Four-year-olds will be learning through play in a formal school setting when Saltus begins its Foundation Year in 2006.

Principal Nigel Kermode said the prep year was designed to help children make the transition from pre-school to primary school.

About 80 students will begin the new year under the supervision of four teachers and four additional teaching assistants. The 80 “Rising Fives”, as the school is describing the year, will be split into four groups in different areas of the Cavendish school.

Mr. Kermode said the new year was modelled after the Reception Year, a pre-primary school year which has been added to school curriculum's in the United Kingdom.

“There's going to be a proper curriculum which fits in with the national curriculum structure to get the kids ready to be part of the Cavendish family,” he said. “There's going to be literacy and numeracy training to bring them into a better position to enter into the P2 year.”

The Saltus Cavendish administration building will be renovated to accommodate the students in two classrooms with a bathroom facility in addition to two classrooms facing the Watlington Road entrance. Mr. Kermode said the P3 year will become the first year at the Junior School and the Junior 7 year will become the first year of the Senior Programme.

He said parents with children on the waiting list and expectant parents had been expressing interest.

“It's been received very well, we have about 250 parents and parents of the future enthusiastic about our plans for the new year,” he said.