One of the biggest and most important decisions you will make is sending your child to the correct Pre-School. This will genuinely shape their future. Hurlyvale Pre-School has been providing a nurturing and caring environment for children aged between 1 and 5 years old for the last 22 years. We are probably Edenvale’s best kept secret! HVPS is a proud member of ISASA (Independent schools Association of South Africa) and we run on a four term calendar, based on the Government terms. Our school day starts at 08h00 and finishes at 13h00.

Our drop off time in the morning is from 07h00 and pick up for half day is any time between 13h00 and 14h00. Our aftercare is from 14h00 until 17h30. We stay open all holidays, except the December holiday time. Holiday club runs during the holiday time.

All children are given a snack at 10h00, which consists of sandwiches, fruit and juice. All full day children are served a cooked lunch at 12h45, half day children can also have lunch at an additional cost.  Full day children are given a further snack at 15h00.

A bit about our Play based approach to learning.

Some parents tend to think that learning is a race that their children are in. Ironically it can be detrimental to your child’s development to push them into activities that they are not ready for. Our “play curriculum” is designed to get all the pre skills right and to get the body right for more formal learning which comes in Grade 1.

Pre-schoolers need to learn these important pre skills as a foundation to build onto.  All skills are learnt at an age-appropriate time. Children learn in a scaffolded manner; this means that they need to develop one skill before building a new skill on top of that.

1. Pre-reading skills
2. Pre-maths skills
3. Problem solving skills- this ties in with coding later on
4. Language and vocabulary
5. Social skills
6. Emotional skills
7. Physical skills
8. Creativity

Learning these skills out of order or trying to push a child into learning skills that they are not ready for, is like trying out a new recipe back to front, it will flop.

We offer a safe, nurturing environment in which children are cared for and engaged in play-based developmental activities. Our weekly theme creates opportunity for creative play and imagination building.

Children learn by discovering the world around them and any skill learnt while playing at a young age is cemented much faster compared to anything that can be learnt from sitting at a table and doing book work or work sheets.  This has been proven by many specialists in the field of Early Childhood development.

Learning during childhood starts with babies exploring their senses, while playing with squishy pasta, jelly and other very texture rich and sensory rich objects. Later young toddlers learn the basics of mathematics by playing with balls, building blocks, in the water trough, sand pit and fantasy corner. Older toddlers learn the basics of writing and reading by all the above and drawing, painting, perceptual activities, show and tell and story time.

Our classes are divided by age-group.

1-2 years old

2-3 years old- potty training class

3-4 years old- Grade RRR

4-5 years old – Grade RR

We look forward to a rich, holistic educational journey with your child at HVPS.