Christian values are integral parts of our daily routine. This not only creates a loving, warm, and happy atmosphere for small children to learn but also promotes their emotional, social, cognitive, physical, and spiritual development.
Additionally, we cherish our monthly assemblies that bring unique experiences to our students. During these assemblies, each class has the opportunity to sing a song or recite a new poem they have enjoyed throughout the month.
Connecting with our environment
Our children, by caring for our farm animals, learn to care and take responsibility for all our furry friends small and large. This, in turn, teaches our children to become caring citizens of the world around us. In addition, the animals help our young learners to cope with their big emotions that might be overwhelming for them at times. As a result, 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.
Safety
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 receive exceptional training based on recent neuroscience research. Consequently, this training equips teachers with a variety of support strategies, ideas, and toolboxes, enabling them to navigate seamlessly through 21st-century schooling.
Moreover, by converting schools into “Thinking Labs,” Keller House hopes to ensure that Deep Thinking is achieved on a daily basis.
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.
Holistic approach
Noah’s Ark aims to develop children physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually by providing interesting and stimulating activities. Additionally, young children learn by touching, hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting, and we ensure that our daily program is full of opportunities for discovering and exploring.
Support
Children love learning, and we make the most of this intrinsic motivation by providing activities that excite and interest them. Additionally, we closely observe and assess each child, working in collaboration with a group of therapists to support pupils who need assistance in certain developmental areas.
Moreover, our methods are inspired by a range of sound educational philosophies from around the globe, which we implement 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).
NSA caters 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, each with a qualified teacher and an assistant. Furthermore, these two groups enjoy their own delightful garden, which is fenced off from the main school garden to ensure that equipment and activities are tailored exclusively to their age group.
Additionally, the 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 to individualize teaching. As a result, children who need extra assistance receive the support they require, while those who need extension have the opportunity to advance.
Additionally, therapists are available to meet with learners as needed. To facilitate this, meetings are arranged between the therapists and parents, and fees are coordinated directly with the therapists for their services.
GR 000 – GR R
NSA’s Gr 000 (3-4y) Group, Gr 00 (4-5y) Group, and Gr R’s (5-6y) Group each accommodate a maximum of 20 learners, with a qualified teacher and an assistant present in every class.
In addition, our curriculum encompasses mathematics, language, and life skills.
Furthermore, each group benefits from its own individual garden, which ensures that the equipment and activities are specifically tailored to their age group.
Additionally, each group has dedicated toilet facilities to enhance 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.
