A World Of Creativity

From 3 months to 6 years.

A World of Creativity & Play

Leaping Ahead Playschool is based in Glenvista, Johannesburg South. We cater for children from 3 months to 6 years old. We acknowledge the vital importance of early childhood education and therefore offer a curriculum combined with the CAPS framework that is supported by additional resources that incorporates all aspects of a child’s development. We integrate play, music, movement and sensory activities into our learning programme. We at Leaping Ahead Playschool realize the importance of development and stimulation. Our Christian values form the basis of our school where each child feels loved, valued and respected. Our small classes allow children to receive individual attention as well as provide opportunities for unique learning and stimulation to take place. We are known for our excellent level of education and care that each child receives focusing on each child as an individual.

Meet our founder

My name is Sandra Santos. I am the founder and principal of Leaping Ahead Playschool. I started my
school because I have a passion in early learning education and preschool children. I have over 20
years qualified teaching experience, having taught children from 3 months right up to Grade 3. I
strongly believe in a Holistic Learning approach and therefore ensure our children’s interests and
curiosity is met by an age-appropriate and play based curriculum. Being a mom of three children I
fully understand the need for each child to be educated in a richly stimulated environment where
each child feels valued, appreciated and loved. My wish is that each child develops self-confidence,
independence and flexibly with the needed confidence to move on to their next stages of life.

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Our Classes

Little Lambs

3 Months - 18 Months

Our baby centre is designed to specifically cater for the needs of each infant. By having a small classes, our programme caters for the monthly development of each child to ensure each
baby reaches their milestones whilst receiving much individual attention focusing on their emotional
and physical needs. Our daily programme includes age-appropriate activities including sensory
exploration, music and movement

Hopping Bunnies

18 Months - 3 Years
Now that our toddlers are walking and using basic words a new phase in development begins. At this stage, our children are encouraged to play and explore. They also begin to show some independence and display some understanding of their world around them. Our well-balanced holistic programme is rich in activities that incorporates sensory and movement opportunities as well as allows each child to learn to socialize and interact with other children, while growing in all areas of development. We encourage curiosity and imagination by exploring age-appropriate themes and topics in our weekly learning programme.

Laughing Zebras

3-4 Years

Our children at this stage develop a lot emotionally. They also start to form friendships, contruct longer
sentences, have better memory and physical skills just to mention a few. Our programme
incorporates activities that are age-appropriate and aimed at developing each child as an individual
taking into consideration their needs and interests. We offer many opportunities for each child to
explore their environment through sensory activities, movement, music and play.

Growing Giraffes

Grade 00
In Grade 00 we are focused on developing each child emotionally, socially, academically and spiritually. Our programme offers activities which develops each child holistically. Our programme develops fundamental skills such as problem-solving skills, life skills, fine and gross motor skills as well as cognitive and perceptual skills. Through age-appropriate activities that is play-based with structured outcomes our children are well stimulated in all areas of development.

Clever Owls

Grade R
Our unique and specialized programme incorporated with the CAPS framework ensures that each child is well prepared to start their next journey of life which is ‘big school’. Perceptual activities form part of the weekly programme. Numeracy skills are taught where each child learns to count, identify numbers and also organize objects according to size, shape and colour. The language area includes descriptive language, vocabulary enrichment and phonics.

Our Programme

Our Philosophy is based on a curriculum combined with the CAPS framework that is supported by
additional resources that incorporates all aspects of a child’s development. It is rich in age-appropriate activities that develops each child holistically. We include physical development, social
& emotional development, fine & gross motor development, sensory exploration & development,
auditory & speech development, numeracy, creative arts, cognitive & perceptual development,
knowledge & skills as well as language & literacy into our weekly programme.

07:00 School opens
08:00 – 08:30 Morning ring
08:30 – 09:00 Varied activities
09:00 – 09:30 Teatime
09:30 – 10:00 Lesson session 1 and/or free play
10:00 – 11:00 Lessons session 2
11:00 – 11:30 Lessons session 3 and/or free play
11:30 – 12:00 Lunch
12:00 – 13:00 Nap time
13:00 – 13:30 Toilet/Nappy changing and cleaning
13:30 – 14:30 Collection of children and free play
14:30 or 17:00 School closes (Monday – Thursday)
13:30 or 17:00 School closes (Friday)

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Where does learning take place?

Children’s learning is not limited to the classroom. Every situation and moment have an opportunity for learning to take place. We therefore learn both in the classroom and outdoors. The teacher’s role is to see every opportunity for learning to take place and use it to enrich each child’s life on a daily basis. Our classrooms are designed with key aspects that are in line for proper learning to take place. Our outdoor area provides opportunities for our children to learn and explore. We have a jungle gym, other outdoor equipment such as swings and trampolines, as well as a wood work station and mud kitchen for fantasy play.

Meals?

Leaping Ahead Playschool provides balanced, nutritious lunch and wholesome snacks.

* Vegetarian options are available too.

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What else do we offer in the weekly programme?

We realise that cooking encourages children’s thinking, problem solving and creativity. It also allows children the opportunity to use the knowledge they have and apply it by counting, measuring, following a sequence of directions as well as cause and effect. We bake once a month and it is generally linked to the weekly theme.
This is done weekly. Our children get an opportunity to stand in front of their friends and speak about a topic that interests them. It builds self-confidence and helps children develop effective communication skills.
Each week we learn a new colour or two. Our children dress up either on a Wednesday or Thursday in the weeks colour. This helps children to recognize their colours and identify the colour names which is an important part of a child’s development. Early identification of colours helps to create the cognitive link between visual clues and words.

We often have dress up days so that our children get to enjoy some fantasy play.
Dressing up encourages creative thinking and communication skills. It also helps children practice language development and their social skills.

We have monthly workshops or events that is in line with the weekly
theme. This is to enrichen what is being learnt about at school. Our events are interactive and age-appropriate. They are always a highlight of every child’s life here at Leaping Ahead Playschool.

We have termly project days. Children get to complete their own planned projects at school.

Playball is inclusive in our fees. Playball forms apart of our curriculum. The aim of Playball is to introduce young children to constructive and enjoyable sports participation through various age-appropriate programs.

Extra murals

We offer the following extra murals at school. This is not included in the school fees as it done by external companies. All teachers have the necessary requirements to be teaching at our school. We offer the following:

  • Culinary Kids
  • Dancing
  • Music Bumblebees
  • Gym Kids
  • Pottery

Operating hours

Half day

07:00 – 14:30: Monday – Thursday
07:30 – 13:30: Friday

Full day

07:00 – 17:00: Monday – Friday

Holiday program

Available for Term 1, 2 and 3

2, 3 and 5-day options are available

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you so get in touch with us.

Get in touch

Testimonials

Thank you to Sandra and all her staff for creating the most loving, caring and growing environment for our babies to go and blossom! I wish there were enough words to describe just how amazing you all truly are. My daughter has grown beyond measure under the care of your school. She is the happiest little girl I know and a huge chunk of it is thanks to you! I really do believe I love her school more than she does. I have never witnessed a more interactive, educational environment. You surpass all means and bounds! I am beyond grateful for all you always do, the little things like videos and pictures of our smarties go a long way! The weekly themes are so much fun and the special days/events excite our kiddies like you’ll never know! Thank you for making us parents feel safe and at ease! Thank you for creating such a fun , loving environment and giving our children a second home! On behalf of my daughter and I , We are honestly blessed to have you alongside our journey! You truly are the best!

~ Whitney Barnardo

Leaping Ahead Playschool is a nurturing environment for all children. The teachers and staff are friendly, trustworthy and have a true passion for teaching. Our daughter loves school, the curriculum is well balanced and more advanced, which encourages our daughter to want to learn more. They have amazing extra curricular activities for the kids. We would recommend Leaping Ahead Playschool to any parent, you’ll have total peace of mind. Brendon & Aurial Bird

 

Both my boys have been to Leaping Ahead Playschool and I am happy to say they have received a good foundation preparing them for primary school. The curriculum is very thorough with different weekly activities. There is access to a secure play area with a playground. The school offers a variety of extra mural activities with external providers should you wish to sign your kids up. The teachers are approachable, caring, sweet and understanding. I would say overall it has been a wonderful experience being at leaping ahead Playschool, with principal Sandra overlooking the school I would highly recommend Leaping Ahead Playschool

~ Mr and Mrs Naik

It was tough to find a school for my child as at previous schools he attended, he was being abused. Looking at Leaping ahead, we expressed our background, worries and fears to Sandra. We were accepted with open arms. My child who experienced such trauma, was assisted in all the ways he needed and was shown love, kindness and support from the first day. They were patient and treated my child the way that children should be treated at school. In a year my child enjoys being at school and having friends and has learnt so much. They started a baby class when I was pregnant and now my new little baby is also at the school and now turning a year. I see that everyday my children love being at school and have fun taking part in the activities provided. I really appreciate the fact that Leaping Ahead Playschool is a hands on school that provides many different learning activities and styles that accommodate different learning needs and abilities. There is open communication between me as a parent and Sandra, we are always kept informed about the ongoings of the school and they are always willing to share fun experiences and learning, be this photos or general feedback about how my children are doing. The staff is friendly and treat my children as their own. Teacher Tanya and Teacher Precious have been a blessing to me and my children. Thank you for helping and teaching my children.

~ Jenilee Dunstone

My daughter has been at Leaping ahead since 2019 and I can safely say Sandra and her team have created a beautiful safe sanctuary. It really is a home away from home and I know my daughter receives as much love at school as she does at home. I get daily and weekly updates from either Sandra or her teachers. My daughter has grown in leaps and bounds in a well thought out circulum that is taught without putting any pressure on the children but is planned down to themed activities, colours and learning exercises. The extra circular service providers are carefully selected to ensure the activities are complimentary to the school plan and reasonably-priced. I cannot recommend Leaping Ahead enough. It really is a school full of love and a beautiful safe space for children to grow and flourish. I recall being so nervous to send my child to nursery school but can safely say, it’s been the best decision and she loves going to school every day.

~ Simone

Our daughter joined the Leaping Ahead ‘family’ when she was 5 years old. As an educator and a parent, I have been so pleased to see my child flourish over the time she has been at the school. She absolutely loves her teachers. Leaping Ahead takes children on an educational journey, exploring different themes in fun and exciting ways. The staff are all amazing. They are friendly, welcoming and they care deeply for all of the children. Thank you to Sandra, and your team, for the wonderful work you do! We appreciate all you have done to help our little one grow! 

~ Tatum Johnson