{"id":220,"date":"2026-08-14T11:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savinggracelearntoread.co.za\/guides\/what-is-caps-foundation-phase-curriculum\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T11:14:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:14:05","slug":"what-is-caps-foundation-phase-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savinggracelearntoread.co.za\/guides\/what-is-caps-foundation-phase-curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the CAPS Foundation Phase Curriculum?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CAPS is South Africa’s national curriculum. Here is what it means for your child’s reading in Grades R\u20133, in plain language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You will see ‘CAPS’ on schoolbooks, reports and our lessons. It stands for the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement \u2014 South Africa’s national plan for what children learn and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Foundation Phase covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Foundation Phase runs from Grade R to Grade 3 and focuses on Home Language, a First Additional Language and Mathematics, with Life Skills woven through. Reading and writing sit at the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAPS sets out, term by term, what children should be learning \u2014 including phonics, reading of words and sentences, comprehension, and handwriting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the grades build up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grade R focuses on sounds and getting ready to read. Grade 1 begins blending sounds into words. Grades 2 and 3 grow fluency, longer texts and comprehension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why alignment helps you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a home programme follows CAPS, your child practises exactly what their grade expects \u2014 and stays in step whether they are in school or learning at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n