Matla Pre School learners and staff marching in a community parade with South African flags

Proudly Matla

Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders, Today

A safe, nurturing and innovative learning environment in the heart of Mdeni, Soweto.

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Proudly the first preschool in Soweto powered by the LittleHive Preschool Management System.

Matla Pre School learners and their teacher outside the classrooms in Mdeni, Soweto

One big Matla family

Every child known by name, every day.

About Us

Welcome to Matla Pre School

Established in 1965, Matla Pre School is one of Soweto's longest-serving preschools — a trusted home of early learning where generations of families have begun their education journey.

With 108 happy learners guided by 7 qualified teachers, every child is known by name and supported with individual attention. We accept children from 2 to 6 years and our passionate educators inspire curiosity, creativity, confidence, and independence through iPad learning, math storytelling, vocabulary building, and meaningful hands-on experiences that prepare children for lifelong success.

Happy Learners

Qualified Teachers

Parent Satisfaction

Years of Excellence

Word from the Principal's Office

A message of welcome

From the desk of our Principal, Zuzile Mthi.

Zuzile Mthi, Principal of Matla Pre School

Dear parents and friends of Matla, welcome. Since 1965, this school has been a place where the children of Emndeni South are loved, protected and prepared for the future — and it is my honour to continue that legacy every single day.

At Matla, your child is not a number. With small classes and qualified, devoted teachers, we know every learner by name, by smile and by dream. From iPad learning and robotics to storytelling and play, we give our children the wings they need to fly higher.

My door — and my phone line — is always open. I look forward to welcoming your family into ours.

Why Choose Matla

Everything a growing child needs, under one roof

Excellence in care, learning and technology — designed around your child's happiness and safety.

Safe Learning Environment

Secure access control, CCTV and trained staff on duty all day.

Qualified Teachers

ECD-qualified educators with first-aid and child development training.

Healthy Meals

Freshly prepared, nutritionist-approved breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Small Class Sizes

Low ratios so every child receives genuine individual attention.

Interactive Learning

Play-based, hands-on lessons that make learning irresistible.

Modern Classrooms

Bright, airy, thoughtfully resourced rooms designed for little minds.

Outdoor Play

Safe playgrounds that build strength, balance and friendships.

Creative Arts

Painting, crafting and imaginative play that grow self-expression.

Music & Movement

Rhythm, song and dance for language, memory and joy.

Digital Learning

Age-appropriate screen time with purposeful educational software.

LittleHive Smart School Technology

Real-time updates from classroom to parent, every single day.

Future Ready Education

Preparing Children for Tomorrow's Digital World

Matla Pre School introduces children to future-focused learning from an early age — blending play, curiosity and technology so our learners step into big school already confident with the tools of tomorrow.

Preschool children exploring robotics and computing at Matla Pre School

iPad Learning

Interactive tablets and educational apps that make early math, reading and discovery fun.

Robotics

Hands-on robotics activities that build creativity, teamwork, and logical thinking.

Digital Literacy

Teach children how to confidently and safely interact with technology.

Coding Concepts

Introduce coding through games, puzzles, and interactive activities.

Math Storytelling

Stories, songs and games that turn numbers into adventures and build vocabulary.

Digital Creativity

Drawing, storytelling, educational games, and technology-assisted creative learning.

Learning Programmes

A programme for every stage of growing up

Carefully structured days that balance care, play, discovery and school readiness for children aged 2 – 6 years.

Little Ones

2 – 3 Years

Daily Activities

Sensory Play
Music
Early Communication
Motor Skills
Routine

Learning Outcomes

Secure attachment, early language sounds, confident movement and first friendships.

Enquire about Little Ones

Middle Group

3 – 4 Years

Daily Activities

Numbers
Alphabet
Storytelling
Outdoor Play
Arts & Crafts
Vocabulary

Learning Outcomes

Independence, vocabulary growth, sharing and early number sense.

Enquire about Middle Group

Pre-Grade R

4 – 5 Years

Daily Activities

Reading Readiness
Mathematics
Math Storytelling
iPad Learning
Creative Thinking
Computing Basics

Learning Outcomes

Phonics fluency, problem solving, math storytelling and comfortable first computing skills.

Enquire about Pre-Grade R

Grade R

5 – 6 Years

Daily Activities

School Readiness
Reading
Mathematics
Math Storytelling
iPad Learning
Robotics
Computing
Digital Literacy

Learning Outcomes

Grade 1 ready — reading, writing, reasoning, vocabulary and digital confidence.

Enquire about Grade R

Our Classes

Meet the Groups of Matla

Four classes, each with its own colour, classroom and dedicated teachers.

Matla Pre School Grade R class in blue jackets seated with their teacher in front of the painted alphabet wall

Grade R Group

Grade R (5 – 6 years)

Our big kids in blue — school-ready, confident and full of questions as they prepare for Grade 1.

Matla Pre School Pre-Grade R class in red aprons seated on the alphabet mat with their teachers

Red Group

Pre-Grade R (4 – 5 years)

Four to five year olds in red aprons — sounds, numbers, iPad learning and getting ready for big school.

Matla Pre School middle group class in green aprons seated with their teachers

Green Group

Middle Group (3 – 4 years)

Three to four year olds building vocabulary, routine, early math storytelling and friendships every day.

Matla Pre School toddler group in blue aprons seated with their teacher

Blue Group

Little Ones (2 – 3 years)

Our youngest in blue — gentle care, lots of cuddles and their very first lessons through play.

Daily Routine

A joyful, predictable day

Rhythm gives children security. Here's how a day at Matla unfolds.

Arrival

07:00 – 08:00

Warm welcome, free play and LittleHive live check-in.

Breakfast

08:00 – 08:30

A nutritious start to the day together.

Morning Circle

08:30 – 09:00

Songs, news, weather and the daily theme.

Learning Activities

09:00 – 10:00

Literacy, numeracy, vocabulary and discovery stations.

Robotics & Computer Class

10:00 – 12:00

Grade R robotics, coding and guided iPad learning; other groups rotate through computing.

Lunch

11:15 – 13:00

Balanced, freshly cooked meals served by class and group.

Nap Time

12:00 – 14:30

Quiet rest for the Little Ones, Middle and Pre-Grade R groups in calm, supervised spaces.

iPad & Math Storytelling

13:00 – 14:00

Interactive tablets, math stories and vocabulary games for the awake groups.

Outdoor Play

14:30 – 15:30

Fresh air, movement and friendships on the playground.

Creative Activities

15:30 – 16:00

Art, music, drama and storytelling to end the day.

Home Time

16:00

Digital daily report sent to every parent.

Nutrition & Garden

Nourished Bodies, Growing Minds

Healthy meals cooked on site and a thriving vegetable garden tended by our team and our little farmers.

Matla Pre School cook holding a tray of freshly prepared pap in the school kitchen

Freshly Cooked Every Day

Our kitchen team prepares balanced breakfasts, lunches and snacks on site — never reheated, never rushed.

Our Own Food Garden

Spinach, cabbage, beetroot, lettuce and onions grow right here on our grounds and go straight to the pot.

Garden-to-Plate Learning

Children help plant, water and harvest — learning where healthy food really comes from.

Groundsman turning the soil between rows of cabbage in the Matla Pre School food garden — Tending the beds — cabbage, spinach and onions in season.

Rows of lettuce and spinach growing in the Matla Pre School vegetable garden — From our garden to your child's plate, every single week.

Our Campus

A Good Foundation for a Better Future

Colourful, secure and full of life — take a walk through the spaces where our children learn and play every day.

The Matla Pre School campus in Mdeni, Soweto with its painted tyre walkway, classrooms and playground — Our tyre-lined walkway, shaded courtyard and secure grounds — the heart of Matla.

Children laughing on the jungle gym during outdoor play at Matla Pre School — Free play, big laughs and plenty of fresh Soweto sunshine.

Children reading picture books on the mat in the Matla Pre School library corner

A learner holding up a storybook during quiet reading time at Matla Pre School

Our Reading Corner

Every Child a Reader

Our library nook is stocked with picture books in English and isiZulu, soft mats and cosy cushions. Daily story time builds vocabulary, imagination and a genuine love of books long before Grade 1.

Daily guided story time in every class
Home-reading books children may borrow
Books in English and isiZulu

LittleHive Technology

The First Preschool in Soweto Powered by LittleHive

Paperless administration and a live window into your child's day — from attendance and development to messages and fee statements, all in one secure parent portal.

Parent Login Enroll your child

LittleHive · Parent Dashboard

Checked in

07:12

Mood today

Happy

Meals eaten

3 / 3

Development progress

Literacy82%

Numeracy74%

Digital skills91%

Fees: Paid in fullNew message from Teacher Naledi

Attendance Tracking

Progress Reports

Homework

Announcements

Fee Statements

Payments

Parent Messaging

Child Development Reports

Notifications

Parent Portal

LittleHive creche management system — secure cloud platform, AI powered, encrypted data, fast support and automatic backups — Matla Pre School runs on LittleHive — enterprise-grade, cloud-based technology keeping your child's data secure, backed up and available on any device.

Gallery

Life at Matla Pre School

Moments of learning, laughter and discovery from our campus in Mdeni.

Swipe left or right to browse more photos

School Calendar

Special days at Matla

Our year is full of moments worth showing up for — dress-up days, sports, community mornings and big milestones.

Career Day

Our little ones dress up as doctors, nurses, chefs, builders, pilots and teachers — complete with stethoscopes, first-aid kits and hard hats — and tell us who they want to become.

08:30 – 11:00 Matla school hall

Zoo Day

Our annual zoo outing lets learners meet animals up close, learn about wildlife and pose with the famous gorilla statue — a day of wonder, discovery and big smiles.

08:00 – 14:00 Johannesburg Zoo

Pajama Day

Everyone comes to school in their favourite pyjamas and gowns for a cosy day of stories, hot chocolate, teddy bears and outdoor play — slippers and all.

08:00 – 13:00 Matla classrooms & playground

Birthday Celebrations

Every child's special day is celebrated with cake, songs and a birthday crown — families are welcome to send treats to share with the class.

During morning ring Your child's classroom

Road Safety Day

A hands-on day with hard hats, road signs and real practice at crossing safely.

09:00 – 12:00 School yard & Mdeni street crossing

Heritage Day Celebration

Traditional dress, song, dance and a shared meal celebrating every culture in our Matla family.

09:00 – 13:00 Matla courtyard

Dates for the current term are confirmed on the LittleHive parent portal — or call us on +27 72 484 6500.

Community Volunteer Visit

Mandela Day at Matla

A visiting volunteer team joined Matla for a day of community service, helping with meals and our food garden. They were valued volunteers for the day, not official partners, school members or representatives of Matla Pre School.

Mandela Day Visit

Visiting volunteers gave their time to serve meals and support our school community.

Food Garden Support

Volunteers helped plant vegetables and set up irrigation for the school food garden.

Community in Action

This was a volunteer visit, not an official partnership or membership of Matla Pre School.

Serving meals on Mandela Day

Visiting volunteers prepare and serve a warm, nutritious meal for our learners as part of Mandela Day's 67 Minutes.

Meet the Matla Team

A caring team behind every learner

From classroom learning and robotics to nutritious meals and beautiful grounds, every team member helps children feel safe, supported and ready to grow.

4Learning groups

2–6Years welcomed

1965Serving Soweto since

Zuzile Mthi

Principal

Leadership

School leadership

Leads Matla's learning community and serves as the school's 24-hour emergency contact.

Lindi Aphane

Vice Principal

Leadership & TeachingLevel 4

Grade R

Supports school leadership while guiding the Grade R learners in their final preschool year.

Lina Sangweni

Grade RR Teacher

TeachingLevel 4

Ages 4–5 years

Prepares learners for Grade R through age-appropriate classroom learning and development.

Hlengiwe Dlamini

Group 2 Teacher

TeachingLevel 4

Ages 3–4 years

Guides growing learners through structured play, language development and daily routines.

Phumzile Ndaba

Group 2 Teacher

TeachingLevel 4

Ages 3–4 years

Works with the Group 2 learners to build confidence, independence and social skills.

Sylvia Serero

Group 1 Teacher

TeachingLevel 4

Ages 2–3 years

Creates a warm and reassuring first learning environment for Matla's youngest group.

Lebogang

Robotics Facilitator

Specialist

Future-ready learning

Introduces Grade R learners to robotics, problem-solving and technology through practical activities.

Njengabantu Dlamini

Gardener

Support Team

Grounds & food garden

Cares for the school grounds and garden spaces that support outdoor discovery and learning.

Zandile Xaba

Cook

Support Team

Nutrition & kitchen

Supports the children's school day by preparing their daily meals with care.

Lettia Mofokeng

Housekeeper

Support Team

Care & cleanliness

Helps maintain the clean, welcoming spaces our children use throughout each day.

Testimonials

Loved by Soweto parents

Real families, real experiences at Matla Pre School.

"The LittleHive portal changed everything for me. I see when my daughter arrives, what she ate and how she is progressing — all before I even leave work."
TThandeka MokoenaMother of Lesedi, Grade R