What makes us different
The owner and manager of The Grange knows what it takes to give your child a truly memorable experience filled with joy and discovery. Over the span of her impressive 21-year career, she has worked in a variety of both small and large centres, using her acquired knowledge and skills to develop her own set of unique programmes and routines, each catered to your child’s individual needs.
Here is what makes The Grange different from the rest:
We have a maximum of 8 children under the age of 2
In other childcare centres, most rooms for children under the age of 2 generally have 12 – 15 babies and toddlers. Unfortunately, these children are often left to their own devices, regardless of the number of teachers that are appointed to supervise these rooms. This gap in supervision is particularly worrisome, especially if the centre’s outdoor area is easily accessible.
A crowded room of young children also means that their sleep area will always being used, resulting in the disruption of your child’s routine (i.e.: your child will most likely be woken up whenever another child is put to bed or wakes from a nap).
The overcrowding of these rooms also poses a significant challenge for the centre’s teachers, who simply don’t have the time to learn about each child’s needs or interests. Primary caregiving is often implemented to solve this problem, but the results are far from perfect. What happens to your child before or after their primary caregiver’s shift has ended? What happens when their primary caregiver is away for the day or has left the centre for good? From experience, this solution causes more issues and has the potential to make the problem it’s supposed to solve even worse.
We don’t have a separate room for 2-year-olds
Having a separate room for 2-year-olds may sound great on paper, but in practice, fails spectacularly. At the age of two, children begin to observe how others around them behave and consequently try to mimic the perceived behaviour. This is an age of intense learning and exploration, so it is crucial for children to emulate the right actions. Rooms that consist only of 2-year-old children (or children who have just turned three) are the most chaotic, as these children are witnessing and then copying unfavourable behaviour such as biting, pulling, pushing, putting objects in their mouths, and throwing toys.
At The Grange, we believe that mixed age groups are the best for creating positive role models. When two-year-old children interact with 4-year-old children, they begin to demonstrate more mature behaviour, which results in positive outcomes for all our children.
The Grange’s qualified owner works with the children daily and is here because she cares
Very few childcare centre owners are Early Childhood qualified. Throughout her 19 years of experience, The Grange’s owner has seen first-hand how a lack of knowledge in the field can negatively impact both teachers and children. A qualified childcare manager makes all the difference, as they understand what is needed to make a centre thrive. Only a qualified childcare owner will understand the need to have a second safety gate, have an extra teacher for special circumstances, implement better teacher to child ratios, reduce the number of children per room, etc. Unqualified centre owners simply don’t know what it’s like to work as a teacher, and many of them are not on-site daily, which means that they cannot properly assess a centre’s real needs or apply a budget that will provide quality care for the attending children.
A backyard-style playground
Our outdoor space was designed by a landscape artist who has also been trained in Early Childhood, which means that our playground was designed with children’s need in mind.
Unlike many other centres, The Grange values a natural environment for children. You will notice that we have real grass and plenty of trees – just like your backyard at home. We even have our very own pig that we can feed!
A stable team that is here for all the right reasons
Due to an extreme shortage of trained teachers in Early Childhood, teachers often move from centre to centre, seeking better pay. As a result of this constant teacher turnover, both children and parents end up feeling unsettled and insecure, never quite knowing who their teacher is or how long they will stay at the centre. But at The Grange, we do things differently. The centre’s owner develops strong, lasting relationships with the teachers she works with, treating them as friends more than colleagues or subordinates. She places her teachers’ needs above her own, and in return, asks that they simply do the same for the children. Through this philosophy, she has created job satisfaction and a positive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, appreciated, and genuinely cared for.
Want to see details about
our unique programmes?
See what our happy
parents say about us
Very lucky to get my little toddler in here. The teachers are caring, parent/teacher communication is great, the space is open and well ventilated (super important these days), loads of activities and a fantastic mix of freedom and structure for the kids. I love that there’s a genuine conversation about his development. My little boy often wants to stay on when I pick him up!!
Rita Steel
The Grange in West Auckland is definitely a standout early childhood learning centre. My youngest child started at the centre this year and as soon as I walked in I got a nice homely, welcoming vibe! All the staff have been amazing in settling him in and I feel so confident he’s in the most capable hands while I’m at work. There are so many different learning opportunities to partake in and the children are stimulated both inside and out. Highly recommend!
Lauren Girven
My daughter has been at the Grange for 3 and a half years. Throughout that time, my husband was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. The Grange has helped my family, especially my daughter, with everything that she has been through. They are wonderfully supportive, and we couldn't have handled everything without them. They went above and beyond so many times, that I lost count. It's a great place to send your children, she's made a lot of friends, and the other families that you meet are wonderful. It's a little community.
Jennah Collins
The Grange truly is a special place for kids. I sent both my daughters there and can say hand on heart that the special care they show all the children and the safe space that they've created reassures you that your child is in the best possible care if it's not with you as the parent. I can't recommend it highly enough if you're looking for a home away from home for your child.
Amber Kingsley
This is one of the best daycares I have ever come across.
It's rare to see a daycare who truly believes in quality over quantity.
Every teacher was lovely to deal with.
I love the fact my nephew could feel like he had a home away from home.
My nephew suffered from anxiety separation, and within a short time, he loved going to daycare. His confidence grew and made wonderful friends.
This is a reflection of the wonderful team!
I also loved how the owner would email parents updates/changes during the pandemic times. The communication was fantastic.
I could write a novel of wonderful things this centre do!!
Highly recommended.Monique Crosbie
Fantastic place for your kids. The staff have so much energy and are amazing at what they do. Compassionate, empathetic & nurturing. Wonderful & safe environment for your kids to play & learn
N Varga
The Grange is an amazing centre. The teachers are incredible, they have an awesome variety of resources and play areas, and my kids absolutely love it there. Highly recommend!
Sarah Geard