The pre-primary school that puts your child’s education first
Newton Park Educare and Pre-primary provides a happy, caring and disciplined environment where children can learn and grow.
The school is situated in Newton Park, Port Elizabeth and has excellent facilities and pre-school apparatus, with large classrooms and lots of space for children to run around.
Kids Connection had the chance to meet the friendly principal of Newton Park Educare, Hanliette Marsh, and ask her what makes her school the best in town.
Here is what principal Marsh had to say at our Q and A
Q. What is the ethos and focus area of Newton Park Educare and Pre-primary?
As a family school our kids are our passion. We hold their future in our hands and therefore take utmost pride in education. The school offers Grade R with qualified teachers, trained by the Department of Education on the CAPS Curriculum. We create an active learning environment, focusing on- gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language, visual perception, auditory perception and mathematics.
The school has a loving and caring environment. We are continually developing and growing our school, but our class numbers always stay the same, to ensure that each child gets the attention they deserve. Every teacher in our school has taken an oath to educate, protect and serve every child in our care with love and respect.
Q. How long has the school been running in Port Elizabeth and how long have you been the principal?
Newton Park Educare & Pre-Primary has been in Port Elizabeth for over 20 years. The recent owners, Claire & Dawn Wiseman, have been running the school for 12 years, while I have been Principal at the school for 10 years.
Q. What age groups does the school cater for?
We take in children from 1 yrs old to Grade R, running an educational programme appropriate for each specific age group. We do take in younger babies if there is an older sibling at our school, so that families don’t have to split their children.
Q. What qualifications do your teachers have?
Our Grade R teachers have their Diploma’s in Early Childhood Development and Psychology. They have also been trained by the Department of Education in the CAPS curriculum and maths.
Our Grade 0 teachers are currently completing their Childhood Education through UNISA. All other staff are certified in Early Childhood Development. We have four qualified First Aid staff on site and are connected to Medic-Assist through ECMR in case of any emergencies.
Q. What extra-mural activities does the school offer?
We believe that children should develop their talents, so we have lots of extra-murals on offer, such as – EQ4Kids (Emotional Intelligence Development), Soccer Starz, ABC Music, Jungle Gym Kidz, Monkeynastix, Beaux-Arts Kidz Kraftz, Swimming, Ballet, Mini-Sports, Future Kings Rugby or BARSU Computers.
I also offer 1:1 lessons for pupils who need educational assistance. I develop lessons for the individual child, based on assessments done by teachers. This helps parents with full time jobs, who don’t always have time to assist their children. This also gives us a good idea on where to refer a child to, should they need occupational therapy, physical therapy or speech therapy.
Q. During the school holidays do you offer child-care for parents who work?
We are open during school holidays. The kids get to play and take a break from the busy school term and teachers get the chance to do their preparation for the next term. We only close in December for ± 3 weeks.
Q. What do you love about your job and why should parents choose Newton Park Educare and Pre-primary for their children?
I didn’t choose this job, it chose me. There are no words to describe the joy of seeing a child grow and develop from the age of 1 to 6. For me it is a privilege to teach children and to see their progress, big or small. Their hearts are pure, their love is unconditional and their future is in our hands.
Parents should enrol their children at Newton Park Educare & Pre-Primary, because all the staff here do their utmost to help parents raise their children in the best possible way, ensuring they have a brightest future ahead of them.
If you would like to read more articles on education click here.
By Liesl Silverman
Photo credit: Newton Park Educare
For great savings on life’s little pleasures visit Bargain Buys!
Know somebody who is getting married, Wedding and Function can assist.
Enjoy food and travel, then visit Home Food and Travel.
