A World Of Creativity
Nature's House Preschool
Nature’s House Preschool is a Montessori-inspired, play-based early learning centre nestled in the heart of Cape Town.
As a home-based school, we provide personalised care and high-quality education for a maximum of six children, ensuring individual attention in a nurturing environment.
Our programme is designed for children aged 18 months to 3 years, following a nature-inspired, child-led approach that fosters curiosity, independence, and a love for learning.
At Nature’s House, we foster critical thinking and a deep connection with nature by encouraging exploration and play, aligning with each child’s natural interests.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed through hands-on experiences and guided discovery, to support the holistic development of every child, nurturing their emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.
Meet the head of Nature's House
Tanya Jordaan is a dedicated and qualified preschool teacher with a deep passion for early childhood development. From the very start of her career, she envisioned creating a nurturing toddler environment where young children could flourish in a supportive, play-based setting. "My experience in teaching older children has given me a holistic understanding of child development. It allows me to recognise the foundational skills needed at an early age to support a child's future learning journey and overall school readiness." With this insight, Tanya is committed to fostering an enriching, child-led environment.
Parent Info
We are always available to answer questions.
What framework for learning and exploration do you follow?
Based on the Montessori method, a day at Nature’s House follows a predictable rhythm that accords with the natural needs of the child. The pace is unhurried, and the ethos is respectful of individual needs. Whether the children are indoors or outdoors, curiosity, creativity, play, and nature exploration allow for learning to happen naturally.
Their everyday experiences at Nature’s House teaches them about the world and how to be a part of it.
Montessori’s education method called for free activity within a ‘prepared environment,’ meaning an educational environment tailored to basic human characteristics and to the specific characteristics of children at different ages. The function of the environment is to allow the child to develop independence in all areas according to his or her inner psychological directives. In addition to offering access to beautiful wooden materials that supports the child’s development, the environment exhibits the following characteristics:
- Construction in proportion to the child, and his needs
- Beauty, harmony, and order
- An arrangement of inside/outside exploration that facilitates movement and activity and curiosity.
- And Tanya supporting intellectual, emotional, and social development appropriate to each of the children.
Do you have a special designated playground?
At Nature’s House, our indoor environment has a natural flow to the outdoor environment. Nature studies, while playing and exploring outside is part of our daily rhythm. We allow for the freedom of movement between our beautiful sunny inside room, the undercover patio and our safe and enclosed garden.
Will my child be playing with bigger kids?
Unlike conventional schools, which separate children into grades, Montessori classes are multi-age and non-graded. The age divisions relate to child development rather than curricular requirements. Children at Nature’s House are in a class that will best meet the child’s individual needs. We ensure that the children are allowed to develop at their individual pace and their potential is not limited. Having a vertical age group also supports social interaction, collaboration, peer learning and sense of community among the children.
What qualifications does Tanya Jordaan have?
Nature’s House Preschool follows the guidelines of the ECD regulations in our local territory to ensure the expected standards are met.
Tanya Jordaan has a BA in Fine Arts, and is a qualified Montessori Teacher (3-6 years) with a National Diploma in Early Childhood Development (NQF level 5). Tanya has six years experience in teaching and two and a half years experience as H.O.D. at Stepping Stones Montessori School. Since starting her own school (2022) she has completed a Toddler Certificate Course through the Montessori Centre, South Africa. She is also registered with the South African Council for Educators, as well as a member of the South African Montessori Association. Tanya is trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR.
How do you discipline the children?
Nature’s House promotes peaceful resolution of disagreements and avoids the use of authoritarian methods based on fear and punishment. Our children are encouraged to be confident and assertive, yet polite and considerate by learning from us as role models.
