Summerhill Nursery School · Midrand · Ages 18 months – 6 years
Where Every Child
Begins to Flourish
A nurturing, play-based environment where confident, curious, and capable young learners take their first steps toward a lifelong love of learning.
Welcome
A Message from our Principal
"Welcome to Summerhill Nursery School - a warm, nurturing space where every child is seen, celebrated, and supported to grow at their own pace. My name is Sonya Toet, and it is my honour to serve as Principal of our wonderful Nursery community.
I have been with Summerhill for 18 years, first as a Lead Grade One Teacher before taking up the principal role. I was privileged to train alongside Eda Gonsalves - the founding principal for our first 21 years - before stepping into this position.
Summerhill Nursery School was established in 1994 to provide our Preparatory School with well-rounded children who are fully ready for the challenges of Grade One. Our children are given every opportunity to develop to their best potential - intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially - through a rich and varied curriculum built around play.
We pride ourselves in providing solid, old-fashioned values, good manners, and a deep respect for adults and for one's environment - all achieved within a loving, nurturing space for children and parents alike."
Sonya Toet
Nursery School Principal, Summerhill School
Our Philosophy
What We Develop in Every Child
Our Nursery School pupils are children who leave us prepared for life - not just for school. Every element of our curriculum is designed to build the whole child.
Think for Themselves
Children learn to reason independently, question, explore and form their own ideas through guided discovery and open-ended play.
Judge for Themselves
We nurture decision-making confidence - helping children weigh options, understand consequences, and take ownership of their choices.
Express Creative Potential
Through Process Art, music, drama, dance, and imaginative play, every child finds their unique creative voice.
Become Technologically Aware
From our LEGO STEAM robotics programme to age-appropriate computer lessons, we introduce technology as a tool for thinking.
Value the Natural Environment
On our 8.2ha campus, children connect with nature daily - learning to care for living creatures and understand the world around them.
Develop Social-Emotional Skills
Small class sizes and a warm community ensure every child feels secure, valued, and ready to build lasting friendships.
Curriculum
A Rich, Play-Based Curriculum
We place each child's social, emotional, language, sensory, motor, cognitive and creative development at the heart of our approach. Small classes, a tranquil and secure environment, and individualised attention create the space for every child to thrive at their own pace.
Our programme brings together Buzzi Bodies for gross motor development, drama and music through Sunshine Drama, Mini Sports, STARS and STEPS, educational shows, engaging workshops and our much-loved FRIYAY experiences. Learning is joyful, meaningful and memorable through:
- Process Art - expressive, open-ended creative work
- Music & Marimba - rhythm, listening and expression
- Buzzi Bodies - structured gross motor programme
- Mini Sports - movement, teamwork and coordination
- LEGO STEAM Robotics - coding foundations
- Computer Lessons - age-appropriate digital literacy
- Educational Shows & Interactive Workshops
- A Fully Equipped Living Classroom - nature-based learning
Grade Structure
Admission Ages by Grade
All ages are calculated as of the 1st of January for that academic year (January–December intake).
Application Requirement
Your application must include proof of payment of the application fee and all required supporting documents. Applications can be saved and completed in stages.
Start ApplicationLearning Through Play
A Day at Summerhill Nursery
Our daily programme balances teacher-guided learning with creative play, movement and time to rest. Activities vary by age and day.
Half-day: 7:30am–3:00pm · Full-day: 7:30am–5:30pm
06:30–07:30
Free early care
Drop off from 6:30am at no extra charge, helping families who need to leave Midrand early to avoid traffic.
07:00–07:30
Academic support
Academic support is available for children of all ages.
From 07:30
Welcome & morning snack
Children settle into classroom activities, enjoy a daily breakfast meal and morning snack to ease the early morning rush, then join their teacher for theme discussion.
08:00–09:30
Guided learning
Group time and hands-on work build fine-motor skills, early literacy, numeracy and life skills.
10:00–12:00
Learning through play
Art, sensory activities, outdoor play and gross-motor movement encourage exploration with friends.
12:00–12:30
Lunch & stories
Children enjoy their lunch and story time, with rest built into the day for younger learners.
Afternoon
Time to recharge
The afternoon rhythm varies by age, with opportunities for rest, enrichment and play.
15:00–17:30
Full-day programme
The half-day programme ends at 3:00pm. Full-day care continues until 5:30pm, with a snack provided after 3:00pm.
Want to see the full programme and extra-mural opportunities? Explore the Nursery brochure.
View Nursery Brochure (PDF)Innovation
LEGO STEAM & Early Coding
Studies show that 80% of future jobs will require science, technology and mathematics skills. Summerhill Nursery leads the way in preparing our youngest learners for this future through the LEGO Education programme.
LEGO Education is the serious, academic branch of LEGO designed specifically to engage children in STEAM subjects through age-appropriate, inquiry-based learning. Our LEGO trained facilitator guides children through sets including:
STEAM Park (Ages 3–5)
Gears, motion, measurement and problem-solving through building a theme park.
Early Simple Machines (Ages 4–5)
Exploring real-world science concepts - gears, levers, pulleys, wheels and energy.
Coding Express Train (Ages 5+)
Basic coding concepts including looping, sequencing and conditional coding.
Campus & Nature
World-Class Facilities in Nature
Our 8.2ha campus is bordered by a protected wetland and indigenous trees - a genuine oasis in Midrand where children learn surrounded by nature.
Spacious Classrooms
Recently enlarged Grade 0 classrooms designed for active, hands-on learning.
Living Classroom
An outdoor learning environment where children connect with nature, plants and animals daily.
Sports Facilities
Swimming, soccer and gross motor areas supporting our Buzzi Bodies programme.
Art & Music Rooms
Dedicated creative spaces for process art, marimba and music exploration.
LEGO & Computer Labs
Technology learning areas with LEGO Education sets and age-appropriate computing.
Secure, Tranquil Grounds
A safe environment where children can explore freely within our beautiful campus.
Parent Voices
What Our Parents Say
We are incredibly proud of the relationships we build with our families. Here is what some of our parents have shared about their Summerhill Nursery experience.
My kids have had such an amazing experience at the school. Thank you to the teachers for their love towards our little ones!
Thank you particularly to Teacher Rosa for helping my son through such a difficult period and holding his hand through this year.
Lungile Mbatha
Good day Teacher Sandra,
Thank you for laying a strong foundation for me to fly into Grade 1. I have landed safely and the past nine months have been a breeze of fresh air.
You are an Angel that let me rest on your strong wings while I was learning to fly on my own.
I love and miss you dearly.
Ngula Mabasa
Dear Connie, Nomzamo & Lesedi,
We do not have enough words to express our sincere gratitude for all the love and care you gave Simeon in the Red Foxes class. He has really blossomed into an amazing "big" boy. Daily we are surprised by his development and we firmly believe that it is because of the good foundation it has been built on.
Connie, his other mommy, I wish in many ways that you could just go with him wherever he goes. Your wonderful heart and patience have carried him, guided him and given him all the comfort he needed. You are truly one of a kind!
Lesedi & Nomzamo - you two are fantastic. Juggling your own children and ours. I take my hat off to you! I sometimes have so many emotions with just one. Thank you so much for your patience and care.
I am grateful that Simi will still see you daily in some way or another. He is very fond of all of you.
As we leave you with the other precious young ones to give the same care, blessings to all of you.
Chantelle & André
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful job you all and Teacher Star have done with my daughter thus far. We had our progress review meeting today and it went very well. Teacher Star was happy with how well she is doing and how she adjusted, as was I.
The teacher's dedication, patience, and creativity have truly made a positive impact on her learning experience. She looks forward to going to school every day and has shown tremendous growth under Teacher Star's guidance.
Thank you for all your hard work and commitment to your students. I am really happy with the school and look forward to us being with you all next year.
Nursery Parent
My greatest appreciation goes to all the teachers, especially Mrs. M and the Nursery School teachers, Teacher Rosa and Teacher Roxanne.
Especially Teacher Caressa, for the time and patience she puts into her kids. She is a gem of a teacher, taking the time to get to know Mekhai and understand him. You have no idea how much that has impacted him.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mrs. Toet, you have done an amazing job with the Nursery School. Thank you so much.
Prabashnee Kuppen
Summerhill Nursery is absolutely fantastic. In the four years we have been here, every single year we have had an awesome teacher—the type of teacher who genuinely cares about the children, their development and their wellbeing.
Leslie Dominique Bugan
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from Parents
School Life Gallery
In Pictures
Enrolment Open
Give Your Child the Best Start
Limited spaces available for the 2025 academic year. We would love to show you around and help you decide if Summerhill is the right home for your child.