Board Members
Jacquelyn Price
ECD Best Practice Specialist
and Montessori
Naomi Jansen
Community Development
Andrea Britt
Marketing and
Communications
Staff Members
Board of Directors - Leanne Reid
With business experience spanning market research, product development and sourcing, business development, consultancy and training, Leanne exhibits day-to-day business acumen, project management skills and a determination for success. Returning to South Africa after 6 years of living abroad, Leanne has spent the last 9 years following her desire to make a significant impact on the lives of children in South Africa. Co-founding Learning in Reach in 2016, Leanne has been involved on the ground, managing the implementation of an asset based model of community development. Together with her emphasis on problem solving and taking action, Leanne shows great attention to detail. She believes that, in order for our country to succeed and for our own children to escape the fear of crime and violence that we live with on a daily basis, we have a responsibility to ensure that children in our neighbouring communities find safety, inspiration, education and a nurturing support system.
Classroom Assistant - Carla Martin
Carla has the passion, the patience and the love to work with children. She made sacrifices to go back to study Early Childhood Development in 2018 to equip herself to serve the children of her community.
While studying Carla opened her own preschool, Precious Steps, in January 2018. She wants to play a role in the protection of the community’s children. She believes that the foundation that is built at a young age will equip the children to make the right choices in life as they grow older.
In 2019 Carla embarked on her Montessori journey, furthering her studies at Montessori Centre South Africa. In February 2019, Carla joined Learning in Reach as a classroom assistant to cement her Montessori knowledge and contribute to building an ECD ecosystem that has a larger impact on Lavender Hill.
Carla is eager to make a lasting impact through early childhood education.
Acting Principal – Mikayle Booysen
Mikayle has been working as a Childhood Development Practitioner in Lavender Hill for more than six years. She enjoys being around children and making them feel safe and loved, putting their needs before her own.
Her goal is to further her studies and complete her B.Ed degree with a focus on children’s psychology.
Mikayle completed a Montessori course in 2018 and would love to facilitate change and make a difference in Lavender Hill for the next generation to thrive and live in peace.
Mikayle is the lead teacher for Children’s House of Lavender Hill which opened in March 2019. The school is changing the way parents and neighbouring preschools support children in this conflict-ridden community.