Arrive at school
Children are transported to the educare in the COLT bus and are greeted by their teachers at the gate when they arrive.
Educare Programme
The educare program provides a consistent and predictable daily routine with lots of time for play. Play is crucial in early childhood development. It encourages active thinking, problem solving and communication, boosts confidence and helps with fine motor skills and gross motor skills. Educators support each child by observing and listening without any preconceived ideas.
| Timetable for Sunflower class and Grade R | |
|---|---|
|
8:00 - 8:30 |
Arrival |
|
8.30 - 9.30 |
Welcome, register, breakfast, and toilet time |
|
9.30 - 10.00 |
Morning ring |
|
10.00 - 10.15 |
Creative work (baking, painting, gardening, claywork, drawing) |
|
10.15 - 10.30 |
Snack time |
|
10.30 - 12.00 |
Free play |
|
12.00 - 12.15 |
Lunch |
|
12.15 - 12.30 |
Story and goodbye time |
8.00
Welcome
Welcome, register, breakfast, and toilet time. Children wash their hands and then sit at their class room tables. They say a prayer before eating breakfast.
8.30
Morning Ring
The class settles quietly on the mat to meet as a whole with their teacher.
They discuss the weather and theme of the week, developing listening and language skills. The action songs learnt in morning ring help to build confidence and are fun.
Yoga stretches and breathwork lead into the creative activities.
9.30
Creative Work
Baking, painting, gardening, claywork, and drawing.
Baking introduces children to solids and liquids, quantities and measuring, size and shape.
Crafts develop imagination, fine motor skills and capacity to complete a task.
Growing vegetables to eat and working with the earth connect children with nature.
10.00
Snack Time
Water, fruit and peanut butter sandwiches are offered to the children.
10.15
Free Play
Free play outside on play equipment, balancing, jumping and climbing; or indoors sharing ideas in fantasy play, and making puzzles.
10.30
Lunch
A warm nourishing lunch is cooked each day for the children.
12.00
Story and Goodbye
Storytime at the end of the day for the children to wind down and develop a love of books and reading.
Before leaving the Educare children and teachers sing a goodbye song that acknowledges everyone by name.
12.15
COLT provides:
- Free, quality education
- Transport to and from home
- 3 wholesome, nutritious meals per day and cereals for the weekends
- Educational outings, and winter holiday program
- Holistic curriculum: play indoors/outdoors, gardening, yoga, breathing, baking, arts and crafts
- Health services from the local clinic: primary health care for Colt children, recommended immunisations and relevant documentation.
- Social support for the parents: applications for identity documents, birth certificates, maternity birth records, and social grants.
- Assistance with primary school placement
- Aftercare program and support for past learners
We endeavour to work hand in hand with parents to ensure wholistic development of the child. Parents are required to attend 4 quarterly parent teacher meetings per year.
Our children's Birthdays
This is a very special day for the child. Each child’s birthday is a celebration, a cake is baked, the table is laid with party décor and treats. Songs are sung and a crown is placed on the child’s head. The arrival date of the child is recognised.
COLT Birthdays
Children of Light Educare (COLT) opened in October 2017 on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami, a Hindu festival celebrated on the 10th and last day of Navaratri. The nine nights of Navaratri celebrate the victory of good over evil. The festival also highlights learning and education – children are initiated into the study of the alphabet; books are blessed and new students commence their lessons in music. Each year COLT celebrates this anniversary with a fire ceremony (Yajna) which the children and staff participate in. A birthday cake and other treats are then enjoyed by children, staff, volunteers and guests.
Festivals
Each end of term is celebrated with a festival. This celebration is prepared with joy and excitement. All the craftwork made by the children will be displayed and the class will be decorated according to the festival theme. Festivals are chosen according to the season of the year. The teacher and class assistant prepares the class with wonder, fostering a spirit of joy.
Educare Outings
This forms an important part of the rhythm of the term. At least 2 outings are planned for each term according to the seasons. The aim of the outing is to foster social and physical development of the child. To allow the child to experience the world. To take a walk on the mountain and experience the trees, play in the streams, socialise with fellow mountain hikers.
Parents are invited to one family day outing per year.
Forest fun!
Nature is nourishing, our children experience internal and external learning when they play and explore in the forest.