A year of transformation for young learner
A Pretoria mother has shared a deeply personal account of her three-year-old daughter Maya's remarkable first year at Eduplex, describing the experience as nothing short of transformative for both parent and child.
The mother recounted how morning routines were completely upended once Maya began attending the school. Gone were the days of coaxing a sleepy toddler out of bed. Instead, Maya would leap up each morning, eyes bright with anticipation, asking eagerly whether it was a school day.
"Mom, is it school today?"
The pair even developed a playful ritual of competing to spot the school first on their daily drive — a small tradition that spoke volumes about the deep sense of belonging Maya had found within the institution's walls.
Activities ranging from horse riding on sunny mornings to sensory play involving water, sand and paint, alongside free play on expansive lawns, struck what the mother described as an ideal balance between freedom and structured discovery. It was this approach, she said, that allowed Maya to truly flourish during her first year of formal learning.
Inclusive classrooms break down barriers
Perhaps the most profound aspect of Maya's experience was the school's inclusive model. Children with hearing loss sit alongside their peers, playing, laughing and learning together as equals. Assisted by technology that enables them to hear normally, these learners are neither excluded nor singled out — they are simply classmates and friends.
"Sometimes I sit and watch Maya talk to her friends. It speaks of patience and compassion without a moment's awareness of a 'difference'. Because for her there is no difference. She sees children with loving hearts who are also only human."
The mother credited Eduplex's teaching staff as central to her daughter's growth, describing them not merely as educators but as anchors and safety nets for young learners. She noted that the teachers knew Maya intimately — her fears, her joys, her gentle nature — and that the bond was clearly reciprocal. Each afternoon, without fail, Maya insisted on personally bidding farewell to every teacher before heading home, a ritual that often extended pickup time by half an hour.
Over the course of the year, Maya's development extended well beyond academic milestones. Her vocabulary and skills expanded considerably, but it was her growth as a person that left her mother most astonished — a newfound confidence paired with gentleness, and a bold belief that she belongs in the world around her.
"This year was not just a school year. It was a gift. For Maya. But maybe even more… for me."
Eduplex will host an open day on 23 April from 08:00 to 19:00 for families wishing to learn more about the school's inclusive approach to early childhood education.
South Africa's progress toward inclusive education remains uneven, with many schools still lacking the resources or training to integrate learners with disabilities alongside their peers. Eduplex's model, where children with hearing loss learn naturally beside other pupils using assistive technology, demonstrates a practical approach that could influence early childhood education policy more broadly. As demand for accessible schooling grows, the success of such programmes may encourage wider adoption across both public and private institutions nationwide.
