Imagination, creativity and learning are grounded at Lynedoch in early childhood development
The Lynedoch Children’s House was established in 2000 as a dedicated preschool for children from our village and valley. Here, we follow a Montessori approach to learning, cherishing each child’s innate love for learning. Over 65 children attend the Infant Community (0 – 3 years) and Children’s House (3 – 6 years). Safe and welcoming, we aim to nurture every facet of the extraordinary potential in the lives of these tiny humans.
A child’s foundational years are formative for a life-time of learning and development. Here, we provide integrated and ecologically focused learning and nature-based play. The children play in the natural gardens and participate each day in growing, harvesting and cooking of organic vegetables.
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The Team
Julia Jansen
Colleen Erasmus
Christelle Jansen
Lisa Plaatjies
Mandisa Sakawali
Melicia van Wiese
Shannen Jassen
FACILITATOR - EARLY LEARNING
Julia Jansen
Julia Jansen is a Facilitator in Lynedoch Early Learning (3-6 years).
She holds a NQF level 4 and 5 Diploma in Early Childhood Development. Her previous work with street children, was the beginning of her interest in a career working with youth. Her gave her first observation that children can work hard and show independence and spirit, not just play as is commonly thought. Julia finds that she continues to learn more about herself in this process, every day.
COORDINATOR - EARLY LEARNING
Colleen Erasmus
Colleen Erasmus is the programme coordinator for the Lynedoch Children’s House.
She has always loved children and believes in the difference that consistent love shown towards them can have and the real change that it can make. Colleen completed a 0-3 Assistants to Infancy Diploma in London at the Prestigious Association Montessori Internationale.
FACILITATOR - EARLY LEARNING
Christelle Jansen
Christelle Jansen is a Facilitator in the baby center (0 – 3 years).
She holds an NQF level 4 certificate in Early Childhood Development as well as Birth to Three Assistants to Infancy course accredited by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). She is the happiest when she is with children, and sees her work as an opportunity to improve herself daily by obtaining skills to continue the special work that is being done here.
FACILITATOR - EARLY LEARNING
Lisa Plaatjies
Lisa is a Facilitator in Lynedoch Early Learning (3-6 years).
She recently completed 0-3 Assistants to Infancy skills programme. First starting as a casual in the creche, she became familiar with the work material of the early childhood course being taught in the crèche, after which she got the opportunity to enrol as a student. She loves the idea that she is continually learning so much, something she never thought she would have the to do again having lived in the Lynedoch valley for many years.
ASSISTANT - EARLY LEARNING
Mandisa Sakawali
Mandisa takes care of the 3-6 year olds at the crèche of Lyendoch Early Learning.
She has worked as an assistant at Kids.com and has had experience as an Au pair. Mandisa also completed a 0-3 Assistants to Infancy Diploma. With God as her inspiration, she wants to see these children grow up in a healthy and safe environment.
ASSISTANT - EARLY LEARNING
Melicia van Wiese
Melicia is an assistant of Lynedoch Early Learning and looks after children from the ages of 0-3 years old in the crèche.
She enjoys working with children on a daily basis, having worked as a private caregiver before joining the SI, and finds great joy in being part of this learning environment. Her other interests include listening to music and being present in the relaxing greenery of Lynedoch.
Assistant - Early Learning
Shannen Jassen
Shannen Jassen started at the Lynedoch Children’s House in 2018 as a cleaner and quickly became interested in the way we guide children and Montessori method just by daily observation and working in the space. She is currently doing her AMI 3-6 teacher training diploma course and is finding it interesting and feels like she is discovering a whole new world.
Video: The work we do
The following principles are core to the Lynedoch Children’s House:
- Place-based and applicable to the local context and simple daily living
- Focused on educating for human development in formal and informal ways, and celebrating multiple intelligences – visual-spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, naturalistic and intrapersonal
- Taught in relational and transdisciplinary ways that incorporate literature, art, drama, numeracy and immersion in nature, including for example the children participating in the growing, harvesting and cooking of organic vegetables every day
- Aimed at promoting problem-solving abilities, critical thinking and active decision-making
- Eco-centric in approach encouraging understanding of human-nature reliance and connection with all life, and the ecosystems in which we are embedded
- Core values that infuse respect, responsibility, independence, quality and community
Meaningful transformation and positive development can be achieved through healing, empowering and inspiring the children and youth in our communities. Our approach is holistic in nature, working not only with the children themselves but also their families and wider community.