Find private mainstream & alternative schools, tutors, homeschool help in Midrand

Preschools ? what are the different approaches to learning?

Preschools generally accept kids from 4 to 6 years old, but with the variety of schools on offer, you will find preschools starting from as young as 18 months. Some of these also function as daycare centres and offer aftercare services for your peace of mind. Most preschools or nursery schools have their own curriculum and focus on creating a caring, nurturing environment where kids can enjoy, learn, and flourish. They also offer extra murals such as swimming, drama, sport, and more.

There are a few different approaches to early childhood development so we will touch on a few to help you make your decision.

Montessori preschools

These schools aim to create a calm, child-centered learning environment. The idea is for children to learn individually and at their own pace by moving freely around the room and choosing from a wide range of hands-on, age-appropriate activities that are designed to teach specific skills. The range of Montessori nursery schools in this directory are also varied and you need to enquire directly to find out how each school applies these principles of learning.

The Reggio Emilia approach

This is a child-centred approach to learning and teaching where children learn by experience. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery.

Primary Schools and high schools

There is a wide range of private primary schools and high schools aside from government schools in Midrand. Private schools with small classes create an intimate environment where children may have the advantage of being exposed to additional learning material and experiences. Different primary and high schools follow different curricula, either the prescribed CAPS curriculum, the Montessori approach, blended learning, may involve technology based classes and usually offer extra mural activities.

Alternative schools

Is your child struggling to cope in a mainstream school? We have seen a rise in alternative schooling in South Africa. The common element of these schools is that most of them have small classes and intimate environments where kids can thrive. There are various curricula including the Cambridge system, Impaq, CAPS and even a Finnish model of teaching.

Homeschooling

Homeschools or learning centres by definition means a child is taught by their parents or a tutor. The need for these new spaces of learning has emerged in response to a variety of factors including parents dissatisfaction with the methods used at traditional schools or when a cultural or religious group feels discriminated against in a mainstream setting. The need for homeschooling and homeschooling support in Midrand has grown enormously in the past couple of years. This schooling environment allows each child to be given individual attention and learn at their own pace.

Several other alternative options

Online schools became the norm as Covid-19 struck globally. Many parents have found this suitably easier and have stuck with it.

For schools that focus on specific arts such as dance, drama, music or art you can find performing arts schools in Midrand.

Parents that need special needs schools, we have a list of special needs schools that assist and care for kids with Down's syndrome, autism, hearing impaired, ADHD, disabilities and more.

What about extra lessons for children struggling to cope?

We have an extensive list of tutors that can assist your child with a specific subject or all subjects in general. Tutors can change the way your child feels about learning be it languages or maths, accounting or science, tutors are on hand to help.

Teacher and school resources

If you are a teacher you may find it useful in keeping with the times to browse through our educational shows. Companies and individuals that visit schools teaching them valuable life skills, environmental awareness, animal care and so much more.

Begin your search

We hope we have helped to make your decision in finding the appropriate school for your child easier with our easy-to-use directory. For teachers, the resources we have advertised makes teaching all the more fun and fulfilling.