Will Knysna’s Children be Ready for School?
This is the question we ask ourselves every day at Knysna Education Trust – and it drives everything we do. Our mission is simple but urgent: to ensure that every child in Knysna is thriving and ready to enter formal school with confidence.
Introducing the Optima School Readiness Screening
In June 2025, our Preschool Area Leads (PALs) screened 305 Grade R learners across 42 partner sites using the Optima School Readiness Assessment. It is a trusted tool that evaluates whether children are developmentally ready for the demands of Grade 1. Each learner is assessed individually (30–40 minutes) or in small groups.
It measures the building blocks of learning across:
- Language development – vocabulary, comprehension, print awareness.
- Visual development – interpreting and remembering what is seen.
- Auditory development – processing sounds, following instructions, recalling information.
- Spatial and number skills – shapes, size, counting, sequencing, problem-solving.
- Fine and gross motor skills – cutting, drawing, balance, coordination.
- Social-emotional readiness – attention, perseverance, independence, regulation.
Rather than testing knowledge alone, Optima highlights whether the underlying developmental foundations are in place.
Learners are categorised as:
- On track: 75-100% – Ready for school
- Falling behind: 55-74% – Would benefit from professional intervention
- Far behind: less than 55% – Would benefit from another year in Grade R
This scale would usually be applied at the end of the year. Carrying out the screenings early has provided a clear foundation for targeted intervention plans. Learners who are falling behind can now receive focused support, giving them the opportunity to catch up and make meaningful progress before entering Grade 1.
Key Findings
Overall results across preschools varied widely, from the lowest scoring 32% and the highest scoring 87%. The average overall school readiness score was 62%.
The differences between preschools highlight the inequality that exists even within the same community: while some children are developmentally well-prepared, others are significantly behind. This gap reinforces the urgent need for targeted support where backlogs are most severe.
Next Steps
As we encourage preschools to adopt our learning programme, we hope to standardise the quality of education offered amongst sites.
Our PALs are working directly with principals and Grade R teachers, sharing learner results and guiding them on where additional support is needed. Through targeted coaching, practical resources, and strengthened classroom practices, practitioners are better equipped to help learners meet their developmental milestones.
But success isn’t only made in the classroom. Parents play a crucial role too. By engaging with the simple home-based reinforcement activities provided by our PALs, families can support their children’s progress and help them thrive.
The Optima School Readiness screenings have given us a clear picture: while many children in Knysna are prepared for the transition into formal schooling, too many are still facing developmental backlogs that place them at risk of falling behind. With the right interventions, strong collaboration between teachers and parents, and consistent support from our Preschool Area Leads, we are actively working to bridge the gap.