Is my child ready to start primary school?

“Will my child be able to keep up in class? Will they make friends? Will they be able to go without me for a longer school day? Will they enjoy school and feel confident to try new things?” These are some of the questions that parents may have as their children near school-going age.

Starting “big school” is a major milestone for every child and something that’s both exciting and potentially scary. But how do you know if your child is ready?

According to Dr Jenny Wright, Pre- and Primary School Curriculum Head at Curro Holdings, it is important that preschools prioritise their school readiness approach. This will ensure that children and parents navigate the transition from preschool to primary school with ease.

She cites Dr Melodie de Jager, founder of the Mind Moves Institute and early childhood development specialist, who says there are three major milestones that signify readiness for primary school:

  • The child can sit still and sit straight. Dr Wright says that this requires core strength, achieved through hours of physical play. Children also need to be able to manage themselves (to self-regulate) for long enough to learn from their seat in the classroom
  • The child can listen to instructions and make a connection between a sound and a picture. This will have come through hours of listening to stories, songs, rhymes and exercises focusing on the ability to work with sounds in spoken language.  
  • The child can grip a pencil with ease. This is learned through fine-motor development play, such as tearing paper, playing with blocks and lego, creating art and patterns, with various media, and manipulating playdough, sand and water.  

Beyond these milestones, Dr Wright says the most important thing a parent needs to check is whether the child feels confident. “Are they sure of their ability to problem solve and do things independently?” she says. “Children should not begin Grade 1 before the age of six because they need to be socially and emotionally ready as well as physically and cognitively. All of these factors play a crucial role in learning, coping and belonging at school.”

Parents have an important role to play in building a child’s confidence. “Parents need to build a child’s sense of belonging,” says Dr Wright. “A child’s need to feel loved unconditionally is fundamental to their ability to achieve independence and self-confidence. Parents can assist in building a sense of achievement when children manage tasks independently, listen to and follow instructions, or show emotional control and consideration for others. All of these “skills” can be fostered and developed at home and stand a child in good stead for a positive start to primary school.”

Grade R is for “ready”

Dr Wright says that preschool focuses on early childhood development and that this continues in Grade R. During this ‘reception’ year many multi-sensory activities help children to learn concretely, and thus prepare them for the world of symbols and numbers in Grade 1. 

“At Curro, we understand the significance of Grade R in a child’s schooling journey,” she says. “When approached correctly, this foundation can have a major impact on the child’s life-long self-confidence and future academic success. The play-based, skills-based approach followed in our Grade R classrooms is designed to prepare children holistically for the transition to formal learning in Grade 1. The emphasis in Grade R is on purposeful, often teacher-directed play intended to build physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. This approach enables children to think, plan, make decisions, and problem-solve; all the while building the essential core strength and physical agility that will be required in a formal, paper-based setting.”

She adds that it’s important to allow children to progress and reach their milestones at their own pace. “Some children are developmentally ahead of their peers at the start of Grade 1, but their friends soon catch up. A child should never feel that they are ‘behind’, as a knock to their self-confidence at this stage can be very damaging to their future confidence – even at Grade 12-level. It is important to remember that children starting in Grade 1 are still effectively Grade R learners and should be seen as such. Children learn at their own pace and have their own individual learning styles and needs. Parents and schools should recognise children’s individuality.”

For more information about Curro’s preschool and Grade R offering, visit curro.co.za.

References 

  • De Jager, M, Efimove, O. and Efimova, V. (2020) GRAVITY – A missing link in child development. Johannesburg, Mind Moves Institute Publishing.
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Here’s How Tax Relief for Neurodivergent Kids Actually Works

If you’re raising a neurodivergent child in South Africa, you’re already doing a lot.

Appointments. School meetings. Forms. “Can you just send that report again?” moments. The daily juggling act of home + school + therapy + life.

So when someone says, “You might be able to claim tax relief,” it can feel like one more admin mountain… right when you’re already running on fumes.

Here’s the good news: tax relief is available, and there’s a real framework designed to give families some breathing room.

The bad news is: it’s not always obvious how it works, and the internet is full of conflicting advice.

This guide will help you understand the basics without spiralling.

Tax relief is available in South Africa

South Africa’s tax system includes support for families who carry additional medical and care costs. The main mechanism is the Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC).

It’s not a cash payout. It’s a tax credit that reduces the amount of normal tax you pay.

For many families, it becomes a crucial “safety valve”, especially when you’re paying for the kind of support your child needs to function well in the real world.

Where neurodiversity fits into the SARS framework

SARS doesn’t have a neat category called “neurodivergence.”

Instead, conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and PDA are considered based on their functional impact, in other words, how much they limit day-to-day life.

For tax purposes, a “disability” is defined as a moderate to severe limitation in a person’s ability to function or perform daily activities (including learning, thinking, communicating).

If your child’s challenges create a moderate to severe limitation that is expected to last more than a year, your family may qualify for tax relief.

If the limitations are considered milder, the condition may fall under what SARS calls a “physical impairment.” (Despite the name, this category isn’t limited to physical conditions and can still apply in some neurodevelopmental contexts.) 

Relief may still be available, but often with different thresholds and limits.

The common misunderstanding that trips parents up

One of the biggest myths is:

“If I have the diagnosis, we automatically qualify.”

Not necessarily.

SARS looks at whether the condition remains a significant limitation even after what it calls “maximum correction” (including appropriate therapy, treatment, or medication).

Because every child is different, eligibility is assessed case by case. Two families can have the same diagnosis and still have different outcomes depending on how the condition impacts daily functioning.

Which is frustrating, yes.
But also: it’s why getting clarity early matters.

Why paperwork and medical confirmation matter (even if you hate admin)

The admin requirements can feel like adding weight to an already heavy load.

But they’re also the keys to unlocking tax relief.

A diagnosis label isn’t enough. You need formal medical confirmation from a registered practitioner who is trained to give an opinion on your child’s condition.

The key document is the ITR-DD form (Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability).

Whether this form is required in your situation can depend on how your child’s needs are classified (which is exactly where many parents get stuck).

Important: you typically don’t submit the form with your annual return, but you must keep it, along with invoices and proof of payments, for at least five years. 

SARS often verifies these claims, so having your paperwork organised from the start protects you later.

Think of it like this: a few clicks to save documents today can save you hours of stress later.

You don’t have to figure it all out today

If this feels complex, you’re not meant to decode it alone in between lunchboxes and meltdowns.

So we created a simple starting point for parents:

✅ Download the tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/
 A clear summary of what you need to know (and what to gather), without the jargon.

Supporting a neurodivergent child requires enough time, energy, and emotional bandwidth as it is. Tax admin shouldn’t be another thing you have to white-knuckle your way through.

Start with the cheat sheet.
Get the lay of the land.
And take it one step at a time.

👉 Download the free tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/

Disclaimer:

This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, and eligibility for tax relief is assessed by SARS on a case-by-case basis. We recommend consulting a registered tax practitioner or qualified professional before submitting any tax claims

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Dibber The Whisken Officially Opens: Bringing Heart-Led Learning to Midrand Preschoolers

“Our mission is to embark as many children as possible on a magical learning journey – giving them the best start in life and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”
— Hans Jacob Sundby, Founder, Dibber International Preschools

Crowthorne, Midrand – Today marked the official opening of Dibber The Whisken. This brand-new early childhood development centre is situated in the heart of the Whisken Lifestyle Estate on Whisken Avenue. The new campus is the latest addition to Dibber’s growing family of international preschools in South Africa. It offers young children in the local community a nurturing and inspiring start to their learning journey.

Located in one of Gauteng’s vibrant residential hubs, Dibber The Whisken is set to become a cornerstone for families. It offers meaningful, values-driven early learning in a safe and stimulating environment. The school is led by principal Drew Ellis and her passionate team of educators. Bharti Daya, Dibber’s Pedagogy and Operational Lead for Montessori campuses in South Africa, provides pedagogical guidance.

With a global foundation across nine countries, Dibber is known for its heart-led early education. In South Africa, the network now spans 17 schools across Gauteng and the Western Cape. A new Western Cape campus opens in March. A franchise model will soon launch to expand access even further.

Dibber’s unique philosophy centres on nurturing the whole child, with a strong emphasis on the holistic development of the child. Every Dibber school is rooted in its local community. The curriculum combines global best practices with South African cultural richness and play-based discovery. Children are encouraged to explore, question, imagine, and connect. Engaged educators see and celebrate the individual strengths of every child.

“At Dibber, we believe children are the most important people in the world. That belief shapes everything we do – from how we build our classrooms to how we greet each child in the morning. With the opening of Dibber The Whisken, we’re so proud to extend this culture of care and curiosity to even more families,” said Lizelle ‘t Lam, Growth, Integration and Marketing Lead, Dibber South Africa. 

The Whisken campus offers Montessori-inspired classrooms and interactive outdoor play areas. The daily rhythm balances structure with creativity. Parents benefit from Dibber’s emphasis on family partnerships, transparent communication, and values-based education.

Dibber invites all parents in the Midrand and greater Johannesburg area to explore what makes its schools different. Open Days and enrolment tours are available upon request.

For more information, visit www.dibber.co.za or contact Dibber The Whisken directly – 0729975013 | [email protected]

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The Hidden Emotional Load on South African Parents – and How Early Years Education Can Support It

You know that moment when you are sitting in traffic, staring at the red brake lights ahead, and your mind is racing through the list: Did I pack the lunchbox? Did I pay the electricity bill? Will I make it to the office on time? And then, like a punch in the gut, the thought hits: Am I even doing enough for my child?

This is the reality for so many South African parents. We are carrying an invisible weight that no one sees, the emotional load that comes with raising children in a country where safety concerns, economic uncertainty, and relentless work-life pressure collide every single day. It is not just about getting through the day; it is about holding it all together while the ground beneath us feels shaky.

We wake up to headlines about rising costs, load-shedding schedules, and crime alerts. Then we rush to pack lunchboxes, navigate traffic, and show up at work like everything is fine. But beneath the surface, many of us are running on fumes, trying to be present for our children while silently wondering if we are failing them. Parenting here is not about perfection. It is about survival. And yet, in the middle of this chaos, something powerful often goes unnoticed: the role of early childhood education in lightening that load.

Because here is the truth: when parents feel supported, children thrive. High-quality early childhood education does not just teach ABCs; it becomes an emotional anchor for families. It is the teacher who notices your child’s anxious face and gently reassures them. It is the predictable routine that gives your little one stability, so you can breathe a little easier. It is the educator who greets you by name, shares a small win about your child, and reminds you that you are doing an excellent job, even on the days you feel like you are barely holding on.

Schools like Dibber understand this. They do not see parents as people who simply “drop and go.” They see you as partners. They know that when you walk through the door, you are not just handing over a child, you are handing over your heart, your worries, your hopes. And they meet that with Heart Culture: a way of being that says, “We see you. We are with you.” It is the quiet reassurance that you are not alone in this. It is sending a photo of your child’s joyful moment during the day so that, stuck in traffic, you feel connected instead of guilty. It is creating spaces where children feel loved, and parents feel seen.

Imagine this: a mom who has been up all night worrying about bills walks into a centre where her child runs into the arms of someone who truly knows them. The teacher smiles, says, “He told me the funniest story today,” and suddenly, for a moment, the weight lifts. That moment matters. It is not just childcare; it is care for the whole family.

And here is the thing: you do not need a Pinterest-perfect routine to ease the emotional load. Start small. Create one predictable ritual, like a bedtime story or a morning hug. Name feelings aloud, for yourself and your child. “I’m tired today, but I’m happy to be with you.” Lean on your child’s educators, share what is hard, and celebrate what is working. Partnership starts with honesty.

Parenting in South Africa is tough, but you are not alone. When early years education is done right, it does not just shape children; it strengthens families. It reminds parents that they do not have to carry the emotional load alone. And in a world that feels uncertain, that kind of support is everything.

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