A small world where childhood is taken seriously.
A family pre-school for children aged two to six. Small classes, a big garden, and teachers who know every child by name — since 1973.
Fifty-two years on the same quiet street in Blairgowrie. Same garden, same warmth.
The garden
Morning ring
A family school, quietly doing the work of early learning.
Rooted in Blairgowrie, family-run for over fifty years.
A registered Non-Profit Company welcoming 140 children between two and six. Play-based, garden-led, and unhurried.
The process of doing is far more important than the end product.— the Thabile way
Everything we do is rooted in play.
Not because we take learning lightly, but because we understand how children actually learn — through movement, imagination, mess, and joy. We don't drill. We sing, climb, paint, tell stories, argue kindly, and trust the process.
Principal Jacki Graham has been here from the start.
Principal Jacki Graham has been here from the start, and some things haven't changed. She still takes every class for ring time, still knows every child by name, and still believes that a school where the principal knows your child is a school where your child feels safe
Four stages, each with its own rhythm.
Gentle routines built around sand, water, song, and the first brave mornings away from home.
Friendships spark, stories grow, and suddenly the world is full of things that need to be built.
Questions get bigger, fingers get busier, and sitting still for five whole minutes becomes a real achievement.
A full year of books, puzzles, and projects — and the slow work of becoming a child who is ready.
A rhythm, not a schedule.
Block work
From gentle arrivals to the last goodbye.
Gentle arrivalsFree play in the garden as everyone settles in.
Slow startMorning ringSongs, news, weather and the day's story.
TogetherFocused activitiesArt, puzzles, projects, early literacy and numeracy.
Heads downSnack & outdoor playSandpit, climbing frame, trikes.
Fresh airCreative & movementMusic, dance, drama or extra-murals.
Noise!Lunch & storyA communal lunch and a quiet read-aloud.
CalmHome timeMain school closes. Some stay for Linger Longer.
Bye!Linger Longer aftercareRest, snack, outdoor play, quiet creative time.
OptionalWhat else a Thabile week holds.
Facilities
- Secure grounds
- Large garden & jungle gym
- Themed library corner
- Art & pottery room
- Music & movement hall
Extra-murals
- Ball Skills
- Ballet
- Karate
- Pottery
- Tumbling Tigers
Linger Longer aftercare
We know the school day and the work day don't always end at the same time. Aftercare is available from 12:45 to 16:45, billed by the hour — rest, snack, outdoor play, and quiet time.
R25 / hour
Pottery · Fridays
An active parent community
Class parties, Sports Day, the school concert, fundraisers, and an elected Parent Association that really does the work. But it's more than a calendar of events. It's the dad who always arrives early to help set up, the mom who somehow knows every child's name by the second week, the group chat that starts as school admin and ends as genuine friendship. At Thabile, parents don't just drop off and collect — they belong. And that sense of belonging is as valuable as everything happening inside the classroom.
From our families.
"Our daughter went through Thabile a decade ago. Our son is here now. Same warmth, same teachers, same garden."
"We did five school tours. Thabile was the quietest. The calmest. The one that felt least like a sales pitch."
"Jacki doesn't just know my son's name. She knows he's shy on Mondays and can't sit near Leo at lunch."
Fees, three ways.
Single EFT, due 31 January — the simplest option for a busy family.
Due the first Friday of each term, on either the private or government calendar.
Due by the 7th of each month, ten payments spread across the year.
R25 per hour, billed on account.
- 12:45 – 13:45 · rest & snack
- 13:45 – 14:45 · outdoor free play
- 14:45 – 15:45 · creative & story time
- 15:45 – 16:45 · late pick-up window
Per class, per payment option.
We send the detailed fee letter with every acceptance pack, and by request at any time.
Common questions.
At what age can my child start?
We accept children from age 2 (full toilet-training is not required). The child must be 2 by the start of the term they join.
Are you registered with the Gauteng Department of Education?
Yes. Thabile is a registered Non-Profit Company and complies with all ECD and Grade R registration requirements in Gauteng.
How do I apply, and is there a waiting list?
Complete the online application form. We respond within five working days. Grade R has a waiting list; applying early is encouraged.
Do you follow private or government school terms?
Both. We offer a private calendar (3 terms) and a government calendar (4 terms) so families can align siblings' holidays.
Can I visit before applying?
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Tours are by appointment, usually during the school morning.
Ask us anything — we reply the same day.
A real person picks up between 07:00 and 12:30, Monday to Friday. No queues, no auto-responders.
- Availability for your child's year
- The 2026 fee schedule
- Tour dates & what to expect
- Anything else at all
Office hours · Mon – Fri · 07:00 – 12:30
Come and visit.
- Tel011 787 7331
- Fax011 886 4524
- Cell082 573 2896