Our story
The Bushbabies Playgroup was born from a parent’s own experience. In 1996, our founder felt that Dar es Salaam offered limited early-childhood options for her children. She set about creating the setting she wished had existed – a warm, stimulating, play-based environment grounded in the best of international early childhood practice. That commitment to excellence led her to the United Kingdom, where she completed her Certificate and Diploma in Early Years Education and later earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Dundee. Bushbabies represents thirty years of her work.
Our practice is shaped by these qualifications, professional experience, and a deep understanding of what families need. Bushbabies has grown into one of Dar es Salaam’s most respected early years settings, a place where generations of families have entrusted us with their children’s first and most formative learning experiences.
Our team
We believe that the quality of early education is shaped by the people who deliver it. That is why we are immensely proud of our team: experienced, qualified professionals who share a genuine passion for working with young children.
Our staff hold qualifications, including degrees in Early Years Education and internationally recognised Montessori diplomas. Many of our team members have been with Bushbabies for over sixteen years, a testament to the strength of our community and the deep commitment to our practice.
Every member of our team is committed to ongoing professional development, ensuring that our approach remains evidence-based and responsive to the latest developments in early childhood education.
A homely environment
Bushbabies is intentionally small. We believe that a smaller setting, with the right adult-to-child ratios (1:5 for the early years and 1:7 for Reception and Grade 1), fosters an environment where every child is supported.
Our setting feels like a second home – warm, welcoming, and designed with young children at its heart. Inside, you will find carefully organised learning areas stocked with high-quality, open-ended resources that children can access independently or through guided activities. We carefully consider and invest significantly in our resources and environments, regularly refreshing and reimagining them to keep them engaging.
Outside, our garden and outdoor spaces offer endless opportunities for physical play, nature exploration, and the sensory-rich experiences. We make full use of Dar es Salaam’s wonderful climate, ensuring children spend generous amounts of time outdoors each day – planting, building, running, and discovering the natural world around them.
Our ethos
Everything we do at Bushbabies is guided by a simple set of beliefs: that every child is unique and capable; that learning should be joyful and play-based; and that a warm, respectful community is the foundation on which great education is built. Our practice helps children build the confidence, curiosity, and love of learning that will sustain them throughout life.