Page 8 - Waterfall Issue 7 2021

Waterfall News

WATERFALL WELCOMES

LITTLEHILL PRESCHOOLS

Learning the Montessori way years of experience in the Montessori
environment and is now our Head of
L aunched on 1 July 2021, for 35 years, which impacted my Curriculum for LittleHill Montessori.
She makes sure that all students
decision to go into teaching,” says Layla.
are on track with the curriculum
LittleHill Kikuyu is the first
of three Montessori schools
monitoring our teachers closely to
that will be opening in each LittleHill Montessori opened its doors across all of our schools while also
of the Balwin developments on in 2005 with the vision of providing ensure the best for our learners.”
Waterfall over the next few years. It children with a safe and comfortable
offers a warm, nurturing environment space where they could grow and learn. “We chose the preschool route
and an authentic Montessori “It all started in the beautiful suburb of because of the significance of early
preschool experience for children Greenside,” explains Rizwana. “I have development,” adds Layla. “Several
aged 18 months to six years old. a passion for children and watching studies have indicated the importance
them grow and learn independently, of the ‘first 1 000 days’ and the long-
The school and facilities are purpose- so I opened my own school, and my lasting impact they have on an
built and kitted out with the full range sister in law, Layla, worked with me. I individual’s life. LittleHill’s mission is to
of Montessori equipment. Large, airy will always be grateful to my parents instil a lifelong love for learning, which
classrooms have been designed to for their constant encouragement is why we are so passionate about the
cater to every little one’s developmental and support. We have grown from preschool phase of the learning journey.”
needs, while spacious playgrounds offer one classroom to two schools, and it
a jungle gym, sandpit and bike track, is a proud moment for us and them.” Montessori was always the duo’s first
ensuring the children’s gross motor skills choice of teaching method. Montessori
are challenged and refined. Safety and In 2015, Rizwana and Layla opened a is a method of education that is based
security are of paramount importance, school together – LittleHill Emmarentia. on self-directed activity, hands-on
and the school and classrooms have “My husband Riyaad had a vision of learning and collaborative play. In
been fitted with CCTV cameras. expansion and encouraged us to grow Montessori classrooms, children make
and so the Greenside school moved to creative choices in their learning,
Rizwana Coovadia and Layla Ismail are bigger premises in Emmarentia,” says while the classroom and a highly
the academic and creative minds behind Rizwana. “We also had a great team trained teacher offer age-appropriate
LittleHill Montessori. Sisters-in-law and that helped us to flourish. Bharti Daya activities to guide the process.
colleagues, they both have Montessori was originally a teacher at LittleHill
qualifications. “My mother was a teacher Emmarentia. She comes with many “Our school emphasises independence,

6 Waterfall Issue 7 2021