About

Read our School Prospectus for 2024 for an introduction to our school. 

 The staff of Heritage House Preschool, including some new assistants due to Covid, are the backbone and spirit of our school, so we are delighted to tell you a little about each of them:

KAREN VAN LELYVELD

OWNER, PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER SUPERVISOR

The Principal of the school is Karen van Lelyveld. Karen has been teaching for many years, and she has been a school Principal during this time. Karen is married and has two grown up children. Karen ran a very successful Preschool in Midrand for 15 years and has also been a Teacher, Vice Principal and Principal at other Preschools, as well as been a Grade one teacher in both Johannesburg and Howick. Karen is an energetic doer and has worked extremely hard at making Heritage House Preschool what it is today. The school expanded at the end of 2016 and again in 2017 thanks to Karen's vision, determination and dedication to the educational needs of Howick's local children.

ANGELA WIJNBERG

SECRETARY and ADMIN

The Secretary of the school is Angela who has been a school secretary for many years. After 15 years as a stay-home mum to her 4 children, she started back in the work place as Secretary of Eshowe Pre-Primary School in 1994. After relocating to Howick, she very soon became Secretary at a local Pre-School, where she spent 18 years as an integral member of the management of the school. In 2016 Angela accepted a challenge to join our brand-new Preschool where she continues as a dedicated member of Staff who manages the business affairs of the school. Angela is Granny to nine grandchildren. Angela loves working in the happy Preschool environment.

DIANA WEBB

TEACHER of 12 MONTHS - 2 YEAR OLDS

​Diana is Teacher / 'Mother' to our youngest group of children; she has several years’ experience in caring for and teaching children from 12 months to 4 years. Diana and Pretty work closely together in lovingly caring for our tiny-tots. Diana is married and is the mother of 3 children and granny of 2. Diana also runs our Aftercare facility.

PRETTY MLAMBO

ASSISTANT AND CHILD CARER 12 Months to 2-year-olds

Pretty is the Assistant and Child Carer to our 12 months to 2-year-old children and works alongside Diana Webb. Pretty was previously employed as a child minder and domestic worker by a local family and in their family business in Pietermaritzburg for 14 years prior to joining our Staff. She has an Early Childhood Development Level 4 and Ancillary health care certificate from the KZN Department of Education and has a valid First Aid Level 1 Certificate. Pretty has two grown up children

BRONWYN HADEN

TEACHER of 2 (turning 3) year olds

Bronwyn is teaching our 2 to 3 year old children. Bronwyn first found her love for teaching in 2004 and 2005 when doing missionary work in Kenya, through her high school. Bronwyn has always been involved in outreach programs during her school years. She studied Early Childhood Development at the Boland College in Stellenbosch and qualified in 2009. Bronwyn has continued to be very involved with NPOs and other organisations teaching children and training teachers. Bronwyn has a valid First Aid Level 1 certificate. She is married with two primary school boys.

THOBILE ZAMISA

ASSISTANT AND CHILD CARER 2 turning 3-year-olds 

​​Thobile is the Assistant and Child Carer to our 2/3-year-old children and works alongside Bronwyn Haden. Thobile has an amazing rapport with the children. The younger children naturally gravitate to Thobile because of her gentle caring personality. She has worked as a domestic worker and child carer for two local families in the past. Thobile also has a certificate in home-based care. Thobile has a daughter, who attends our school.

BRIGITTE KÖHNE – LAU

TEACHER GRADE RRR

Brigitte is our 3 /4 year old Grade RRR class teacher. Brigitte is qualified and has 16 years teaching experience both in South Africa and Hong Kong. Brigitte is very passionate about teaching and she has also given Yoga and Zumba lessons to children. Brigitte has a valid First Aid Level one certificate. She is married and has one child.

HOPE MOMBE

ASSISTANT TO GRADE RRR GROUP

Hope joined our Staff as a classroom assistant. Hope has a four-year diploma in IT, as well as 3 years’ experience in teaching computers secondary level. Hope plans to study for a diploma in Early Childhood Development as she feels she has finally found her passion, in the teaching of young children. Hope has a valid First Aid Level 1 certificate. Hope has one child.

SUBASHNI JUGDHIS

TEACHER GRADE RR 

Subashni our 4/5 year old Grade RR class. Subashni has a B.Ed degree and a masters degree and has done locum teaching at our school in the past.  She has a quiet, gentle and caring nature and loves working with little children. Subashni is married and has two boys at Primary school.

NIKKI DUCKHAM

GRADE RR TEACHER

Nikki is our Grade RR Teacher, she has a Diploma in Psychology, Diploma in Child Care, Diploma in Early Childhood Development and has a valid First Aid Level 1 Certificate. Nikki has been teaching for several years. Nikki is married with two teenage boys.

CHRISTINE ANGUS

ASSISTANT TO GRADE RR GROUP

Chrissy is Teacher Subashni’s classroom assistant. She is always willing to help and has a very good rapport with the children. Chrissy has a valid First Aid Level 1 certificate. Chrissy also fills the role as Aftercare Assistant.

NOKUTHULA ZULU

CHILD CARER & CLEANER FOR GRADES R & RR SECTION

Nokuthula is a child carer and cleaner in our Senior Section. Nokuthula is very happy to be part of our team and is finding working amongst and caring for our children is most satisfying. She is happily married and has two sons and a daughter.

JESS DU TOIT

GRADE R TEACHER

​Jess is our Grade R Teacher who has a B.Ed degree Foundation Phase. Jess has taught Grade 2 in Hoedspruit and worked as an assistant teacher at Clifton Nottingham Road. She has worked with children since 2005. Jess is married and has 2 children.

NOMA NDLOVU

CLEANER

Noma is our Cleaner; she is helpful and always willing to help where needed. Noma keeps the whole school clean and hygienic for the safety of the children and staff. Noma has one child.

Term 1: 11 January - 24 March

Term 2: 12 April – 23 June

Term 3: 18 July – 29 September

Term 4: 10 October – 13 December

Term 1: 17 January - 20 March

Term 2: 3 April – 14 June

Term 3: 9 July – 20 September

Term 4: 1 October – 11 December