Choosing a Foundation Phase school has never been simple. Parents have always compared academic results, location, class sizes, sport, and affordability, and these remain important considerations. Class size in particular remains a pressing issue, with the Department of Basic Education reporting in 2026 that 43,677 additional classrooms are required to address overcrowding nationally.
Add to this a fast-changing classroom landscape: artificial intelligence has entered schools in ways few parents anticipated a few years ago, children are increasingly grappling with mental health challenges, and teachers are already stretched by oversized classes and simply don’t have enough time to give each child individual attention. At the same time, today’s children are growing up in a world where technology is evolving rapidly, information is instantly available, and many of the careers they’ll eventually pursue don’t yet exist. As a result, the questions parents ask when choosing a school may also need to evolve.
“The Foundation Phase is about far more than helping children learn to read, write, and count,” says Caroline Miller, Principal, Centennial Schools Sandton – Preparatory School “These early years shape how students approach challenges, start to believe in themselves and work with others, and develop a lifelong relationship with learning.”
Here are seven questions worth adding to your Foundation Phase selection checklist:
1. Does the school teach children how to think?
In a world where facts are available within seconds, critical thinking has become increasingly valuable.
Look for a school that encourages students to ask questions, investigate ideas, solve problems, and explain their thought processes instead of simply memorising information. Curiosity should be actively cultivated rather than treated as a personality trait.
2. How will the school get to know my child as an individual?
No two children learn in exactly the same way. Rather than asking how a school supports students who struggle, parents should ask how it identifies and develops every child’s strengths, interests, and learning style from the beginning.
This includes personalised learning and flexible teaching approaches that help each student progress at the pace that’s right for them. “This is why we introduced a model of two qualified teachers in every Foundation Phase Learning Hub (classroom) — to ensure that each child’s academic, emotional, and developmental needs are fully met,” says Miller.
3. How is technology used in everyday learning?
Technology should enhance learning, not simply replace books with screens.
Parents should explore whether students are learning to use digital tools responsibly and creatively by researching, designing, and collaborating. Increasingly, this also includes helping students understand how to use AI thoughtfully and ethically.
“As technology becomes part of everyday life, schools have a responsibility to help students become capable creators and critical thinkers, not simply proficient users,” adds Miller.
4. What happens when my child finds something difficult?
Every child encounters challenges. Rather than focusing only on extra support, ask how the school helps its students develop resilience. Does it encourage reflection and persistence? Do mistakes become opportunities for improvement, or something children learn to avoid?
A growth mindset often begins with understanding that progress rarely happens perfectly the first time.
5. Is emotional development valued alongside academic achievement?
The ability to regulate emotions, communicate effectively, work together, and build healthy relationships underpins success both inside and outside the Learning Hub.Parents should ask how schools intentionally develop emotional intelligence rather than assuming it develops naturally over time.
6. Does learning connect with the real world?
Even young children benefit from understanding why their learning matters. Look for a school where students solve authentic problems, work on meaningful projects, and make connections between Learning Hub learning and everyday life. These experiences help children develop a sense of purpose from an early age.
7. Will my child feel that they truly belong?
Academic success is important, but so is feeling seen, valued, and connected. Parents should consider whether a school creates an environment where students feel safe to contribute, ask questions, build friendships, and discover their own strengths. A strong sense of belonging often becomes the foundation for engagement and future success.
“The best Foundation Phase education doesn’t simply prepare students for primary school,” says Miller. “It helps them build the confidence, curiosity, resilience, and adaptability they’ll draw on for the rest of their lives. These qualities are, ultimately, just as important as anything they learn from a textbook.”
