Smart Start Montessori (Grange Rd) Pre-School

About Smart Start Montessori (Grange Rd) Pre-School
About Education & Care Service
Education & Care Services are mainstream early learning centres that offer full-day or part-day care with a structured curriculum, qualified teachers, and a focus on learning through play. They cater to families needing flexible childcare options and wanting a balanced approach that supports social, physical, and early academic development in a diverse environment.
What Is 20 Hours ECE funding?
20 Hours ECE is a government-funded initiative that helps reduce the cost of early childhood education for families with tamariki aged 3–5. Eligible children can receive up to 20 hours of funded care and education each week at participating services. Centres can set their own enrolment patterns and may ask for optional charges, but the funded hours themselves should be free of compulsory fees. If you are unsure how this works at Smart Start Montessori (Grange Rd) Pre-School, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.
Community Profile
Roll & age distribution
Smart Start Montessori (Grange Rd) Pre-School currently has a roll of 44 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 2–5 years age band.
Ethnicity profile
Asian tamariki are the largest group (63% of the roll), alongside european, māori, pacific children.
Roll and demographic figures are based on data supplied by the Ministry of Education and were last updated on 01/07/2024.
Parent Reviews
“We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Smart Start. The teachers are truly incredible, they make learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. What stands out most is how they take the time to really understand each child, not only in terms of their learning style but also their social relationships and emotional needs. There’s a wonderful balance between structured learning and outdoor play, and it’s clear that every part of the day is designed to nurture curiosity and growth. We’ve seen such a remarkable transformation in our daughter- physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. We are beyond proud of the confident, kind, and capable little girl she’s become, and we know that Smart Start has played a huge part in shaping this foundation during such a pivotal stage in her life. A very special mention to Jenny, Shayal, Anulani, and Anne — you’ve been instrumental in Kaira's academic and personal growth. Your encouragement, patience, and positivity have helped her believe in herself and embrace challenges with confidence. And a heartfelt shoutout to Rebecca, the wonderful director of the centre. She goes above and beyond to connect with every child and family. No question is ever too small, she’s always approachable, warm, and genuinely invested in every child’s journey. It’s been such an honour to be part of your Smart Start family, Rebecca. Thank you to the entire team for everything you’ve done. We miss you all so much, but we’ll be back very soon with our twins! 💛”
“I have two children and have experienced four different ECE centres. Smart Start Montessori is by far the best - I am so impressed! We’re so glad we made the move and enrolled our daughter Jianna here. She’s so happy, and we’re absoloutely thrilled with her progress! The teachers are incredibly kind and dedicated, and it’s clear they’re well looked after - many of them have been at the centre for years. I’m especially impressed by the one-on-one reading sessions, and how they incorporate English, maths, science, and other school-readiness skills into their teaching. They are also big on celebrating the different cultures within the centre, which is great! Enrolling Jianna at Smart Start Montessori has truly been one of the best decisions we’ve made!”
“My daughter had the best time with Smart Start. Teachers are amazing and took care of my daughter so nicely. The whole staff gave her extra attention due to her medical requirements. The perfect balance of academic and extra curriculum made it perfect for her to be ready for school.”
“An excellent Montessori Preschool. It’s a beautiful space, and the teachers are truly exceptional. They are very experienced, incredibly kind, and genuinely care for each child. They take the time to help children understand concepts, complete activities, and also support them in learning to read and write. There is also a nice balance of group activities and outdoor play. The manager, Rebecca, is fantastic—so friendly, approachable, and quick to respond. She really takes the time to get to know each child and their family, which makes the whole experience feel very personal. While it’s never easy to leave your child in someone else’s care, it’s been such a comfort knowing our daughter has been in the best hands possible. We’ve absolutely loved Smart Start Montessori Preschool and would highly recommend it.”
“My daughter loves Smart Start! The teacher put lots of effort into providing high quality teaching and learning environment. I can see the learning happening every day. She is now well prepared for school. I don't think I can find such a good teaching team anywhere else🥰. we will definitely send our second child to Smart Start and recommend it to our friends.”
Interested?
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