Forty years of
first classrooms
I have spent my working life with children in their earliest years — in South Africa, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and today online from my home in South Africa, teaching pupils all across the world. What I believe is simple: prevention is better than intervention, and a child who finds learning fun will keep learning for life.
My passion is the initial developmental phase, ages two to eight: the early learning skills that all later learning is built on. I teach, I train the grown-ups around the child, and I write. Right now I am tutoring pupils online, and I have three books in print for the parents and teachers doing this work.
Teaching, leading and training in the foundation phase, from 1980 onwards.
South Africa, Qatar and the UAE — and online, internationally, since 2021.
Derby Nursery, founded in 2015: profitable in its first year, 80% of children surpassing their milestones.
What I have come to believe
Prevention over intervention
Most of what a child struggles with later can be met early, gently, and at play. That is why I train parents and teachers alongside the children.
Play is the real work
Inquiry, sensible play and critical thinking got my children reading, writing and handling advanced number work — because they were enjoying it.
Every child belongs
Children with special needs were part of every room I ran. Accommodating a child is the beginning; adding to what they can do is the point.
Three guides
Three plain-language books for the grown-ups around a young child: one on development that does not follow the usual path, one for the parent teaching at home, and one on the early ages and stages themselves.
Read about themI take pupils
I teach online from home, to children anywhere in the world: one-to-one lessons in the foundation phase, planned around the child in front of me, most days of the week. Enquiries are welcome.
EnquireIn parents' words
Notes from the parents of children I teach. Read them all, or add your own.
It’s been more than 3 years since we met Ansofie Ma’am, and honestly, she has become more like family to us than just my son’s English teacher. I have never seen a teacher who is so calm, patient and understanding with children. His confidence in English has grown so much because of her encouragement and guidance.
All three of my children were lucky to have her as their teacher during their early years of school. When my youngest was diagnosed with multiple learning difficulties, I knew he needed her help. Little by little, I could see how she completely changed his attitude towards learning. He started to believe in himself.
Our son has been learning with Miss Reeders for the past six months, focusing on English, maths, and grammar. We have noticed a great improvement in his confidence and understanding. She is patient, friendly, and explains everything in a simple way that is easy for him to understand.
She is a creative teacher, skilled with the ability to improvise and keep children engaged and motivated. Never a boring moment. She is known for her observational skills and ability to offer a tailor-made programme for individual children. Her love for children is extraordinary.