Tucked away in Buurendal, Edenvale, Willowbrook Montessori is a small, owner-run preschool for children aged 3 months to 6 years.
Since establishing the school in 2013, founder and principal Danielle has led it hands-on, working alongside her staff every day rather than from behind a desk. As a qualified Montessori practitioner, she brings both training and years of lived experience to how the school runs. It's this personal, close-knit approach that parents notice first: a place where every child and every family is known by name, not just by number.
At Willowbrook, we live by our motto, Learn, Laugh and Play, and it shows in the relationships we build long after a child moves on to grade R.
Willowbrook follows the Montessori Method, however what really sets us apart is our size. We've deliberately stayed small and intimate, which means our teachers know each child's pace, interests and personality rather than managing a curriculum at scale.
Combined with the owner who is present on site every day, this gives Willowbrook a level of continuity and care that's hard to find at larger centres, the kind of place other parents describe as a hidden gem once they find it. Our approach blends the freedom children need to explore and discover with the structure and consistency that helps them grow into confident, independent, accountable little people.
Dig into how that plays out day to day: our extra-murals, our daily curriculum and the nutritional meals we prepare for the children each day.
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Outside of the daily routine, children at Willowbrook also get to enjoy a range of extra murals throughout the week, including swimming, karate, gymnastics, ballet and robotics.
Explore the full schedule and see how it adds to their day.
From morning ring to hands-on Montessori activities, outdoor play and rest, every day at Willowbrook follows a gentle, predictable rhythm that helps children feel safe, confident and ready to explore.
Take a look at what a typical day looks like, hour by hour.
Our lunch menu runs on a five week rotation of warm, home-style meals, freshly prepared for our children each day, from nutritious pasta dishes to hearty stews.
Take a look at what’s on the menu, week by week.