Orders and Payment
After selecting your products, click on the “Add to Basket” button, to add items to your shopping cart. Once you are ready to finalise your order, click on the cart icon, or look at the top of the page to find “My Cart”.
From there you can “Proceed to Checkout”, and add your shipping details, (if necessary).
How to Create a Quote – Step by Step
What is a Quote?
Use the Quote function to:
• Present your budget for the year, to the school board for approval
• Create a possible order
• Develop a “wish” list
You must be logged in to create a quote.
The easiest way to make sure you are logged in, is to see if your name is in the top menu bar, next to the Childrens House logo, and the greeting.
If you are not logged in, or are not sure if you have created an account, look for a ‘Login‘ or ‘Create Account‘ link where your name will be displayed if you had created the account.
Click “Login” to go to a page where you can log in or create an account, to Register.
Step 2: Adding items to your quote
A quote will be generated, by clicking the “Add to Quote” button, found underneath or next to the “Add to Basket” button on each product.
Once an item is added to your quote, a confirmation message will show up.
Your quote can be viewed, once an item is added, alternatively, you can select the ‘My Quote‘ link in the menu.
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Step 3: Removing and changing quantities
Once items have been added to your quote, you can edit the quantities, and / or, remove unwanted items.
Click the ‘My Quote‘ link, at the top of the page, to see a list of all items on your quote. Edit these individual items, by either changing the quantities, or removing the item in full. Once you are happy with your changes, click the “Updated Quote” button at the bottom of the list, to save your changes.
Step 4: Send your Quote to us
Once you are satisfied with the items in your quote, it’s time to send it off.
Under the items in your quote, you will find a form, which you update with your contact details, then click “Send Your Request” to send your quote to us.
Look for the text, “Login“, at the top of the page.
Normally, your browser will save your login details. If it does not find your username or email, then you will be prompted to register an account.
Follow the prompts to register your details, and create an account.
We stock a wide variety of products. Unfortunately, sometimes, a product is not in stock.
If you encounter this problem, please mention this when placing your order, in the “Order Notes” section, and we will create a back-order for you.
The notes section is found at the bottom of the “Checkout” page, headed the “Order Notes (optional)”.
Alternatively, you can contact Sharon, our sales person, at sharon@childrenshouse.co.za.
We offer several payment methods.
For Credit Card payments;
- use PayFast for South African Rands or
- use PayPal for USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, CHF, EUR & GBP.
If you prefer to pay by EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), please select this option at checkout. Our banking details will be provided to you.
On the “Checkout page”, the first field asks you to enter the coupon code. This will be reflected when the final amount to be paid, is calculated.
The common problems are:
- You selected PayPal, for South African Rand payments. Possibly your credit card is not acceptable by PayPal. We suggest you select PayFast instead.
- When you are directed to the payment page, and your card does not go through, perhaps the 2 factor authentication was not received. This will cause your order to be considered an abandoned order. If this is the case, we will be able to resend the payment link to you via email.
Shipping and Returns
Domestic Shipping Policy
Shipping rates & delivery estimates
Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout.
| Shipment method | Estimated delivery time | Shipment cost |
| Standard Courier | 1-3 business days | R79 for orders under R1000 – Western Cape R99 for orders under R1000 – KwaZulu-Natal R89 for orders under R1000 -Gauteng R109 for orders under R1000 – Rest of South Africa Free for orders over R1000 |
Order R1000 worth of items to qualify for free shipping to your door anywhere in South Africa.
Transit times depend on your location:
- Cape Metro – next day if your order is placed before 13h00
- Gauteng & Durban – 2 to 3 days
- Everywhere else – 2 to 4 days depending on your location
Feel free to email us should you require any further information.
We offer free delivery to the USA:
- USA – free for orders over $400 – 7 days to your door
- Canada – 7 day shipping is calculated at checkout – subject to additional GST & PST which is billed on arrival
- UK – 7 day shipping is calculated at checkout – subject to 20% VAT which is billed on arrival
- EU – 7 day shipping calculated at checkout – subject to EU VAT which is billed on arrival
- Australia – 9 days – may be subject to 10% GST which is billed on arrival
- NZ – 9 days – may be subject to 15% GST which is billed on arrival
Should you require further information about shipping charges, please feel free to contact us at info@childrenshouse.co.za
Shipment confirmation & Order tracking
A Shipment Confirmation email will be sent to you, once your order is shipped. This email contains your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.
Orders are dispatched when we receive your proof of payment.
Cape Town deliveries are made by City Sprint courier company.
The rest of South Africa are serviced by FedEx or The Courier Guy, depending upon the location of the order.
International deliveries are made by FedEx.
We retain the right to change courier companies if necessary.
- 1 to 3 working days for orders delivered to a South African city.
- 5 to 7 working days, for orders delivered to a rural South African town, dependent upon location.
- 7 working days for international orders, depending upon the location.
No, we cannot deliver to a PO Box.
However, for South African customers there are options:
- The Courier Guy has a service to deliver to a central collection point
- Postnet can be a possible solution.
We deliver to most countries in the world, contact Sharon, our sales person, at sharon@childrenshouse.co.za and ask her.
All courier companies provide a tracking system for your parcel. They have a responsibility to prove to us where all deliveries were made.
In the unlikely event that your delivery goes missing, we will contact you and organise to deliver a replacement product
You must notify us, within 7 days of receipt of delivery of your order, to claim all returns
Please read the terms and conditions on our “Childrens House – Policy page“
- The Returns – South Africa tab refers to all orders delivered in South Africa
- Warranty – International refers to procedures to be followed by overseas deliveries.
All orders are picked, packed and dispatched for collection by our couriers, normally within 24 hours of Childrens House receiving proof of payment.
If you want to cancel this order, it is essential that you contact us as soon as possible, to discuss your change of plans.
Please note, No Cash Refunds Are Given.
Please read the terms and conditions on our “Childrens House – Policy page“. The “Returns – South Africa” tab explains our the returns procedures for South African orders. International orders are discussed under the “Warranty – International” tab.
Yes, we request the courier company to deliver to a person who is responsible to receive your goods.
Support
General email – info@childrenshouse.co.za
Sales – sharon@childrenshouse.co.za
Telephone No – office hours – 021-709-0948
Our premises are not designed to accommodate the casual customer.
If you want to view our products, we will welcome you to our premises, but by appointment only.
It is important for you to contact Sharon on 083-590-6706 to make this appointment, as she is not based at our premises, and she will prepare materials for viewing.
Kindly contact Stephen at info@childrenshouse.co.za to discuss how you become a distributor.
The office is operational from Monday to Friday – 09H00 to 17H00. However, if you need to contact us after hours, we suggest that you go to our website, www.childrenshouse.co.za we have a “ChatBot” where you can leave a message and we will attempt to assist you after hours, up to 21H00.
We are based at Capricorn Business Park, near Muizenberg in Cape Town, South Africa.
Please read the terms and conditions on our “Childrens House – Policy page“
The “Shipping Policy” tab details the process to follow for both Domestic (South African orders) and International orders.
Customs, Duties and Taxes
Childrens House is not responsible for any customs and taxes applied to your order. All fees imposed during or after shipping are the responsibility of the customer (tariffs, taxes, etc.).
International Shipping Policy
We ship internationally to most destinations around the world. We use the services of reputable courier companies such as Fedex, UPS and DHL. Shipping is calculated at checkout, and is calculated by weight to determine the courier charge.
Should your order meet the minimum criteria for “free shipping”, Childrens House will not charge you courier fee. However, the term “free shipping” only constitutes delivery to door excluding customs duty, VAT, GST or State Tax as determined by your country. This amount is usually calculated once the goods arrive in your country, and then billed by the courier company to you directly. The courier company also charges a small administration fee to collect this money from you.
The terms of sale are DDU – Delivery Duty Unpaid according to Incoterms 2010 revision.
Please read the terms and conditions on our “Childrens House – Policy page“.
Our “Privacy Policy” is detailed on this page.
Please read the terms and conditions on our “Childrens House – Policy page“.
All our “Terms and Conditions” are detailed on this page.
Kindly contact our Office, on 021-709-0948, or by email, at info@childrenshouse.co.za for assistance.
General
Click our Subscribe icon at the bottom of the Childrens House home page, or click Subscribe, here.
You will be directed to a form for completion. Newsletters are distributed, weekly, in South Africa, and fortnightly to our International customers.
The newsletter features our newest, and most popular product that is currently trending, and a range of bargains under our bargain bonanza title, are on offer. Furthermore, we advertise teaching positions that are currently being advertised.
At the top of Childrens House home page, underneath the Search Bar, you will find the Montessori Jobs text.
Click Montessori Jobs to be taken to the current advertised jobs. Next to them, is a contact form for completion.
Insert your relevant information, click the block at the bottom of the page “Receive notification when your listing is published”, and click “Submit for Review” button. A message, “Your submission was successful” will appear under this button.
Click here – you will be taken to a page of our affiliates. Scroll down to the heading, “Montessori Training Centres”, and you will find some of the training centres found in South Africa, where you can train.
Montessori education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, presents a unique and innovative approach to early childhood education. Driven by the belief that children are natural, self-motivated learners, she envisioned an educational framework that thrives on cultivating independence, exploration, and hands-on learning.
At the core of the Montessori Method lies the principle that children achieve optimal learning outcomes when they actively engage in their own educational journey.
In Montessori classrooms, teachers assume the roles of guides and facilitators, diverging from the traditional lecture-based approach. Their training centers on carefully observing each child’s distinct needs and interests, enabling them to craft lessons tailored to the child’s sensory level and requirements. Every day, children encounter an array of activities within a meticulously arranged environment brimming with age-appropriate materials. These materials are meticulously designed to be self-correcting, empowering children to learn from their errors while acquiring profound comprehension through exploration and experimentation. In Montessori classrooms, children are granted the freedom to select activities within defined boundaries.
Montessori education also accentuates the paramount importance of respecting each child as an individual. This personalized approach aids in the development of self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and an enduring passion for learning.
To summarize, Montessori education champions a child-centric methodology that prioritizes independence, hands-on learning, and personalized instruction. This holistic teaching approach fosters not only academic advancement but also nurtures social, emotional, and cognitive development. Consequently, it remains a preferred choice for parents and educators seeking a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to early childhood education.
Are you interested in starting your own Montessori school? Click here, and you will be taken to our page, “How to Start a Montessori School“. We captured some important points to consider, plus services that we offer to help you set-up your very own school!
70% of Childrens House products, are designed, and manufactured by ourselves, in South Africa. Where we need to use a manufacturer outside of the country, we make sure that they are manufacturing to the highest sustainable methods possible. Click here to view our production methods and to be introduced to our wonder VXCard and VXMat materials.
70% of Childrens House products, are designed, and manufactured by ourselves, in South Africa. Where we need to use a manufacturer outside of the country, we make sure that they are manufacturing to the highest sustainable methods possible. Click here to view our production methods and to be introduced to our wonder VXCard and VXMat materials.
