Smartieland Kleuterskool / Nusery School

I absolutely loved this school from the moment I first explored it. The reviews were glowing, the facilities are top-notch, and the variety of extramural activities offered made it seem like a perfect fit for my daughter. I genuinely felt that everything about the school was just right, and I was excited for her to join.

However, less than a month into her time at the school, a concerning issue began to emerge. By the second week, my daughter confided in me that a friend was calling her a monkey. At first, I didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a playful comment among kids. But as time went on, the situation continued, and even my helper reported hearing the same from my daughter. It became clear that this was something that needed to be addressed.

While the school had so many great aspects, this situation made me feel uneasy. It’s important for any school to foster an environment of kindness and respect, and I hope that the school takes steps to ensure that all children feel safe and supported.


I absolutely loved this school from the moment I first explored it. The reviews were glowing, the facilities are not bad, and the variety of extramural activities offered made it seem like a perfect fit for my daughter. I genuinely felt that everything about the school was just right, and I was excited for her to join.

However, less than a month into her time at the school, a concerning issue began to emerge. By the second week, my daughter confided in me that a friend was calling her a monkey. At first, I didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a playful comment among kids. But as time went on, the situation continued, and even my helper reported hearing the same from my daughter. It became clear that this was something that needed to be addressed.

I reported this issue to the school, but I was shocked by the unprofessional manner in which they handled it. Instead of investigating the matter and providing reassurance, their response was overly defensive. They insisted that such behavior couldn't possibly be from one of their students, forgetting that children’s behavior, like calling others a monkey, is influenced by both the school and the family. It's an issue that both parties should address together.

Their approach in resolving the issue lacked skill and tact, shocked that these are teachers. I confirmed with the school transport lady after they claimed that my daughter was called a monkey in her school transport. The transport lady said she transports her alone to and from school because at that time she would be done with her other trips. In trying to address the matter they then pulled my daughter out of class recording a video which was sent to me as I was away for work. The school took a video of her and interrogated her with uncomfortable questions which are not suitbale for a 4 year old. According to them, that rubbish video exonerated them from being responsible to address the issue. As if that was not enough, the teacher then claimed that its because they teach them about animals hence my daughter said her friend at school calls her a monkey...what kind of teacher thinks like that.

You could see in the video that she was not at ease with the questions posed to her. One of the teachers even remarked that she couldn’t understand how this could happen because all the children in my daughter's class were black, which left me confused. I initially thought she meant there were separate classes for black and white children, but when I followed up the next day, asking for clarification on this splitting, I was accused of accusing them of racism. I only clarity of which they provided thenafter I was told that I am accusing them of racism.

Rather than working to resolve the issue, the school’s management became combative. They told me that if I didn’t like the situation, I could leave, and then they promptly removed me from the school WhatsApp groups. While I still had good relations with my daughter’s previous school, making it easy for her to transition, I was deeply disappointed by how this was handled.

I loved the school, but the management and teachers need professional development on how to handle sensitive issues like this. They may have tried to cover their tracks at the time, but I believe something similar could happen again, and they might find themselves in the news. As a professional myself I didn’t have the energy to pursue this further, so I let it go for the sake of peace and my current state of mind. However, I hope one day they reflect on this and take the necessary steps to improve their approach. One day we will see them in the news for a similar issue, bookmark this review.