Pinelands Play Sense
Play-based preschool for ages 2-4 in Pinelands
About Pinelands Play Sense
Part of the Play Sense network founded by occupational therapist Meg Faure, Pinelands Play Sense offers play-based early childhood education for children aged 2 to 4 years. Teacher Justine Norman brings 9 years of experience and formal training in early childhood development to create a nurturing, home-based environment. The curriculum incorporates sensory play, language skills, emotional and social development, and fine and gross motor skills through art, stories, music, movement, and play. Reviewers consistently praise the warm, caring atmosphere where children happily run in each morning.
Customer Reviews
What customers say
- Teacher models emotional intelligence and kindnessMultiple reviewers highlight that Justine models emotional intelligence, empathy, kindness, and compassion in her teaching approach and daily interactions with children.
- Children love attending and show enthusiasm for schoolParents report their children happily run in each morning, love going to school, and are surprised by what they learn.
- Nurturing, homely, and caring environmentReviewers describe the school as providing a warm, nurturing, homely environment where children feel loved and well cared for.
- Daily communication and photo updates with parentsParents receive photos every day of school activities and Justine is always happy to discuss their child's development.
- Support with developmental milestones and special needsJustine assisted with potty training and helped identify when a child needed occupational therapy, then incorporated OT exercises into school activities.
- Indoor and outdoor play spaces with good facilitiesSchool has plenty of indoor space for rainy days, a leafy garden with equipment for gross motor development, and an inside-outside flow design.
Marcia Motlanthe
Justine is honestly the loveliest preschool teacher you could hope for. She doesn’t just teach emotional intelligence, empathy, kindness and compassion, she models it! Couldn’t recommend her more if I tried.
Kerry van der Merwe
A truly fantastic play school! My daughter has been at Pinelands Play Sense with Justine for 2 years. She loves going to school, and happily runs in each morning. Justine is gentle, calm and caring and has lots of experience with this age group. We receive photos every day of what they got up to at school, and Justine is always happy to chat about my daughter’s development. There is plenty of space to play indoors on rainy days, and a leafy garden for when the weather is good. I am so happy we chose this school for our daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group does Play Sense Pinelands accept?
Play Sense Pinelands welcomes children aged 2 to 4 years old. The playschool operates with small class sizes to ensure each child receives personalized attention and care during their early learning journey.
What is the Play Sense curriculum based on?
The curriculum at Play Sense Pinelands is play-based, focusing on sensory play, language skills, emotional and social development, and fine and gross motor skills. The school delivers a comprehensive year-round curriculum with monthly themes and weekly subthemes through art, stories, music, movement, and play.
Does Play Sense Pinelands have outdoor play facilities?
Yes, Play Sense Pinelands features a large leafy garden with space to run and equipment to climb, supporting gross motor development. The playschool is designed with an inside-outside flow, allowing children to play year-round regardless of weather.
Who teaches at Play Sense Pinelands?
Justine Norman, the owner and teacher at Play Sense Pinelands, brings 9 years of experience working with young children and formal training in early childhood development. She models emotional intelligence, empathy, and kindness in her teaching approach, creating a nurturing environment where children feel loved and cared for.
How do parents stay informed about their child's progress at Play Sense Pinelands?
Parents receive photos daily of school activities and learning moments at Play Sense Pinelands. Justine is always available to discuss your child's development and milestones, ensuring open communication between home and school.
Is Play Sense Pinelands part of a larger network?
Yes, Play Sense Pinelands is part of the Play Sense network, a reimagined early childhood education model co-founded by Meg Faure, an occupational therapist and author of the Sense Series. This affiliation ensures the playschool follows evidence-based practices in early childhood development.
What makes the learning environment at Play Sense Pinelands special?
Play Sense Pinelands offers a home-based playschool model with a warm, nurturing atmosphere where children feel secure and excited to learn. The inside-outside flow design, combined with Justine's focus on emotional intelligence and developmental support, creates an environment where children thrive and develop a genuine love for learning.
Does Play Sense Pinelands support children with developmental needs?
Yes, Play Sense Pinelands provides support with developmental milestones and can assist with transitions like potty training. Justine has experience identifying when children may benefit from additional support, such as occupational therapy, and can incorporate therapeutic exercises into school activities when needed.