On this page, we have created and designed the most practical and structured Grade R daily programme for your classroom or learning centre in 2025. It is meant to guide teachers, assistants, and parents through a clear routine that supports school readiness while still keeping learning fun and active.
We have also included full daily programmes for all early childhood development stages leading up to Grade R, such as:
- Infants (3–8 months)
- Young Toddlers (8–18 months)
- Older Toddlers (18–24 months)
- Pre-2 to 3 Year Olds (24–36 months)
- Preschoolers (3–4 years)
- Pre-Grade R (4–5 years)
This Grade R daily programme is in line with the requirements and structure encouraged by the South African Department of Basic Education for Grade R learners, focusing on early literacy, numeracy, life skills, physical development, and social interaction. Each activity is designed to meet developmental milestones and ensure your child is ready for Grade 1.
Grade R Daily Programme
Age Group: 5 – 6 Years
This daily schedule is designed for children in Grade R. It balances structured learning with movement, play, and rest. The aim is to prepare learners for Grade 1 by building independence, focus, social skills, and foundation knowledge.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival and Morning Register |
| 07:30 – 07:45 | Outside Free Play |
| 07:45 – 08:00 | Breakfast |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Bathroom Routine and Settling Down |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Morning Ring and Theme Discussion |
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Table Activities: Literacy, Numeracy, Life Skills |
| 09:45 – 10:20 | Music, Movement, and Gross Motor Activities |
| 10:20 – 10:40 | Snack Time |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | Bathroom Routine and Tidy-Up |
| 11:00 – 11:55 | Outdoor Play (Structured and Free Play) |
| 11:55 – 12:00 | Handwashing Before Lunch |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | Lunch Time |
| 12:20 – 13:00 | Story Time or Educational Free Play |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Home Time (Half-day learners) |
| 14:00 – 17:30 | Aftercare: Games, Quiet Play, and Afternoon Snack |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 4 – 5 Years
Age Group: 4 – 5 Years
This group focuses more on fine motor skills, pre-literacy and numeracy concepts, and increasing independence. The activities start getting a bit more structured but still have flexibility for creative play.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival in class and Register |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Outside Play |
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Breakfast |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Bathroom Routine |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Theme Discussion / Morning Ring / Numeracy / Gross Motor |
| 09:00 – 09:40 | Art Activities |
| 09:40 – 10:00 | Snack Time |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Bathroom / Tidy Up Class / Free Play |
| 10:45 – 12:00 | Outside Play |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Lunch Time |
| 12:30 – 12:45 | Story Time |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | Nap Time (Terms 1 and 2 only) |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Home Time (for half-day learners) |
| 13:30 – 17:30 | Aftercare in Activity Centre |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 3 – 4 Years
Age Group: 3 – 4 Years
This group focuses on early social skills, basic structure and routine, sensory development, and movement-based learning. Activities are kept short and engaging to match their attention span.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival in class and Register |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Outside Play |
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Breakfast |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Bathroom Routine |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Theme Discussion / Morning Ring / Numeracy / Gross Motor |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Music and Movement |
| 09:30 – 10:00 | Table Top Activities |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Art Activities and Snack Time |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Bathroom / Tidy Up Class |
| 10:45 – 11:55 | Outside Play |
| 11:55 – 12:10 | Lunch Time |
| 12:10 – 12:20 | Story Time |
| 12:20 – 14:00 | Nap Time |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Home Time (for half-day learners) |
| 14:00 – 17:30 | Aftercare in Activity Centre |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 2 – 3 Years
Age Group: 2 – 3 Years
This group supports toilet training, interactive group activities, and longer focus times. There is a stronger rhythm to their day.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival and Register |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Outside Play |
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Breakfast |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Bathroom Routine |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Theme Discussion / Morning Ring / Gross Motor Skills |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Outside Play |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Snack Time |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Toilet and Bathroom Routine |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Art and Educational Activity |
| 11:00 – 11:10 | Story Time |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Outside Play |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch and Bathroom Routine |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Nap Time |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Home Time (for half-day learners) |
| 14:00 – 17:30 | Aftercare and Afternoon Activities |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 18 – 24 Months
Age Group: 18 – 24 Months
This age group blends care routines with growing independence, movement, and simple structured play.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 08:00 | Arrival and Settling In |
| 07:45 – 08:05 | Breakfast |
| 08:05 – 08:10 | Morning Ring |
| 08:10 – 08:40 | Nappy Change and Indoor Free Play |
| 08:40 – 08:50 | Story Time |
| 08:50 – 09:00 | Music Ring |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Indoor Activities (Sensory or Creative) |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Snack Time |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Outdoor Play |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Nappy Change |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch Time |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Afternoon Nap |
| 13:30 – 17:30 | Aftercare and Afternoon Activities |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 8 – 18 Months
Age Group: 8 – 18 Months
This group continues the baby-care routine with increased stimulation and structure, supporting crawling, walking, and simple group activity.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival in communal class at the baby section |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Free play in own class while other Stars arrive |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Breakfast for those on solids |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Nappy Change (1) and Free Play |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Morning Nap |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Nappy Change (2) and Educational Play |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Bottle Feed (1) |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Educational Play |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch for those on solids |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Nappy Change (3) and Face/Hand Clean-up |
| 12:15 – 14:00 | Nap Time |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Nappy Change (4) and Free Play |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Bottle Feed (2) and Snacks (where provided) |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Free Play |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Nappy Change (5) and Prepare for Home Time |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Afternoon Nap or Free Play |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | Free Play until collection |
Preschool Daily Programme – Age Group: 3 – 8 Months
Age Group: 3 – 8 Months
This group focuses on nurturing care, sensory play, and developmental routines in a calm, baby-friendly space.
Daily Routine Table
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 07:00 – 07:30 | Arrival in communal class at the baby section |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Free play in own class while other Stars arrive |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Breakfast for those on solids |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Nappy Change (1) and Free Play |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Morning Nap |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Nappy Change (2) and Educational Play |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Bottle Feed (1) |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Educational Play |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Lunch for those on solids |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Nappy Change (3) and Face/Hand Clean-up |
| 12:15 – 14:00 | Nap Time |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Nappy Change (4) and Free Play |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Bottle Feed (2) and Snacks (where provided) |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Free Play |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Nappy Change (5) and Prepare for Home Time |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Afternoon Nap or Free Play |
| 17:30 – 18:00 | Free Play until collection |
PDF Download