Smiley Kids - Edenvale

General information

Smiley Kids Educational program:

Here follows a brief summary of our educational program that would assist you in understanding our daily program and your child’s assessment and development. We work closely with a child kinethetist and the department of education.

Numeracy:
This program prepares the child through various areas of perception to form number concepts, problem solving and mathematical skills.

Literacy:
This program addresses everything to do with language development. Vocabulary, reading, poems, rhymes, listening to stories and own storytelling. Confidence is built when reciting a poem or answering poem or story related questions. THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENT GUIDED READING CANNOT BE EMPHASISED ENOUGH.

Life Skills:
These skills are important for any person to function in his every day environment. This includes skills like values, ethics, norms and day to day manners.

The following subjects are included in this program:

• Gross motor skills:
This is the full development of the body through big movements like riding a bike, balancing on a beam, throwing a ball, running, doing an obstacle course, playing on the jungle gym etc. All skills - numeracy, writing, reading, muscle tone, originates from these kinesthetic activities. It helps with listening skills, following instructions, functioning in a group, identifying leaders, and to teach the body awareness. We have included extra time for this during the day as you would agree it is essential to a child’s development.
• Art, Music, Bible, and Theme discussions:
These areas are aimed to make learners aware of the environment around them, people, things and various perceptions thereof. Art is an important way to express thoughts and experiences in a visual manner. Do not look at mere the aesthetic value of the item, but rather at the process and the skill acquired. Drawing is the the first step toward expressive writing – making thoughts and experiences visible on paper. Mere coloring of pictures in a coloring book inhibits creativity and should only be seen as a “toy” rather that an educational instrument. Lots of free drawing and coloring in of their own drawing is encouraged.

In our Baby Department we accommodate babies from 3months to 2 years. The January of the year in which the child turns 3, the transfer to Smiley Kids takes place.

There are two classes –
Junior babes (ages 3 months up to + - 12 months) and
Senior babes (ages 12 months up to 2 years/ or until potty trained)

We pride ourselves in the excellent stimulation program we have for our babies. This was developed in cooperation with an Occupational therapist. Babies are assessed weekly to make sure that they reach their milestones within the appropriate time frame.

As hygiene is of utmost importance, we work with surgical gloves when changing each child. Personnel make use of anti bacterial spray to disinfect their hands after each change. Air purifiers are installed to extract all harmful bacteria/ germs and unpleasant odors in the baby section.

The food is steamed to ensure that the wholesome goodness is maintained and a menu that was formulated specially for babies under the age of two is followed.

Parents are welcome to enquire about the babies’ progress. Personnel are able to give feedback on nappy changes, feeding times, sleep times, medication and supply any other information related to your child.