Help! I’m Completely New to Homeschooling

by Miranda Lagane

“Help, I’m completely new to homeschooling!” This is one of the most common messages we receive at CAP Kids, and if you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone.

We know that you want the best for your children. You’ve taken a leap of faith and decided to educate them at home. You’ve seen, and been inspired by, the Pinterest-perfect homeschool rooms and the polished social media reels (where the real mess of learning is quickly swept out of the camera’s frame). But when you take that first step, homeschooling can feel messy, overwhelming, and uncertain.

Here’s the good news: you’re not the first to walk this path. Thousands of South African families have chosen home education before you, and the journey ahead, while challenging, is a well-worn footpath that can lead to academic success, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Your children’s early years only happen once. Homeschooling is a rare and valuable opportunity to pass on your values, spend meaningful time together, and help shape the people that your children will become.

So Where Do You Start?

1. Notify Your Child’s School

If your child is currently enrolled in a school, you’ll need to inform the school that you’ll be transitioning to home education. This is a simple but important first step.

2. Join the Pestalozzi Trust

We highly recommend joining the Pestalozzi Trust, an independent body that protects your legal right to homeschool in South Africa. Think of them as your armour in battle: they offer guidance, legal protection, and peace of mind. And yes, those first three months of homeschooling can feel like a battlefield, emotionally, mentally, and logistically.

3. Register as a Homeschooler

The registration process with your provincial Department of Education is completely free of charge and is completed online. However, this process can take up to three months. Fortunately, the law allows you to begin homeschooling before your registration is finalised, so your child doesn’t fall behind academically. Waiting for approval before starting could mean squeezing 12 months of work into just 9 – and that’s pressure no one needs.

4. Choose Your Curriculum

This is where things get exciting, and can sometimes feel very overwhelming. Veteran homeschoolers will tell you to start with the end in mind: whether your child’s future includes trade school, university, entrepreneurship, or something else, your long-term goals will help guide your curriculum choices.

There are many options available, but the Department of Education recommends following the nationally recognised CAPS curriculum. This ensures your child’s learning stays on par with national standards and allows for smoother reintegration into traditional schooling if needed.

This is where CAP Kids comes in – we have done all of the research and planning for you. Educated and highly qualified teachers have come together to create a CAPS aligned homeschool curriculum that is engaging and interactive. This method of teaching and learning is backed by science as being one of the most effective ways of learning and retaining information. Our affordable price structure also means that this curriculum is accessible to everyone. You can join at any time of the year and everyone is welcome.