About Exploring Ants
At the Exploring Ants Learn & Play Centre, we use experience from 14 years in special needs therapy and education to help your child build all important neural pathways. We use play and exploration during carefully thought-out themes and lesson plans to explore the world and prepare them for the next phase of their schooling.
We foster a passion for learning and exploration through play, that will last your child a lifetime, and instil in them moral values which respect the environment as well as people and their cultures. We will provide opportunities for all children so that they can fully develop their potential as individuals.
We acknowledge that each child is unique and consider their unique needs and abilities.
Focus on Play
We place lots of importance on PLAY. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. Through play, we also work on EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING skills (Self-awareness, Inhibition, Non-verbal working memory, Verbal working memory, Emotional self-regulation, Self-motivation, Planning and problem solving), which are important skills for everyday life.
Sensory Activities
We use SENSORY activities during all parts of the day as research has shown that the more senses you involve during learning, the faster learning takes place and the more integrated that learning is. We work closely to develop the GROSS MOTOR and FINE MOTOR skills needed for the next phase of their schooling career. We work developmentally to make sure that a firm foundation is laid to put your child in the best possible position. We make learning fun as a positive association with learning is a core principle of learning.
Small, intimate groups
We strive to keep our groups small and intimate so that your child gets the individual attention he/she needs to develop. We want to establish a trusting, loving and positive relationship with your child making them happy and eager explorers in all aspects of life.
Our vision at Exploring Ants is to support every child in their quest to become the best they can be, through engaging them in our rich learning environment and caring for them with genuine affection
Our Magical Garden
We have a large, well-established garden full of beautiful trees, exciting play equipment and many lovable creatures. We spend lots of time outdoors playing, exploring and learning to foster a love and respect for nature. Our children have plenty of space to run, jump, climb and develop their gross motor skills. We have many furry and feathered friends who frequent our garden including; bunnies, squirrels, guinea pigs, birds and a wide array of creepy crawlies.
Team
-
AntoinetteAt the head of our team, we have Antoinette (better known as Teacher Ant). Antoinette has a real passion for child development and uses her 14+ years’ experience as a special needs therapist, to make sure that the little explorers develop to their fullest potential. Her training during her time as a special needs therapist has enabled her to help each individual child to develop according to their strengths and method of learning and to lay a good foundation for the next step in their learning career. -
JanckeAfter school Jancke job shadowed at a preschool and discovered her love for teaching. She believes in a steadfast foundation before going to school and strives to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge. She studied Educare and will be completing her Diploma in 2023. Her passion and love for children reflects in her everyday life. -
WendyWendy is our all-rounder with a heart of gold. She is a mom of two (a boy and girl) and all the kids absolutely love her! She is multi talented and can do pretty much anything! With her around the kids feel safe and is always having fun.
Testimonials
Kerry (Benjamin and Mila's Mama)
"Exploring Ants provides both a nurturing and developmentally stimulating home-away-from-home environment.
The small class size and high teacher/child ratio ensures a lot of one-on-one attention and has resulted in both of our children feeling both safe and loved.
The teachers always go above and beyond in all they do and offer absolute peace of mind when it comes to providing the best education possible for your children.
We honestly could not be more impressed with Exploring Ants and have seem how our children have both flourished under the care of the staff."
Jessica (Nina's Mommy)
Nina started exploring ants at a very vulnerable time having just moved towns, then houses and schools. She even had a new nanny. She had left everything and everyone she knew in town and she had a little brother on the way so we were very worried about her. She started to show signs of anxiety and we needed to find her the right school which would not only support her emotional side with the changes and becoming a sister but also a place she would thrive and grow as a little human. When we arrived at exploring ants in February I could feel a sense of calm and a home away from home. Bunnies in the garden and a little tortoise. All the kids were calm and happy and this was due to the incredible teachers setting such a wonderful calm tone and Nina slotted right in. This was only the beginning and we are impressed weekly by all the love and effort the teachers put in. Nina comes home with a bag of beautiful art on a Friday as and a theme to look forward to every week. She also looks forward to baking every Friday. She skips to school in the morning and she’s always so happy when we fetch her! I can’t explain how grateful we are to have found Exploring Ants!
Lauren (Matthew's Mommy)
“Being a first time mom can make you anxious about every little decision you make for your child. Constantly questioning if you did everything right. Choosing Exploring Ants has made us confident that we've made the best decision for Matthew! He absolutely loves it and always has a story to tell about his day! The growth I've seen in him is incredible and I can only thank Exploring Ants for opening up his world and nurturing his ever inquisitive mind!!!”
Elisha (Zack's Mommy)
“My son joined Exploring Ants non verbal and developmentally delayed. After just one year at Exploring Ants, he progressed from sign language to words and now speaks in sentences. He has developed so beautifully all round thanks to the accomodating Exploring Ants providing him with a personalised, warm, creative and nuturing environment in which he could thrive even against all odds. There is a strong focus on learning in the most adventurous and fun ways! I highly commend Exploring Ants for their abundance of love and dedication that the teachers so willingly provide. Everything is done from a place of love, no compromises, only compassion, care and building kids of character. It's exactly what every child needs when they first transition into a "home" away from home ❤️”
