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Little Ashford
Meet our
Wonderful Team
Meet the wonderful team working behind the scenes to support, guide, and nurture the Little Ashford experience for every child, parent, and educator.
Natasha Luke
Head Principal and Leadership Mentor
With a decade of experience in Early Childhood Development, complemented by a background in Health Sciences, Therapy, and Academics, Natasha brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the field of early education. She believes that educating a child is a collective effort; it takes a village of dedicated individuals and well-structured systems working together to truly nurture young minds. Natasha’s passion lies in adding value to the lives of others by using her professional and educational experiences to support the growth of teachers and leaders in ECD. She is driven by the desire to help shape learning spaces where children are empowered to develop lifelong skills and receive the highest standard of care and education. She believe that continued learning, growth, and introspection are vital in education. Teachers and Principals must see themselves as lifelong learners, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the children in their care. Natasha is deeply committed to fostering this culture of growth and reflection, ensuring that we, as educators, remain curious, courageous, and intentional in our work. Through this, we not only strengthen our own practice but also build the kinds of environments where both children and adults can truly flourish.
Rozaan Strydom
Executive Head
With a rich background in psychology, child development, and play therapy and over 16 years of specialised experience working with children in both therapeutic and educational environments, Rozaan brings deep insight, empathy, and vision to her role as Executive Head at Little Ashford. She is especially passionate about the early years—where play, curiosity, and connection form the foundation for lifelong learning. Rozaan believes that responsive caregiving and strong attachments aren’t just important—they’re essential. Her approach is rooted in the belief that children thrive in environments where they are seen, heard, and supported to wonder boldly. At the heart of her work is a commitment to nurturing curious minds, enabling immersive play, and ensuring that every child feels a deep sense of belonging as they begin their learning journey.
Monique Nel
Programme Manager
With over 14 years of experience in Early Childhood Development and the Foundation Phase, Monique brings both warmth and a steady hand to her role at Little Ashford. She is especially passionate about honouring the voice of the child—making sure each child feels heard, respected, and truly at home. Her work centres on creating nurturing, inclusive spaces where children can confidently explore, connect, and grow. As Programme Manager, Monique focuses on bringing the daily rhythm of the preschool to life. From ensuring thoughtful routines and meaningful classroom experiences, to planning events, menus, and community connections—she works closely with teams to make sure every part of the day reflects care, quality, and a deep sense of belonging. For Monique, it’s the small, consistent moments that matter most—because when children feel seen and supported in their everyday world, they thrive.
Kathleen Mngadi
Enrolment Manager
With over eight years as part of the Little Ashford family, Kathleen is deeply passionate about early childhood development and committed to ensuring that every child receives the highest standard of care and education in their formative years. At Little Ashford, we believe in creating nurturing, stimulating environments that encourage curiosity, support growth, and promote overall well-being. As a mother herself, she understands just how important a smooth and supportive transition into school can be. That’s why she works closely with families to make this experience as welcoming and reassuring as possible. Kathleen believes that it’s a true privilege to play a role in laying the foundation for each child’s future success and happiness.
Alida Gerber
Quality Assurance Coordinator
With 13 years of experience in education, Alida brings a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to her role as Quality Assurance Coordinator at Little Ashford. Before stepping into this position, she spent years as a teacher at Little Ashford, gaining a deep understanding of what quality looks like in early learning environments. She is especially passionate about the early years, where play, curiosity, and connection lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Alida believes that quality is not just about compliance, but about cultivating spaces where children thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. In her role, Alida works closely with schools to uphold and continuously raise the standards across all our Little Ashford communities. A vital part of her work is to ensure that strong health and safety standards, nurturing care, and the delivery of a rich, high-quality curriculum are not only upheld but continually enhanced with care and intention. She supports schools by observing daily practices, offering detailed, constructive feedback, and collaborating with teams to drive meaningful growth. Through her dedication, she ensures that every child's experience is shaped by love, inclusion, and a deep commitment to excellence in early childhood education. Her approach is grounded in a strong commitment to consistency and ongoing development. She believes that when a school community thrives, it creates the foundation for children to feel safe, confident, and motivated to engage with and explore the world around them.
Tamsyn Wilson
Head Principal and Leadership Mentor
Tamsyn has a deep passion for Early Childhood Development and brings over 19 years of experience in managing preschools to her role. For the past 9 years, she has had the privilege of being a part of the Little Ashford family. She began her journey as the Principal of Little Ashford Rosebank and has since grown into her current role, where she focuses on supporting and mentoring school leadership teams. As a wife and mother of two sons, she has experienced firsthand the importance of early education, and she is proud to say that her younger son spent six wonderful years here at Little Ashford. She truly believes in the power of early learning,: "The seeds of today’s learning become the roots of tomorrow’s success." Tamsyn is excited to continue contributing to the nurturing and development of your little ones and looks forward to the journey ahead.
Charlize Steyn
Financial Manager
Charlize Steyn, holds esteemed credentials as a Business Accountant in Practice (CIBA), a registered tax practitioner (SAIT), an ACCA member, and a SAGE Business Cloud Accounting Advisor. She is also the visionary founder of CRS Group since 2015, a premier cloud accounting and management consulting firm with offices in Centurion, Pretoria, and Langebaan (established in 2022). Her expertise and commitment have positioned her as a trusted leader in the financial industry. Since 2022, Charlize has served as the Financial Manager and Accountant for Little Ashford. In this role, she expertly oversees budgeting, financial planning, and compliance, ensuring the school's financial health aligns with its mission to nurture young minds. Charlize deeply values her partnership with Little Ashford, cherishing the opportunity to work with an organisation that shares her passion for excellence and community impact. She is continually inspired by the dedicated team at Little Ashford, whose collaborative spirit and commitment to fostering a nurturing, innovative environment for children make her role profoundly rewarding. Together, they ensure the school’s financial strategies support its vision of providing outstanding education and care.