Grantleigh Nursery School | Richards Bay

A Nurturing Start in Richards Bay

Located in the heart of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, Grantleigh Nursery School offers a vibrant, safe, and stimulating environment for children aged 2 years (turning 3) to 5 years. As part of the esteemed Curro school group, we provide high-quality early childhood development that balances structured learning with the joy of childhood. With convenient school transport and early drop-off times, we support the logistics of modern family life while ensuring your child receives the best start.

Learning Through Play: The Natural Way

We believe that play is the work of childhood. Research shows that children learn faster and retain information better when they are actively discovering the world around them, rather than sitting in a forced learning environment. Our programme focuses on development through play rather than strict milestones. This ensures that every child feels supported and encouraged, eliminating anxiety and allowing them to grow at their own unique pace.

Holistic Development Areas

Our programme is designed to support physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. From sensory exploration to foundational academic concepts, we cover it all:

• Mathematics: Understanding shapes, sizes, time, counting, and basic arithmetic through building blocks and object manipulation.
• Communication: Enhancing speech, listening, reading comprehension, and understanding.
• Creativity: Expressing imagination through drawing, painting, dancing, and fine motor development.
• Physical Well-being: Promoting balance, movement, and safety.
• Identity and Belonging: Cultivating personality, morals, friendship, and sharing.

Igniting Imagination with Loose-Parts Play

Critical thinking starts with curiosity. Unlike single-purpose toys that limit imagination, we encourage loose-parts play using multi-purpose objects. This stimulates natural curiosity, allowing children to explore concepts like stacking, rolling, and fitting. This method fosters problem-solving skills and creativity that will serve them well into the future.

Fun Within a Framework
Our daily routine is carefully structured to provide the stability and safety children crave, while leaving ample room for spontaneity. The schedule balances creative activities, running, playing, singing, and dancing, ensuring that learning is always an adventure.

The Curro Advantage

Joining Grantleigh means becoming part of a wider family. Learners enjoy preferential placement when applying to us from any school in the Curro group. Should your family relocate, we assist with a seamless transfer process, ensuring your child’s education continues without interruption.

At Grantleigh Nursery School, we don't just teach; we nurture, care, and entertain. Explore our website to discover the wonderful journey awaiting your child.

Supporting Working Families

We understand that modern family schedules can be demanding. To support you, our nursery school remains open until late in the afternoon. While our core developmental programme takes place during the morning to ensure optimal learning, the afternoons are dedicated to supervised free play in our beautiful classrooms and play areas. For your peace of mind, we enforce strict pickup protocols, ensuring that children are released only to authorised individuals.

Holiday Care at No Extra Cost

Because working parents don't get school holidays, neither do we. Our preschool remains open throughout the school holidays, offering a full holiday-care programme at no additional cost. This ensures your child stays engaged, cared for, and entertained while you work. We are closed only for a short, specified period during December and January.

Reliable School Transport

We aim to make your daily logistics as effortless as possible with our school transport service (available at an additional cost). Our bus routes operate one-way or return, covering the following areas:

• Monzi, St Lucia, and Mtuba
• Meerensee, Empangeni, and Arboretum
• Umfolozi and Mtunzini
• Kwambonambi
• Hluhluwe (Monday mornings and Friday afternoons)

Individualized Care and Safety

Small Classes, Big Hearts
Our classes are carefully divided by age, and every teacher is supported by one or more assistants depending on the group size. We maintain higher staff-to-child ratios for babies and younger children, ensuring they receive the unique care and attention they need to flourish.

Health and Safety
Active children love to run, climb, and jump, which can sometimes lead to minor bumps. To ensure their well-being, we have a registered nurse on-site. Regarding medication, we adhere strictly to national regulations: we will only dispense medicine in class if provided with a valid prescription signed by a medical doctor.

Inspiring Learning Environments

We view our classrooms as "inanimate teachers." They are purposefully designed to be visually and tactilely stimulating while allowing maximum room for movement and play. By involving the physical environment in the learning experience, your child is engaged in early childhood development even when simply enjoying lounge time with friends.

A Proud Heritage of Excellence

Grantleigh is a school built on passion, community need, and strong values. Founded in 1996 by Fred and Renette Grant on their Mposa farm, the school began with humble roots—teaching 16 nursery-school learners and 5 junior-preparatory learners on the founders' veranda and in their TV room. Swimming lessons were held in the family pool, and cricket was played on the tennis court.

Driven by a vision to provide a well-rounded education based on Christian values (ethics and morals), the school grew rapidly. By 2014, Grantleigh joined the Curro school group as a Curro Select school. Today, we continue to honour our heritage while providing world-class education to the wider Richards Bay area, helping every child reach their dreams.