Long before a child sits behind a desk, they are already learning through building, painting, climbing, imagining and negotiating with a friend over whose turn it is next. At Curro Salt Rock, this is not seen as ‘just play’. It is seen as the foundation of everything that follows.

Research shows that children’s self-esteem begins forming as early as age five, long before Grade One. This is why Curro Salt Rock’s approach to Grade R is built around purposeful, play-based learning, which develops the physical, emotional and social skills children need before formal academics take centre stage. As the year unfolds, structured learning is introduced gradually, so no child is rushed. Every child is ready in their own time.

Curro Salt Rock is also investing in the environment in which this growth takes place. The Grade R environment is being reimagined from the ground up, with new play structures, a splash pad, a sensory garden, a resurfaced cycle track and landscaped grounds. Each element is designed to turn everyday play into meaningful learning and give the school’s youngest learners a space as bold and curious as they are.

The confidence to thrive in Grade 12 begins much earlier, with the first brave steps taken in Grade R.
Curro Salt Rock’s Grade R programme blends English, Afrikaans and isiZulu exposure, coding and robotics, daily sport and purposeful play, nurturing learners who not only know things, but also know how to think, create and thrive.

Curro Salt Rock will host an open day on August 29 for all grades from 3 months to Grade 12. Families are invited to visit the school and see where their children’s journeys begin or continue.

Meet the Principal

At 10, Samantha Smit dreamed of becoming an astronaut, fascinated by space, adventure and the unknown. Today, as an executive head, she still embraces that curiosity.

Her learners might be surprised to learn that she studied music and did ballet as extracurricular activities at school. If she were not in education, Samantha believes she would be a social worker, driven by a passion for helping people and supporting families.

She describes being a principal as “riding a bicycle, except the bicycle is on fire, you’re on fire, and everything around you is on fire”, while juggling many roles each day.

Above all, her learners have taught her to remain curious, resilient and hopeful, and that growth comes from making mistakes, asking questions and trying again.

For more information, visit curro.co.za, call Curro Salt Rock on 087 285 1671 or email info.saltrock@curro.co.za.