The Little Graduate Academy

Services

Communication

Our Teachers and Caregivers at the Little Graduate Academy use a daily communication journal which provides feedback to the parent.

Important information regarding your baby’s breakfast, lunch, nap times, administering of medication, nappy usage, stimulation activities etc. is recorded daily in a weekly record structure.

Communication letters are sent out periodically and Newsletters monthly, keeping our parents up-to-date of all happenings at school.

Safety First

Keeping children safe is our TOP priority.

The following security and safety interventions apply at all times:

Biometric finger-print access control
Security guard on-site
Armed response and paramedics
Qualified first aid officer and CPR marshal on-site
Purified water dispensers or tap systems
Sterilisation of all equipment
All cleaning materials and products are child friendly and eco-friendly
Implemented Air Care UVC Sanitisers to maximize a germ-free environment
Monthly Pest Control services to maintain our Academy in a clean, tip-top condition
Implemented hand drying-air machines
Steiner Hygiene pop-up wet-wipe machines for cleaning hands, mouths and bums (no face cloths)

Parental Surveillance Cameras

Our Academy is fully equipped with surveilance cameras to cover all our class rooms, changing areas as well as our inside/outside playground areas. Cameras also cover the entrance and exit gates in the parking area.

The cameras are for the benefit of all our babies and to provide our parents 100 % assurance of the safety and care The Baby Academy provides.

If an unfortunate incident should occur, we invite our Parents to view the recorded version of the incident.

Designated branches are linked to the web camera where parents can log in and view their little ones during the day from their computer at work or from home. Parents will receive a new log-in access code every 6 months. Please do not share your code with others in order for us to keep the security and privacy of the school restricted at all times.

Holiday Program

We follow the Government school terms accordingly. This means that our activities and stimulation programs are specifically planned for each term.

During school holidays, we follow a special planned holiday progam where fun activities are offered such as dress-up themes, popcorn-and-movie-time to name but a few.

Free Afternoon Care

Care after 13:00 is provided to our children free of charge, as our Teachers will prepare for the following days’ activities providing our learners the opportunity for free-play in the afternoons. We ensure that we also accommodate our full working day parents to 17:30 in this regard.

Facebook

Follow the link to your preferred branch/academy. Click on their Facebook site and LIKE our page. You will automatically be updated on our Facebook profile and this will enable you to view your little one’s photos taken during the month. The photographs are saved in different sections e.g. birthdays of the month, class activities, extra murals, outside play etc.

Inform your family and friends about our facebook site. Please remember to give your comments when you visit us on facebook. We appreciate the feedback and love to read your messages.

What a lovely way to show-off your little ones to your family and friends and view the many surprises your babies and toddlers may have up their sleeves!!

Grooming Service

A Kiddy Hair Stylist will visit us every month, should you be inetrested in this service. We will inform you prior to the date of her visit. Preference and style of hair-cuts will be jotted down as per the parent’s instruction.

Qualified & Registered Nurse

Vaccination services are offered to all children at The Little Graduate Academy branches on a monthly basis.

Parents will receive a letter regarding vaccination services and dates available at the Academy. Should you be interested in the service, your child’s immunisation record is required and must be sent to the academy on the day of immunisation as well as proof of payment of the vaccine to be given.

A receipt will be issued and the parents can claim from their medical aid. The Nurse will STRICTLY only vaccinate on the parents request and consent.

A full developmental assessment, weight, length and head circumference will also be done on the child with a report to the parents.

Operating Times

Operating Hours

Our Academy hours have been designed to suit the needs of our parents.

Our Teachers and Caregivers follow a specific daily program for each age group. Kindly ensure to bring your child NO LATER than 08:00 in the mornings to start with their daily activities.

Our babies and toddlers have their afternoon nap from 11:45 to 14:00. You are welcome to collect your child from 14:15 onwards. Should you wish to fetch your child before 14:15, kindly inform us in the morning or via telephone call in order for your child to be ready at the requested time.

Half day:

06:45 – 14:15

Full day:

06:45 – 17:30

Holiday & Public Holiday Time Table

The Little Graduate Academy will close at 12:00 on 05 December 2014 for our Staff Christmas function.
The Little Graduate Academy will close at 17:30 on 12 December 2014 for the Christmas holiday season.

2015

The Little Graduate Academy will re-open on Wednesday, 07 January 2015.
The Little Graduate Academy will be closed on Monday, 15 June 2015 as well as Friday 25 September 2015. Both of these dates have been declared as School Government holidays and therefore will these 2 dates form part of our annual leave days during the year.
The Little Graduate Academy will close at 12:00 on 04 December 2015 for our Staff’s Christmas function.
The Little Graduate Academy will close at 17:30 for the Christmas holiday season on 11 December 2015. We will re-open on Tuesday, the 5th of January 2016.
We are also closed on public holidays, weekends and ”specific” school days identified by the School Government Department.

For your ease of reference, please see the detailed table below, for the remainder of 01 October 2014 to 12 December 2014:

SPECIFIED PUBLIC & GOVERNMENT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS (October – December 2014)
Friday	03 October	Schools 3^rd term ends	Stimulation activities end
Monday	06 October	*Holiday Program Begins*
Friday	10 October	*Holiday Program Ends*
Monday	13 October	Schools 4^th term begins	Stimulation activities begin
Monday	01 December	*Holiday Program Begins*
Friday	05 December	The Little Graduate Academy Wilropark close @ 12:00	Staff Christmas lunch
Friday	12 December	*Holiday Program Ends*
		The Little Graduate Academy Wilropark close @ 17:30	December holidays (12)
Wednesday	07 January ‘15	THE LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY	RE-OPEN FOR 2015
	14 January ‘15	Schools 1^st term begins	Stimulation activities begin

For your ease of reference, please see the detailed table below, from 07 January 2015 to 11 December 2015:

SPECIFIED PUBLIC & GOVERNMENT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS (Jan – December 2015)
Wednesday	07 Jan	THE LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY	OPEN FOR 2015
Wednesday	14 Jan	1^st term begins	Stimulation activities begin

Saturday	21 March	Human Rights day	Public Holiday, school closed
Wednesday	25 March	1^st term ends	Stimulation activities end
Thursday	26 March	*Holiday Program Begins*

Friday	03 April	Good Friday	Public Holiday, school closed
Monday	06 April	Family Day	Public Holiday, school closed
Friday	10 April	*Holiday Program Ends*
Monday	13 April	2^nd term begins	Stimulation activities begin
Monday	27 April	Freedom Day	Public holiday, school closed

Friday	01 May	Worker’s Day	Public Holiday, school closed

Monday	15 June	Government school holiday	School closed (1)
Tuesday	16 June	Youth day	Public Holiday, school closed
Friday	26 June	Schools 2^nd term ends	Stimulation activities end
Monday	29 June	*Holiday Program Begins*

Friday	17 July	*Holiday Program Ends*
Monday	20 July	Schools 3^rd term begins	Stimulation activities begin

Sunday	09 August	National Women’s day	Public holiday
Monday	10 August	Public Holiday	Public Holiday

Thursday	24 September	Heritage day	Public holiday, school closed
Friday	25 September	Government school holiday	School closed (2)

Friday	02 October	Schools 3^rd term ends	Stimulation activities end
Monday	05 October	*Holiday Program Begins*
Friday	09 October	*Holiday Program Ends*
Monday	12 October	Schools 4^th term begins	Stimulation activities begin

Friday	27 November	The Little Graduate Academy 4^th term ends	Stimulation activities end
Tuesday	01 December	*Holiday Program Begins*
Friday	04 December	The Little Graduate Academy close @ 12:00	Staff Christmas lunch
Wednesday	09 December	Schools 4^th term ends
Friday	11 December	*Holiday Program Ends*
		The Little Graduate Academy close @ 17:30	December holidays (13)

Tuesday	05 January 2016	THE LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY	RE-OPEN FOR 2016
	January	Schools 1^st term begins	Stimulation activities begin

Important note: These dates are subject to change as per government notice

Curriculum & Educational Programme

Our Curriculum and Educational programme is aligned with the latest Early Childhood Development policies in South Africa, incorporating the best local and international trends in education.

The PRACTICA age appropriate learning programme for babies aged 3 months to 18 months is applied. It unlocks the baby’s full potential through play and encourages each baby to reach certain goals and develop specific baby milestones age-appropriately. We ensure to use our Baby Gym equipment daily to encourage Play through Learning. This is done in a fun and musical environment with small supervised groups in order to provide enough hands-on assistance for encouragement and safety.

Babynastics is another stimulation and development programme that forms part of our Baby curriculum. The progamme develops little bodies and minds and we incorporate the programme into our Baby Massage program weekly. The Baby Massage stimulation programme is done by a trained staff member (who attended an accredited Baby Massage course) in a relaxed and warm atmosphere with soft relaxing music being played.

The older babies (18 – 24 months old) need more structured stimulation programmes and these are presented in a playful, yet concrete way. The outcomes embedded in our curriculum, educational and development plan include:

Potty-training
Language development: Afrikaans and English
Physical stimulation and development (Baby massage and Babynastics programme)
Personal, social and emotional development
Creative development and art
Cognitive thinking and awareness
Memory skills
Numeracy skills
Knowledge and understanding of the world

Please note: We adjust our approach based on the physical and emotional readiness of each child.

In order to achieve the highest level of care and development within the Baby Academy, we limit the number of babies per caregiver.

Each child’s individual needs and development are accommodated through resource allocation applicable to the following three early childhood development phases:

	AGE (months)	NUMBER (per class)	STAFF AND SUPPORT
Group 1:	3 - 9	10 - 12	1 Caregiver, 2 assistants and an additional assistant shared between Group 1 and Group 2
Group 2:	9 - 18	10 - 12	1 Caregiver, 2 assistants and an additional assistant shared between Group 1 and Group 2
Group 3:	18 - 24	16 - 20	1 Caregiver and 2 assistants

Staff

All of The Baby Academy staff members are completely dedicated to the healthy environment of our babies in our Academy.

Our Care givers are trained in First Aid and CPR and they attend refresher courses twice a year. Edu-Care training and regular updated In-house training also form part of their proficiency in providing individual care and attention to your baby. They follow daily worked-out stimulation programmes to stimulate your baby according to their development needs.

Our Assistants in the Baby Academy are also trained and experienced and further training ensures that all staff is fully equipped to perform their daily duties in a proficient and adequate manner.

The internal members of The Baby Academy team include:

Owner / Franchisee
Office / Receptionist / Principal
Care givers
Assistants / Cleaners
Gardener / Security personnel

Extra-mural Activities

The Little Graduate Academy Group offer a number of fun and educational extra-mural activities presented at our premises weekly and during school terms only.

These extra-murals may vary from branch to branch.

It is optional and payments for these activities are payable separately to the Instructor of the specific extra mural activity. Payment details for the extra mural activities are available on their info brochures.

KINDERMUSIK (3 months – 7 years)

Kindermusik has a learning purpose for every child. It helps the child to receive the full developmental benefits of music and movement. It is not about making little Mozarts. It’s about developing life-enhancing skills, for children age of 0 - 7 years – cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and musical.

A qualified Kindermusik Instructor will be visiting us weekly for a 30 minute session per group of 12 children. More information is available via the Kindermusik brochure.
MONKEYNASTICS (18 months – 7 years)

Monkeynastics operates with the philosophy to teach children

in a fun, safe environment and raise levels of self-confidence. This is a circular goal with no beginning and no end, but which continually feeds on the nourishment of the opportunity to move.

Their fun and creative approach to movement allows children to be children again. Monkeynastics is a broad-based, holistic program that combines creativity, music and storytelling with basic training in flexibility, balance, strength, agility, co-ordination and body awareness. Your child will love each energy-packed lesson. More information is available via the Monkeynastics brochure.

Nutrition

Feeding the Brain for Development and Success

The brain neurons need good fats, protein, complex carbohydrates, micronutrients- vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients- and water. These nutrients are used to drive the learning functions of neurons.

The Little Graduate Academy Group prepares a scientific and balanced diet that nourishes and feed the brain to optimize the internal environment, enabling the babies and toddlers to develop and achieve their full potential.

Breakfast

Parents of younger babies, 3 - 6 months of age, are required to send their babies own breakfast to school daily.

We provide breakfast for babies only from the age of 7 months and older. A wholesome breakfast is served every morning from 07:45 to 08:00.

Snack times

We provide snacks for toddlers from the age of 12 months and older.

Snack times are at 10:15 in the morning and 14:30 in the afternoon.

Fruit is daily served as the mid-morning snack and jelly, baby finger biscuits or small cut sandwiches are usually served as the mid-afternoon snack.

Late Afternoon Snack time: 16:00

Parents are required to send a late afternoon snack from home for those babies and toddlers staying later than 16:00. We find that without a snack at 16:00, babies and toddlers become very hungry and irritable, as it is a very long stretch for them before supper time!

Examples of healthy snacks: viennas, melrose cheese cubes, fruit sticks, and yoghurt. Please do not send chips, sweets or popcorn to school!

Milk Formula / Breast milk

Kindly send your daily measured formula for your baby to school. Please also ensure that your bottles are already filled with the measured water to enable us to only pour the measured formula and mix.

ONLY baby’s daily formula milk feeds and food is prepared and warmed-up in the microwave if required. Expressed breast milk will be warmed up in our bottle warmers.

Every baby has his/her own personal food-tray, kept in the kitchen. The tray is clearly marked with baby’s name and all of baby’s bottles, containers etc. are kept neatly in his/her own tray.

Kindly assist us and ensure that your baby/toddler’s bottles, milk containers, purity bottles etc. is always marked.

Lunch time

Babies, younger than 12 months

Parents of babies younger than 12 months are to send baby’s own lunch from home daily. You are welcome to send Purity veggies or your own cooked meals in little containers. Please ensure that you only send lunch on a daily basis and not for the week or month. Kindly ensure that frozen food is defrosted before sending it to school. This will help us to warm it faster and feed your hungry baby sooner.

Toddlers from the age of 12 months onwards

Lunch time is served at 11:30 to toddlers from the age of 12 months. Well balanced “toddler-friendly” nutritious meals are served. The age-appropriate toddler menu has been planned with the assistance of a dietician and consists of daily veggies, protein and carbohydrates.

Tuition Fees

School fees, Annual Registration and Development Fees may vary from branch to branch.

The yearly remuneration will be reviewed with effect from 1st January of each consecutive year of care of your child. There is a R100-00 discount applicable for the youngest sibling attending any of The Little Graduate Academy branches.

Monthly fees are calculated over an 11 month period, ending November. No fees will be payable for the month of December, but should you have joined during the year, a pro-rata fee will be payable for December.

Featherbrooke

Our school fee structure is as follows:

FEE STRUCTURE: 2015

Monthly Fee JAN – NOV (payable over 11 months)	R3 100-00
Registration & Development fund per annum (non-refundable):	R3 100-00

Registration & Development Fund

The fee is levied yearly on 01 October, should your child remain with The Little Graduate Academy the following year.
The Re-registration fee will confirm your child’s re-enrolment for the following year.
To pay the Registration & Development fund fee upfront as a once-off amount for the year, it simplifies admin for the Academy and budget planning for the parents.
Each of the Baby Academy sections have their own list of items required and budgeted from the Development Fund for your child’s yearly needs.

For example:

Toiletries: Hygienic wet-wipes are used to clean our children’s hands and mouths. We do not allow face cloths for hygienic purposes. Sunscreen, tissues, disposable nappy bags for dirty/wet clothes, body / face cream and vaseline are some of the toiletries supplied from the development fund.
Stationery: Each class will receive a stationery pack to be used for the year. We budget for each child in accordance with the class’ stationery requirement list.
School bag & other branded goodies: We will send your child’s journal home on a daily basis as well as class work from time-to-time. It is therefore important that all learners use the school’s branded Little Graduate Academy’s school bag. The bag is perfectly sized to fit neatly in our class “lockers”. Please note that your little one will receive a bag upon enrollment.; Various branded goodies may be included for the new year and which may form part of the Development fund, for e.g. a lunch box and water bottle / car sun visors / branded medicine container with syringes (a must-have for your little one’s medication usage at school) etc.
School T-Shirt & Hat: Your baby will receive a branded school t-shirt and hat upon enrollment.; All babies are expected to wear their special branded t-shirt and hat on specific theme days and for our in-house educational visits. Parents will be notified in advance when their children’s school branded clothing must be worn.
Bed linen: Your baby will sleep on a baby mattress during nap time and he/she will receive their own 2 x sets of mattress covers and pillow cases. Please ensure to clearly mark your child’s own linen to avoid confusion. Linen will be send home weekly on Fridays to be washed. Kindly ensure to return clean linen on Mondays.
Annual Individual photos / Class photo: Your child’s annual photos and class photo will be paid from the Development fund.
Welcome photo in the Entrance Hall: Upon enrollment, your little one will be photographed and a special baby Graduate photo will be placed on our Welcome wall in the Entrance hall.
Yearly Concert / Carols by Candle Light event: Your little ones love to act, and by providing them a chance to perform on the stage, is always very exciting and challenging! This is our biggest event of the year where we plan our concert as early as July. Your toddler’s concert clothes, individual concert photos and concert class photo will be paid from the Development fund.; Parents get involved and assist where and whenever possible. Tickets are sold to parents, families and friends on a first come-first-serve basis and is not payable from the Development fund. Look out for more news in our monthly newsletters with regards to exciting events etc. during the year!

KINDLY NOTE: All of the abovementioned have been budgeted and paid for upfront to our Suppliers.

The Registration & Development fund fee is non-refundable and eliminates the need for the Little Graduate Academy to request smaller fees for little extras and activities offered during the year.

Health Standards

The following health rules will be applicable but are not limited to the minimum standards set by the Health Department.

General

If your Child is sick, suffers from any ailment, or incurable illness, the Parent shall inform The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY thereof and The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY reserves the right to refuse care.

Immunisation and vaccination must be done in accordance with the prescribed laws and the Parent must present the necessary certificates at the request of The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY.

The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY shall inform the parent immediately should the Child, whilst he/she is in the care of The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY, fall ill or be injured. If The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY is reasonably of the opinion that the Child is at any stage too ill to be accepted for care, The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY may refuse to receive such Child for care.

If your child is too sick to play outside or take part in daily activities, the Parent shall not bring the child to The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY until the child is symptom free for at least 24 hours.

In the event of any emergency, The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY reserves the right to call for the assistance of accredited rescue personnel and The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY reserves the right to take the Child, for the account of the Parent, to the nearest Medical Facility.

(A copy of both parents medical aid card is to be provided).
Contagious Illnesses

If your Child contracts a children’s disease or any contagious sickness including HEADLICE and/or any contagious alimentary canal disorder, (i.e. Diarrhoea, Rotavirus and Gastro Enterities), eye infection (Pink Eyes), Hand-Foot-Mouth disease and H1N1 (Swine Flu) the Parent shall not bring the Child to The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY and undertakes to comply with the applicable health regulations. A Child’s recovery from the abovementioned illness or disorder must be confirmed by a certificate issued by medical practitioner before the Child is once again placed in the care of The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY.
Medication

Children who are sick and need Antibiotics or any prescribed medication, are required to stay home for at least the first 2 (two) days of treatment (48 hours). If further prescription medication is required to complete the prescription cycle, we shall after 2 days of home care, administer the medication on your written instruction.

All medicines to be administered to your Child, on your written instruction, must be provided in an already filled syringe and placed in a clearly marked container with your child’s name. Instructions regarding the type of medicines, the quantity to be administered and the frequency of the administration, must be furnished in writing by the Parent in the child’s Personal Book and recorded in the Office Medication Register, failing which The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY shall not be expected to administer any medication to your child. No exceptions will be made to this Rule.
Allergies

All allergies your child may suffer from must be clearly indicated on the Admittance Form and brought under the attention of the Manager and Teacher / Day Mother.

If your Child is in any way allergic to specific foods, The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY must be notified thereof and the Parent must supply such special food as is necessary. Baby milk, juices and purity food shall be supplied by the Parent to The LITTLE GRADUATE ACADEMY.

Gallery

Coming soon.

Baby Graduates

(3 months - 2 Years)