Parents' Reviews

All 3 our boys had the privilege of being in Valmary Park Pre-Primary School. They provide such a caring and nurturing environment that promotes not only learning, but character and emotional growth. The teachers are academically excellent and are set apart from others in the way that they invest in and get to know each child’s personal characters. We are sad our journey with them is over.

TANIA ROSSER

We absolutely loved our time at Valmary Park Pre-Primary! From the very start, all the fantastic Teachers and Staff showed such love and care for all the children. Their concern and guidance made for a safe, wholesome, and kind environment for all the children to thrive in – the school has an amazing ‘family feel’ to it. Valmary Park perfectly prepares the children for the leap into Grade 1, not only educationally, but emotionally as well. Grade 1 is not ‘scary’ for us at all, as we quickly saw how well equipped Valmary Park had made us to deal with all the work and routines that come with ‘big school’. Thank you to everyone at Valmary Park Pre-Primary for setting such a great example, and for giving our children such an amazing foundation to begin their schooling careers.

Clair Newton

Valmary Park is an amazing pre-school…from the building and the facilities to the teachers and their ethos. Children are encouraged to learn through Play. Each child is accepted as an individual and there is warmth and laughter every time you pop in. I would highly recommend enrolling your child there.

Tracy Bekker

I want to start by saying what a blessing it was to have my kids attend this school. I have a son and daughter who both attended Valmary Park Pre-Primary School and both of them still speak of the fond memories ‘Ma’am’, the principal – Mrs Cathy Janse van Rensburg – has left with them. I can tell you that this school understands the value of play – oh, and how my kids loved this as they learned. What makes this school special is that the Staff knows your child by name. My daughter also loved the Maths teacher Ms Pheiffer and I believe it’s because of this teacher that she is turning into a little mathematician. In winter the kids may Wellingtons to school and their slippers indoors – which is very cosy! Also the bathrooms are positioned so that the teacher can see your child from the classroom – I loved that. The school also promotes healthy eating (fruit platters at snack time). We so enjoyed the Mini Walk – we even attended after the kids had left – everyone is always welcome! Any parent who is looking to enrol their child at this school will be blessed to get a spot.

CHERYLENE VAN HARTE

I was so fortunate to have my 3 daughters at Valmary Park Pre-Primary over a period of 5 years. Each of them was there for 2 years and my youngest 2 overlapped for a year. It was like being part of a big family. The guidance that we received from the staff under the able leadership of Mrs Cathy van Rensburg was phenomenal. What I really loved was the fact that each of my girls were seen as individuals and not compared but allowed to develop their special and unique talents and personalities. They also so enjoyed their years there and are now young adults and still speak fondly of their time at this amazing school. Thank you VPP!

MICHELLE H.

"I have both taught and my children have attended Valmary Park Pre-Primary School. Their educational approach is very in tune with the whole child and their individual needs. The teachers are very experienced, well trained and treat each child with kindness, love and respect. One of the most delightful and professional Pre-Primary schools in the entire Durbanville area."

LINDA V HAGHT

"From super intelligent to special needs - we had them all! Valmary Park Pre-Primary School gave us the best tools to deal with each of our 4 children in a unique and special way. They will always be our only suggestion if someone asks about Pre-Primary schools. They will welcome you and your child like family. You can rest assured that your child will be looked after, cared for, and loved every day of his/her journey. Valmary Park makes getting ready for 'big school' so much easier! They will always be our Number 1 choice for a Pre-Primary School!!!!"

THE HAYE FAMILY

"Always THE best school!!

CINDY EKRON

"What a great investment it was to have had our 3 very active kids at Valmary Park Pre-Primary School! The school, environment and Staff have stood our children in good stead to be very successful young parents and adults in the workplace today. Being grandparents now we realise even more how important it is for a solid Grade R foundation. All aspects of our kids' wellbeing were addressed immediately so that the necessary action could be taken thereby making the transition to Grade 1 effortless. We will indeed be eternally grateful to Cathy van Rensburg and the entire Staff for their input in the growth of the Villet kids. Best wishes to all...may Valmary Park Pre- Primary School continue to go from strength to strength and remain being the top Grade R institution".

NOLLIE AND CALET

We have had the pleasure of all 3 of our children attending Valmary Park Pre-Primary School, over the past few years. They say you leave as family - well that is very true! The Staff and teachers go above and beyond to ensure each child’s journey is not only top-quality education but also fun and enriching in a loving environment. Thank you, Cathy & team, for all that you are to our children! My 14-year-old still speaks fondly of “Ma’am”

NICOLE REDMOND, Mom of 3

Valmary Park Pre-Primary is that rare school that instils an old-style value system with the most recent teaching trends for the Foundation phase. Our daughter attended the school in 2017 and our family still retains informal ties with the staff and the school. It’s that kind of school. We’d lived abroad prior to returning home, and while her adjustment to school was not easy, by year’s end, she was a far more confident child than the one who had begun the year in January. The Staff at Valmary Park Pre-Primary care for each child and the family of that child. It is a comparatively small English-medium early learning school in Durbanville with a competitive fee structure. It serves a diverse population that makes for interesting years for your child and for the parent. If you’re searching for a caring, and up-to-date school for your children, your children will be well-served learning the foundations of schooling here. If you’re coming from outside Durbanville, you’ll be wise to consider this school.

ALAN & BEV CHRISTOFFELS

It was such a privilege to have both our kids in Valmary Park for their Grade R year. What a special little school. The Principal, Cathy van Rensburg, was incredible and her years of experience were so evident as we witnessed each child’s self-confidence grow. It was such an important foundation year, before heading to Grade 1 and it was a huge relief to know that our children were being taught the skills and preparation then needed for ‘big school’. Constructive play formed such a big part of their year and it was so special to see them running into school each morning excited for the day ahead. Each teacher and care-giver truly made them feel loved. I would recommend Valmary Park Pre-Primary School to any parent looking for a school that will nurture and grow their child, with amazing support given to each parent too. We are so grateful to have had such special years there.

JULIET HADLEY

My daughter was privileged to attend Valmary Park Pre-primary for Pre- Grade R and Grade R. Here she got the best start to her formal education - a solid grounding that has stood her in good stead in all areas. She still speaks of the happy times spent playing in the magnificent garden with her friends. Valmary Park’s team of exceptional and experienced teachers, under the expert guidance of the Principal Cathy van Rensburg, can bring out the best in each child in a loving, respectful and joyful way. In this small and caring environment, each child is known and valued for who they are. Families are made to feel welcome and part of the school and are empowered to facilitate the development of their child. Valmary Park Pre-Primary truly lives up to its motto, “An Education for a lifetime “. It is a gem that absolutely stands head and shoulders above the many other Pre-primary schools in the area.

SUE RUMBLE

"Valmary Park Pre-Primary School created the best platform for my daughter with the transition of Pre-school to Big school. The teachers form such a warm, happy environment, that the kids are so sad to leave at the end of the year. We thoroughly enjoyed our Grade R year with Mrs Cathy Janse van Rensburg and Miss Marion Pheiffer - continue loving and caring for the kids like you do" Thank you!!

ANGIE AND ALEXIA THACKER

Good morning Cathy and Team Valmary Park I wanted to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to you all, not only for the wonderful evening but also for the wonder journey we have had with Valmary Park Pre-Primary School. Last night’s concert was simply AMAZING. The opportunity for the kids to do their things, express themselves and showcase was amazing, but what is noticed and so very appreciated is the supportive and encouraging foundation that it is all based on. You ladies all clearly take such pride in what you do, and this is evident and makes Valmary Park the success that it is. I am so VERY grateful for this. Last night’s planning, as with the last 2 years, just showed us once again, that planning, as important as it is, can be null and void by a single situation. Just like with Covid and the Spur, your team handles it well by pulling together, keeping a professional calm, making the necessary on the fly adjustments and going with the flow, still making everything happen. I spend my profession coaching teaching people how to deal with our VUCA world we live in and adjusting mindsets to cope with constant change and complexity and what I observed last night was simply phenomenal. You have all handled the past 2 years so very well and including last night, we all still had a fantastic evening. Thank you for that and thank you all for being the amazing team that you are with clearly a phenomenal leader. The last comment I would like to share is that you and your team are a phenomenal source of inspiration to us as parents, in particular the discipline that is observed with every interaction. Last night again, was such a great testament to the balance that you all display between clearly acceptable boundaries in a loving and encouraging way. You have managed as a school to get it so perfectly balanced, and I not only admire that, and am entirely grateful for the lessons I have learnt in the past 2 years from interactions, but I so wish we could bottle it and spread is more widely. If ever you need a business idea, I think you could offer courses to parents to teach the skill of getting the balance right. Thank you for this, it is again, what makes Valmary Park so special and such a solid foundation for our kids to carry with them always. I am so sad to say goodbye and wish I could copy and paste your school’s essence and approach to all future experiences that our kids have going forward, but I am MOST grateful and we as a family have had 2 years of it. We are very blessed and privileged, so again, I thank you all and long may it continue to last so that many more lives can be touched. You have earned a good break; enjoy it and all the very best for the future endeavours and adventures. We will most certainly be popping in to visit from time to time. Merry Xmas Lots of love, The Godden Family.

THE GODDEN FAMILY –following the Burger Night