Meet our staff

“We aim to foster meaningful relationships that will encourage a spirit of empathy and understanding and to encourage a sense of wonder and respect for our world.”

Hilde-Mari Murgatroyd

OWNER & DIRECTOR

I am a qualified, experienced, and passionate B.Ed. (Foundation Phase) or better described as an Early Years Development Specialist who started out teaching with a dream in mind. I completed my Honours in Education with Specialization in Early Childhood Development in 2015.

I have spent the last 13 years working in South African Preschools like Midstream College Pre-Primary as well as the Advetech schools. During this time, it became evident to me that preschools in South Africa needed to be brought into the 21^st century. I spent 5 years teaching preschoolers in Dubai and worked with multiple curricula including international curricula like the EYFS (UK), Creative Curriculum (American), the South African CAPS and ELDA’s as well as the ISASA curriculum (South Africa). My years teaching in Dubai (UAE) opened a new world to me when it comes to teaching young children and how they learn optimally.

I have spent the last 13 years working in South African Preschools like Midstream College Pre-Primary as well as the Advitech schools. During this time, it became evident to me that preschools in South Africa needed to be brought into the 21^st century. I spent 5 years teaching preschoolers in Dubai and worked with multiple curricula including international curricula like the EYFS (UK), Creative Curriculum (American), the South African CAPS and ELDA’s as well as the ISASA curriculum (South Africa). My years teaching in Dubai (UAE) opened a new world to me when it comes to teaching young children and how they learn optimally.

I believe that children should learn using their natural creativity through integrated, play-based activities, to maximise learning opportunities. I believe teachers should have the knowledge to instill in them strong perceptual, cognitive and motor skills through play. This can only be achieved by planning fun and creative learning opportunities that promote exploration and experimentation with the help of interesting materials and activities. I am passionate about helping children learn in a fun, creative and safe environment in the Little Woodlands Preschools. I believe in training my teachers to have a deeper understanding of how (not what) the child learns, and to be able to plan or adapt on the spot to cater for different learning styles and multiple intelligences.

At heart I will always be a creative and enthusiastic teacher who prides myself in being sensitive to our children’s individual needs and characters. I truly believe a teacher must see each child for the individual he/she is. I believe in supporting my teachers on an ongoing learning journey that will ultimately benefit not only the teachers, but also our young learners.

My purpose is to encourage, teach and support our young learners as well as our teachers. Ultimately, I am a believer in the Little Woodlands Way of Learning. I envision a future where excellence is the only option when it comes to preschool education in South Africa.

We are currently developing our own Curriculum for children from 3 months to 5 years old. A curriculum that truly integrate all learning areas, milestones, outcomes or learning standards and developmental levels is non-existent in South Africa and some other parts of the world. We are currently in the developing and testing phase with the help of Dr. J.E Boshoff, PhD. (Childhood Education) whom I am proud to call mom.

Catharine Olckers

DORINGKLOOF PRINCIPAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I believe in an open-door policy and that communication and honesty is the foundation of any relationship. I would love for you, as the parents, to know that we are all here for your child’s well-being and that I will be there every step of the way to assist our staff and yourselves through any situation. I know that by working together it will be an exciting and prosperous journey for us all.

I have many years of Educational and Psychology experience and believe that both fields work side by side.

Creativity and versatility is at the forefront of all that we do. I love engaging with young and old and enjoy facing new challenges. Our attention to detail and our organisational skills can be seen throughout our schools. I delight in coordinating events and being an active member wherever I am involved.

At Little Woodlands we truly aspire to give our little ones all the love, learning, opportunities and fun to nurture them to step into their own.

Dr. Bettie Boshoff (PhD)

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Welcome to Little Woodlands Preschool, the golden triangle of preschool learning, where East and West meet South!
With the ongoing global change of the role of curriculum in early years programs, Little Woodlands Preschool made sure to develop a curriculum that does not only address national needs but also address international standards. Through thorough research we made sure to include the best practices from curricula across the world.
To guide our Little Woodland Preschool learners through this rapidly developing phase we focus on a fun-filled, integrated and theme-based program which is executed in a dual-medium setting with English and Afrikaans as languages of instruction. Cross-curricular integration includes cognitive, perceptual, socio-emotional and physical development activities. This approach makes learning more meaningful to our learners and guides them in making general connections between learning areas.
Because young children develop higher order thinking skills by being actively involved in their environment, our curriculum is developed to include hands-on activities, discussions, discovery through play, planning, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, experimenting and questioning, in an accommodating and child friendly environment. Our learners are not plastered to seats and forced to learn about things they are not ready for. We live by our motto: Play, Discover, Learn.
As so graciously stated by Loris Malaguzzi: “Children need the freedom to appreciate the infinite resources of their hands, their eyes and their ears, the resources of forms, materials, sounds and colours.