Learn and Grow Montessori

Learn and Grow (formerly Explore and Discover) continues to be an amazing school for both of our kids. Our 5 year old started 3 years ago and our 2 year old started last year and both of them are so happy, with a fun and diverse group of friends. The change of ownership was navigated carefully, with the teaching staff remaining almost unchanged and the quality of care remaining constant. The area around the school, often a sore point for prospective parents, has suffered since Covid but the local Improvement District and SAPS are very present during school hours. I have never once questioned the safety of my kids either outside or inside the school. I firmly believe the school will only continue to grow and provide a caring, dynamic environment for our kids. With our 5 year old leaving for grade R next year, and visiting a range of other schools, my feelings about the school and teaching staff are even further strengthened.

I would highly caution anyone against sending their child to this school for a myriad of reasons. In my opinion, this school is led by an extremely unscrupulous owner. some other reviewers claim they have had a several years long relationship with the school, which is highly questionable. How is it possible for anyone to have a years long relationship with Learn and Grow while the school only came into existence in 2022? Feel free to check the memorandum of incorporation to verify what I'm saying. Prior to that, it was a different school under different ownership. So this raises red flags about the legitimacy of some of these reviews. A business that needs to forge reviews to artificially inflate its rating has already demonstrated its untrusworthiness. The owner has furthermore demonstrated his propensity to try to fleece parents. In my own experience, the shady owner tried to charge me for 2023, even though my child never attended once last year. I am now having to deal with the his petty and predatory legal action. The owner has used such tactics as attempting to defame me professionally and violated me and my child's privacy rights by sending emails to my place of occupation. I demanded that he refrain from doing this but he continued anyway. Moreover, the school is in a terrible location. I would often see shifty characters loitering outside of the premises literally smoking drugs everyday I went to retrieve my child after school. While the school has a gated fence, I sometimes found it left ajar when picking up and dropping off my child. But the most egregious issue is when I discovered that the former security guard was an active alcoholic who routinely drank on the job. The school wasn't forthcoming or transparent with this information, I just happened to discover this investigating what happened to him. Following this, there was no security whatsoever for about a month for the remainder of 2022. Needless to say, I removed my child from that school as soon as I became aware of this extreme degree of incompetence. Also be advised that the owner is not even Montessori trained himself as with the other owner of the previous school; he has personally admitted as much to me. There are other exceptional Montessori schools in the area. I would suggest you look at some of those.

If it were possible to give this school a 0/stars review I would do so because the leadership of this school is completely incompetent.

These reviews are strange, I wonder if the school itself has posted these. The schools in is a dangerous location, opposite the train station, next to an encampment. This probably isn't the best place to have a school for small children.

My daughter spent 4 years at this Montessori and it helped shape her for Junior School. She was very happy there and we were well impressed with the staff and facilities. A caring, nurturing and safe environment for any child.

I can't recommend this school highly enough. Rejaune and her team are so warm, gentle and loving and they support each child with their specific needs and interests. They are incredibly flexible and follow the needs of the child, rather than enforcing strict routines or rules. They also support the parents and families beyond the school, providing guidance on the challenges of raising toddlers with big emotions. I have been amazed by the Montessori approach and how my children have thrived. They have learnt so many foundational skills from a young age and take pleasure in accomplishing the tasks of daily life. Our lives are immeasurably better for being part of the school community and knowing that are children are loved and nurtured everyday at Learn and Grow. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I cannot imagine our lives without it.

I highly recommend the school for any parent looking for a warm and nurturing environment for their child. Our daughter runs to greet her teachers every morning, and when I peer over wall before fetching her at home time the kids look happy, like they’re still having fun after a long day. The school has really brought together a wonderful group of very devoted teachers.

My son loved the school from the very first day. Incredibly caring and compassionate teachers and amazing parent community which feels part of extended family.

Thank you for providing such a loving and caring atmosphere for children! Every day, my child looks forward to going to school! Learn & Grow Montessori is more than a school since we have a family-like relationship with the staff and teachers!

We love everything about Learn & Grow. My daughter is thriving in the loving, diverse, creative and kind environment. Principal Rejaune and the team are incredible - hands on, highly observant of all the children and caring - and I really appreciate the owner Abraham's approach.