hello

Hi

Gloeiwurpie and Marijke

First of all thank you both for your replies and advice

I am know the Montessori approach and went to see one the problem for me at the moment is that I do not drive as yet in the process of getting my licences been to long in London spoils you with public transport. So I have a bike but it is really not safe to cycle with a child so far cars is not very friendly to us.I saw a few good nurseries that is in centurion in Gauteng.I know the waldolf schools and love their approach to it a lot like Steiner school overseas I just need to find out about how recognize it is for the future to go to university and so on.You see if I could drive I would have more options.

Marijke will you please send me some information on the groups I am on Facebook under Nina Oosthuizen Smith
It is so hard when you go and fetch your little one and they all alone so sorry you had such a bad experience they are the children that a good staff member will incorporated into the group and build up there confidence I hope she doing well now and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this with me and all the advice it mean a lot hope to chat to you again soon

have a great day

Hi Nina!

I can totally understand your reluctance with childcare centers nowadays. I, on the other hand had a child who wanted more learning and less - well, not really doing anything. She wasn't very into imaginary play at that age, or playing with friends, so my heart always broke when I fetched her from school, she always looked so lost sitting in a corner with a broken toy.

Anyway. On the other hand I'd say you are rather lucky, living in CT (or at least close to it ) We live in Malmesbury, which is about a 30 to 45 min drive from you and you have a very active community in your area. There is a HUGE homeschooling group in that area, even if you aren't considering homeschooling, they all have younger children and just call themselves preschool homeschoolers (or stay at home moms who doesn't want to send their children to daycare for that matter)

If you are on FB I could direct you to a few groups. They have weekly meet ups, usually on Fridays

Hi Nontels!!

Welcome to moomie!

Wow, that is a long time to be away from South Africa! I can imagine it must take some time to adjust.

About a year and a half ago I embarked on a "mission" to find a good school for my child. I can go on here for ages about how shockingly poor the standard was of most schools I visited. I am in Gauteng, so I wouldn't know about cape town.
I eventually found a wonderful montesorri school for my LG. I am totally over the moon with their aproach and do not use the typical authoritarian style seen in most schools. I know that Waldorf schools are also known for letting children play and do a lot of art.

Nice to meet you and I look forward chatting to you.

Ps: Perhaps post another thread in the "pre-school kids" section asking for references for schools in your area.

Hope you find one that suits your needs.

Hi Everyone

I Hope that you are all well

I just wanted to say hi new to moomies.I recently returned to south Africa after being away for 14years living in London and new Zealand. My little boy that is 3yr 10mnt was born in London.I have to say it been hard not having any support overseas but it is also so hard to get use to things again in south Africa. And making new friends.I worked in Early years overseas and was assistant manager of day care in London I have a great passion from early years but I have to say there is not many good centres in the cape town northern suburbs or the area that I live in

My son has been in childcare since he was 6mnts but has been with me for the last 7mnts as I can not find a childcare centre anywhere in my area that is good I have look around but I believe in learning through play and child initiated curriculum that is observation base where you follow the interest of the children and move him on.Now I can deal with it not being like this here but in my area all the centres that I saw and I saw most is very structured and the adult control everything.One place told be free play is a reward but I am sorry in my experience play is children job that is the way they find out how the world works.

my little boy misses interacting with other children and it is so hard as I do not drive as yet having been in london for 12year I never needed to it getting sorted but if I did there is a really good place called clever kids near cape gate.Oh I live in protea heights.

So you all see being quiet isolated got a bike and go for rides with the little one when I can.He has a speech and language delay that he received speech terp for in new Zealand and wils start it again soon.He is lovely little boy that just wants to go to a nursery but I will only put him in one that I feel is good enough early years is to important to just choose anything.My dream is to open up my own one in the future.but in the mean time does anyone kow of a drop in where mums and dad meet and chidren play maybe I start something like that from home

sorry for all the rumbling on got so much to say and it just flows out hope it makes sense

thank you for listening to my story and taking the time to read it

Nina