"I am so grateful for the support, passion and consistency that MELF has given us this year. In an unprecedented world pandemic, they were able to rise to the occasion and still continue to provide us with the best education while meeting the needs of each individual student. The amazingly strong team of women that carry MELF have been able to tackle every single challenge faced with grace and complete leadership and it has been incredibly valuable to watch them handle such insecure times with such strength and wisdom. Although this year has turned out to be completely different than expected, I am eternally grateful for being able to experience all that MELF has to offer and would encourage anyone with the goals of becoming a Montessori Educator to take that path through MELF! - Lara Carikas, 2020, Full time student
"My experience at MELF has been warm and unforgettable to say the least, thanks to the amiable staff. The environment is child-friendly and has really sensitized my mind to what early child care/development deeply entail. The theory and practical activities have also fine-tuned my knowledge on child care to know that children deserve respect which stimulates their confidence and independence later in life." - Aniebo Hagan, 2020, Full time student
"I started my 3-6 year old full time course in February 2019, it was hard work, took dedication and time but I enjoyed every minute of it. Doing assignments, research and making materials became part of my weekend schedule and had me up late at night not because of deadlines but because I wanted to make sure I was ahead of myself and was able to ask for help way in advance if I needed it and help was never refused by the MELF team. I joined in group activities, college outings and visited different Montessori schools to gain experience and I absolutely loved it, being in the environment and gaining knowledge on how things are done, was a real eye opener for me and gave me a broader understanding on how things are done. Ever since I stepped foot into the doors of MELF, I always felt welcome, always felt as if I belonged and always had the support of the MELF team. I've learnt and grown so much in the past year and look forward to my Montessorian future ahead. Thank you to Hawa, Shamiemah, Kate, Mandisa and Insaaf for believing in your students and always going the extra mile." - Tayla Shalene Neethling, 2019, Full Time
"The one year I spent at Montessori Early Learning Foundation (MELF), was one of the best years of my life. I am passionate about education- so the course was a perfect fit. Starting out I assumed the program would be a walk in the park, after having completed an Honours Degree and Post Grad Diploma. Oh man, was I wrong! The course required me to apply myself fully and tap into potential I never knew I had. I applied myself fully to my work and gave it undivided attention. The support from the dedicated lecturers and staff at MELF created a conducive environment for me to achieve my goals and be competent in all the courses. My take away lesson from this experience was that hard work pays off. I have an incredible career path ahead of me because of what l learned at MELF and from networking with other classmates." - Constance Chitekwe, 2018, Full time.
"I was a student at MELF in the class of 2018/19 and I am now doing my teaching practice which is the final stage in me becoming a Montessori directress. My time at MELF was overall a good experience, it has given me the tools to work with children which has always been something I wanted to do. I can't wait for the next chapter of this experience." - Megan Bowman, 2018-2019
"I studied at ELF in the year 2018-2019 full time course. And enjoyed the experience and gained great knowledge of Montessori environment and philosophy with extensive training both in theory and practical. ELFs materials were fully equipped and in good condition allowing us to work freely with the materials. The staff were super helpful and It was Shamiemah, past lecturer who guided and put me forward in getting my current job here in Vietnam at a Montessori school, which I am internally grateful for. - Jade Reidy, 2018-2019, Full Time Student
"Awesome teaching and support staff. When it came down to practical and theory exam time, my lecturer reminded me that because of all my efforts to practise with the Montessori didactic materials, the understanding of the philosophy would just make sense and it did! "What the hand does, the mind remembers" -Maria Montessori - Robyn Hood, Part-time student
"I enjoyed the training because we learnt a lot about teaching the children on how to take care of themselves, how to do activities with the children to improve their motor skills and also learnt how to positively discipline children. There is a big difference from children ever since we did the training. The children are so independent they even wash their own dishes and also open doors with respect." – Siphokazi Fatyela 26/11/2015
