Headstart Montessori Pre-School is built on a foundation of
mutual respect.
This is the basis of our community.
No community can exist without respect.
1.
The staff show the children respect in the way they speak to
them and the way in which each child is seen and worked with on
an individual basis. Our classrooms are multi-cultural,
multi-lingual environments in which each child and teacher is an
equally accepted and respected member.
2.
The children are encouraged to respect each other. The school
actively discourages any form of physical or verbal abuse,
however minor it may appear, pushing, hitting, teasing,
name-calling, gossiping or bullying. We have ethic and
peace-making sessions and lessons that are regularly taught and
practiced to help overcome any situation. We will deal swiftly
and firmly with any child who contravenes this policy when it is
brought to our attention.
3.
The staff members of Headstart Montessori Pre-School are
professionals who will go out of their way to display a
respectful attitude towards parents at all times, inside and
outside of the school property.
Because of all of the above,
4.
The parents must also reflect this policy of respect when
speaking to or about any of the staff members or even their own
or other children, whether this occurs on the school property or
at social occasions.
If parents are not respectful when discussing a teacher or
another child within the hearing of their own child, it becomes
almost impossible for their child to be respectful in class.
This could cause your child some problems in school.
5.
If a child and/or family continuously and/or flagrantly
contravene the basic policy of respect, our community is
broken-down and obviously our school and what it stands for is
not what that family wants. The school will then be forced to
take steps to re-build our community.
"In the same way children are human beings to whom respect is
due, superior to us by reason and of their 'innocence' and of
the greater possibilities of their future. What we desire they
desire also"
( Dr. Maria Montessori's Own Handbook).
Admission Policy
The following admission polices and criteria have been designed
to maximise the compatibility among selected pupils, their
families and the school within the context of Headstart’s
Montessori-based educational philosophy and values. The policies
therefore take into account, not only evidence of a pupil’s
academic achievement, but the prospective pupil’s and family’s
long-term commitment to developing the whole child and their
commitment to a productive school-family partnership that will
support such growth.
1.
We practice a policy of non-discrimination relative to race,
ethnicity, gender, religion and national origin regarding the
receipt and review of applications for admission.
2.
Admissions decision require, and are made contingent upon
receipt or completion of:
All requested tests/assessments, if necessary.
Screenings
Pupil past records – from other pre-primary schools
School visit of parents and where necessary child, for
interviews
Completion of any other form requested by the school
3.
We respect the rights of privacy of all prospective pupils and
their families, and honour the confidentiality of all reports,
records, interview information, and any other information or
materials obtained as part of the admission application
process.
4.
While embracing the philosophy that each child develops in a
unique way and therefore welcome applications from a wide
variety of pupils, we also recognise our limitations in meeting
some highly complex or specialised learning needs. Our
admissions procedure will therefore take into account our
ability to accommodate particular pupil’s needs without
disruption to our programme as one factor when evaluating
applicants for admission. Pupils who have special needs that
fall within our ability to address may be accepted on a
provisional basis, with additional stipulations (such as a
requirement for a tutor or therapist assistant).
5.
All decisions regarding admissions will be made by an Admissions
Committee. Decisions will be based on a careful and
comprehensive review by the committee of all submitted material,
interviews, class visits etc. Admission decisions will be based
on, but not restricted to the following:
Pre-primary child:
·
Is able to co-operate in a social group.
·
Shows some respect for authority.
·
Is independent in toileting skills.
·
Is able to understand and follow school and classroom rules and
guidelines.
·
Demonstrates an eagerness to learn.
·
Is developmentally functional in all aspects of daily school
routine.
Families who:
·
Have or are willing to have a thorough understanding of
and commitment to the Headstart Montessori philosophy
and principles.
·
Understand and have a commitment to long-term
participation in the Montessori education process.
·
Understand their role in partnering with the school, for
example: volunteering, attending school meetings,
supporting school functions, following the school’s
vision and growth.
Each application is totally dependent on the time of year,
school activities, staff compliment, Head of School’s agreement,
team leader’s opinion and agreements and adherence to the
relevant conditions as above.
Headstart is a mixed ability, multi-grade Montessori school with
a common curriculum, individualised, for all - with no streaming
according to ability.
Admission Procedure
Individual appointments are made with the Head of School to show
visitors around the school if a family seems sincerely
interested.
The Head of School will see visitors briefly during the visit
with prior arrangement. It is preferable for the visit to take
place around 9am so that prospective parents might see the whole
school in operation.
If an application has not been received by the school within
seven days after the family has visited the school or attended
an open day, the school will make a follow up call as a
courtesy.
Those families who request an application form, after a visit to
the school – a full application package will be given, sent or
collected. This package will include:
·
Parent Handbook
·
Financial agreement and Enrolment forms
·
Request for ‘Certificate of Permanent Residence’ or foreign
student registration visa
·
Lists of reports needed – if the child has been in another
school
·
Request for application fee.
As applications are received they will be processed and managed
by the Head of School.
The final responsibility for ensuring that previous school
records get to our Admissions office rests with the family.
There is a R3000.00 Registration fee and a R5000.00 Deposit for
all new admissions. Parents are to provide the school with one
terms written notice should they decide to withdraw their child
from the school. In the event that the school is provided with
a terms written notice the deposit of R5000.00 will be fully
refunded. In the event that the school is not provided a terms
written notice the parent will forfeit the R5000.00 Deposit.
After completing and returning the Application for Enrolment
form, together with the R8000.00 Registration Fee and Deposit,
you will be notified within 7 days as to whether or not your
application was successful, and arrangements will be made for a
follow-up interview and formal discussion about the needs of
your child.
If your application was unsuccessful, the Registration Fee and
Deposit will be returned.
If however, your child is offered a place and you decide against
taking it, the Registration Fee is forfeited and only the
Deposit will be refunded.
If the faculty and staff of Headstart feel that we would be
unable to satisfactorily meet the academic, emotional or
psychological needs of your child, we will graciously suggest
another school that can possibly assist you.
Fee Structure & Payment Policy
Headstart is a private school that depends solely on the
financial commitment from parents.
We have NO government subsidy of any kind. We depend on the
enrolment fees to provide for the school property and its
upgrading etc. and the monthly school fees for the day-to-day
operating costs including directresses’ salaries.
Enrolment fee for Headstart Montessori Pre-School – R3000.00 per
child payable prior to entry.
Deposit for Headstart Montessori Pre-School – R5000.00 per child
payable prior to entry.
Parents are able to purchase access tags for the main gate.
The access tags are R100.00 each, of which R50.00 is a deposit,
refundable on return of the tag. Each tag has a unique code
that is linked to your child’s name. If a tag is lost or stolen
the school must be notified immediately and that particular tag
can be cancelled. Tags are available from the office.
Headstart has an annual stationery fee of R250.00 per learner.
All paint, pencils, books, scissors, glue, paper, etc, is
purchased from this stationery fee. The annual stationery fee
will be invoiced along with the January school fees at the
beginning of the year. Please note that this is a compulsory
fee that is applicable to all learners.
School hours:
The school is open from 7.00am (not earlier).
Half-day:
07h00 until 13h00 summer and winter, five days a week. Children
registered for half-day must be collected by 13h30,late
collections will be charged to the parents account at a fee of
R50.00 per half hour or part thereof.
Full-day:
07h00 until 17h30 summer and winter, five days a week. Children
registered for full-day must be collected by 17h30, late
collections will be charged to the parents account at a fee of
R50.00 per half hour or part thereof.
Extra murals will be held Monday to Friday between 12:30 and
13:30. Should the need arise; additional extra murals will take
place in the afternoons.
At Headstart, discipline is a positive factor aimed at assisting
the developing child reach the goal of self-discipline. The
school has an extensive discipline policy that is implemented
throughout the school in a positive manner. Briefly:
No corporal punishment is ever administered. It is unseemly,
demeaning and unconstitutional.
The word ‘isolation’ is a word that may be used in the school
when removing the child from a situation in which he or she is
not coping, in order to assist the child towards
self-discipline. However, a child is never isolated from the
group!
The child is only removed from the situation, not to another
room or even a particular place. It allows the child to calm him
or herself at which time he or she may rejoin the group/class.
Because we believe in providing a dynamic, rich learning
environment, full of hands-on manipulatives, we consider it
impossible for boredom to arise that is often the reason for
disciplinary problems.
If an incident occurs at the school that the respective team
leader and/or the Head of School deems to be a serious breach of
school rules – parents will be contacted to allow for a united
plan of action to be instituted.
No child will be made to feel different or special because of
his/her educational needs.
We believe that all children can learn and develop to their
highest potential, given the right circumstances and
environment.
When necessary, a written ‘prescription’, to aid this potential,
will be formalised with the entire teaching team and the Head of
School. Regular reviews and feed-back will be given to parents.
Assessment / Evaluation
In learner-centred education, assessments are made in several
ways:
On a continual basis to identify progress and level of
competency of an individual by means of informal observations,
reference to lesson plans etc.
They are also used to evaluate the teaching method and relevance
of the programme to the individual learner.
One-on-one discussions between the teacher and the child, using
the lessons plans of the teacher and the work of the student are
held to compare predicted progress with actual progress.
Summarised assessments will be given during the year, but no
grades, comparisons or ‘places in classes will be used. This is
in the form of a written report.
Information will be given to parents and also shared with the
pupils to assist in developing their responsibility for their
own learning.
Parent-teacher conferences will be individually scheduled twice
a year.
Written reports will be issued at the end of the academic year.
Uniforms
There is no uniform for the pre-primary class although school
T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, golf shirts and caps are
available.
Dress Code:
Due to the ‘no fantasy’ policy in the pre-primary cycle we would
really appreciate it if the parents co-operated by ensuring that
their child does not come to school wearing any
form of super-hero clothing. The wearing of such clothes often
precludes genuine non-adult enforced, creative, imaginative
play.
Parental Involvement:
Headstart is a community with parents, children and staff
working together for the good of the learners. We are all part
of the same team. It is clear that the more extensive the parent
involvement, the higher the learner achievement. Where parents
are involved, learners achieve more, regardless of
socio-economic status or ethnic/racial background.
To provide the best learning environment for our learnerswe need to all co-operate with each other, forge a strong
community bond and communicate effectively.
Absences/Illnesses
We would appreciate it if children come to school on a regular
basis and that any appointments with doctors, dentists or
specialist are scheduled after schools hours if possible.
If children are ill, we encourage parents to let the school know
as soon as possible, particularly if it is an infectious
illness.
To ensure that we maintain respect for all the children and
staff in our school the following principles will be adhered to
at all times:
1.
No sick children will be allowed to be at school, the school’s
decision as to whether or not a child is well enough to be at
school will be final. A Directress who works with a child day
in, day out has a good sense of when a child is well enough to
be at school (in a similar way to which we as parents make
judgments around this)
2.
It is not the school’s responsibility to look after sick
children, it is the parents responsibility to ensure that they
have adequate support in place to deal with sick children.
3.
It is the responsibility of the school to notify parents of sick
children, parents must then collect their child within a
reasonable period, the schools decision regarding whether or not
a child is too sick to be at school is final, unless otherwise
proven by a qualified Medical Doctor.
4.
Parents have a responsibility to ensure that they, or within
their nominated list of contacts, are contactable whilst their
children are at school.
5.
The school will keep all parents updated on unusual outbreaks of
illnesses.
6.
NO
medication will be administered by the school with some obvious
exceptions relating to allergies and chronic medication
(diabetics for example).
7.
Children on antibiotics should not attend school until they have
finished their medication.
8.
A doctors letter is required, to re-admit following serious and
contagious illnesses.
9.
If your child is allergic to anything, make sure that you give
detailed instructions to the staff.
10.
In the case of a long absence due to illness, arrangements will
be made for your child to be given extra assistance in ‘catching
up’ the lost time.
Half-Day:
Headstart provides a mid-morning snack however; parents are to
pack in lunch for their children for the 11h30 lunch break.
Full-Day:
Headstart provides a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack for the
full-day children. Parents are to pack lunch for their children,
both for the 11h30 lunch break as well as provide an additional
afternoon lunch for their child.
Birthday Policies
Birthdays, whether culturally or religiously acceptable, remain
a highlight of a child’s year at school. We will always
celebrate a birthday as a community event, with the ‘birthday
child’ being feted and made to feel special.
If you would like to share in this celebration by donating a
book to the school that would be permanently inscribed with your
child’s name that would be greatly appreciated.
Please liaise with the Head of School if you would like to
supply the snack for your child’s birthday.