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A child learning at The Cradle

School readiness, 24 - 36 months

Confident, curious and ready for big school

The year before school shapes everything that follows. We build the language, numbers, focus and quiet confidence your child carries into their first classroom, for ages 24 to 36 months.

The stage

The foundation that makes school feel easy

Children who start school ready settle faster, make friends sooner and learn with confidence. We spend this year building exactly that, the early language, numbers and thinking skills schools look for, alongside the focus and independence to use them.

It still happens through play, never pressure. Our facilitators stretch each child gently, track their progress through continuous assessments, and share it all with you in the app, so there are no surprises on the first day of big school.

24 - 36
Months of age
4
Areas of development
100%
School ready focus
A child working at a table at The Cradle

What they master

The building blocks of a great start

Everything a child needs to walk into their first classroom feeling capable and calm.

Early language and literacy

Recognising letters and sounds, growing vocabulary and a real love of stories and books.

Numbers and thinking

Counting, shapes, patterns and simple problem solving that lay the groundwork for maths.

Confidence and self belief

Speaking up, trying new things and feeling proud of what they can do on their own.

Social and emotional skills

Sharing, listening, making friends and managing feelings, the heart of school life.

Focus and routine

Following instructions, sitting for an activity and moving through a structured day.

Creativity and fine motor

Drawing, painting and holding a crayon, building the hand control for early writing.

Ready for the classroom

What school ready looks like

By the time your child leaves us for kindergarten, these are the everyday skills they take with them, each one tracked and shared with you through their continuous assessments.

A child learning at The Cradle
A child practising early writing

The readiness checklist

  • Recognising letters and numbers

    Naming letters, matching sounds and counting with understanding.

  • Holding a crayon and early writing

    The fine motor control to draw shapes and form first marks and letters.

  • Following two step instructions

    Listening, understanding and carrying out what is asked of them.

  • Expressing ideas clearly

    Speaking in full sentences, asking questions and telling their own stories.

  • Confidence and independence

    Settling without you, managing themselves and trying things on their own.

Why parents trust us

A confident handover to big school

Continuous assessments

Your child's progress measured and shared with you, so you always know where they stand.

A proven curriculum

A play based brain stimulation curriculum refined with children since 2014.

Skilled facilitators

Competent, passionate teachers who know how to ready a child without rushing them.

Followed in the app

Milestones, photos and notes from the day, shared with you live wherever you are.

Ready when you are

Set your child up for a strong start

Book a visit to Ntinda or Buwaate, meet the facilitators preparing your child for school, and see our curriculum in action before you enrol.

The parent app

Follow every step

Watch your child grow towards school with milestones, photos and assessments in the parent app.

See the app