Curro is excited to welcome back children

As part of their commitment to ensure the best possible education, Curro Castle eco kidz will combine with Curro Castle Mount Richmore.

Nobody has been left untouched with the economic effect of Covid-19, with this in mind Curro explored opportunities to assist parents financially in an effort to retain their pupils.

“We have had time to revisit the fundamentals and in the interest of the learners and staff, to ensure sustainability of our nursery/pre-school environment, we have decided to consolidate our two Curro Early Childhood Development schools,” said executive head, Mr Thomas.

While this has meant the immediate closure of eco kidz, Mr Thomas has promised a full learner-enriched campus as Curro Castle Mount Richmore absorbs eco kidz.

This will see groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and Grade R pupils from eco kidz move to Curro Castle Mount Richmore and will remain in their same classes with their current teachers. Grade R pupils will move to the foundation phase campus.

“If there are challenges around this, classes will consolidate with profiles and backgrounds being shared to find the best fit for each child,” said Mr Thomas.

But what can parents expect from Curro Castle Mount Richmore?

“The Curro Castle curriculum approach is based on each child being creative, as per the Curro curriculum and Early Learning Development approach. The Castle community is a close-knit family, and this approach is a big part of what Curro Castle Mount Richmore are all about.

“We strongly believe that both Castle Mount Richmore and eco kidz learners will be excited at the prospect of new friends being added to their classes. Class sizes will remain small and well-balanced, with the prescribed adult to child ratio,” he said.

Meanwhile, school at Curro Castle Mount Richmore resumed for Group 5 pupils on Wednesday, with one child quoted as saying: “Mommy, Please can I sleep here tonight, I’m scared you won’t bring me back.”

Staff at Curro Castle have said that it is a blessing to be able to once again hear all their little five year old childrens’ voices and laughter.

“Many of our parents have said that their children have come home after a day back at school, bright and shining again. Lockdown has had an effect on our little ones mental status and with our Group 5s back, we have seen an enormous rush of enthusiasm and joy,” said Curro Castle’s Jackie Clark.

According to Clark, the children have loved seeing their friends and running about the playground playing hide and seek and climbing on jungle gyms.

“Our Group 5s have been remarkably good with the wearing of masks and shields. We are so happy that masks seem to be the least of their worries and they are more concerned about being taken away from school and friends again. Our group 5 teachers all have reported that their ‘love tanks’ are full again now as they have spent time learning and growing with their class again.”

“We are excited to be re-opening the Castle. We will be implementing a phased in approach, as recommended by the Department of Education and Curro Holdings protocol. This will allow us to be safe, efficient and welcoming. Our focus, other than hygiene, is to ensure that each child and parent feels happy and at home. A ‘zero fear’ policy.”

Castle teachers have even shed a few tears of joy when they were given the news their children would be returning, with teachers jumping for joy as children arrived on Wednesday last week.

The Group 4 teachers are already giggling with joy at the news of Group 4 children returning.

According to Clark, the Group 4 children have a special welcome back meal to look forward to when school resumes for them on Monday this coming week.

“Our Group 4 teachers have prepared a special morning of games and fun to ease our little ones back in as well.”

https://www.facebook.com/CurroCastleMountRichmore/videos/715963722487038/

“We have implemented a smooth drop and go system where parents are able to hand their little Castle star over to a happy teacher where they are screened (sanitize, temperature, sticker) and then the teacher escorts them happily to their class, not before waving goodbye to mom and dad. Our classes and playground are sanitized and sprayed after use. All our dishes are washed in hot soapy water with a little Milton added.”

For more information, feel free to contact Mr Thomas at 083 440 4139.

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