Balancing work and life is already tricky. It gets even harder when you’ve got a little one in the mix. Between the crying, tantrums, and making sure they’re learning and growing, it can be a lot to handle. 

I’ve seen some of my friends struggle, and when they did, I wanted to help. 

So, I helped them dig into parent reviews, checked the track records, and pulled together honest insights to help you find the best fit for you and your kid. Keep reading to see what we found!

1. Young World Child Care Centre

There’s a good balance between structure and freedom at Young World Child Care Centre. Here, kids are seen as capable little humans who learn best when they’re allowed to explore and follow their interests.

We also liked that there’s a real commitment to bicultural values. Te reo Māori is part of daily life here.

Parents we spoke with noticed how respectfully the centre works with different cultural needs. They even made space for things like extra speech support when families asked for it. 

The space is purpose-built. We saw that it’s laid out with kids in mind. They have age-appropriate rooms, outdoor play areas, and even safe climbing bits.

They also have a very refreshing way of preparing their food. This place is vegetarian and offers vegan-friendly options. Meals are cooked using olive oil, ghee, and real fruit for sweetening, which we appreciate.

That said, a few parents pointed out that breakfast doesn’t switch up much. For some, that consistency is nice. For others, a little more variety wouldn’t hurt.

The teachers are nurturing and genuinely invested in children

“I am extremely pleased with the care and support my child receives at Young World Childcare Center. The teachers are nurturing and genuinely invested in helping children grow both mentally and physically. In a short span of time, my son has developed strong social skills and achieved his set milestones, which is truly impressive…”

Rabia Ahmed, Google review

We’ve seen significant improvement in our children’s confidence and sociability

“We’re very happy with our experience at Young World! Our children have been attending for over 7 months and have settled in amazingly well within a week, and they’re always excited to go to the centre. As initially quiet children, we’ve seen significant improvement in their confidence and sociability. They love the daily experiences and activities provided by the teachers. I highly recommend Young World for its nurturing environment and engaging programs!”

Beverly Abargas, Google review

2. Merryland Childcare Centre

Merryland Childcare Centre splits its kids into three groups in three separate rooms: the Bambino Room, Piccolo Room, and Scuola Room. 

This means your kid isn’t trying to nap next to a kid doing somersaults. Everything is tailored so no one’s left bored or overwhelmed.

Kids also learn through doing stuff they actually enjoy. We liked how the staff here keep a close eye on what each child is into, then build little activities around that. 

When we talked to some parents, we heard a lot of good reviews about the staff. They were kind, caring, and warm. 

The staff keep in touch with parents regularly, sharing updates and being flexible with drop-offs and settling in.

We also liked the centre’s approach to diversity. They celebrate cultural events like Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Christmas. For us, this gives the children a chance to learn about the world beyond their home.

That said, they charge a little higher than some of the centres we’ve looked into. It’s best to reconsider your options if you have a limited budget.

My boy enjoyed the activities and made new friends

“I am very happy with Merryland Childcare. My boy had a good experience there. He enjoyed the activities and made new friends. The teachers are very kind and helpful. They made him feel welcome and comfortable. The study environment was stimulating and fun. The childcare was also clean and safe. I would recommend Merryland Childcare to anyone looking for a quality childcare service.”

Keetong Sia, Google review

They create a nurturing and stimulating environment for my daughter

“We have had an incredible experience with Merryland. The staff is not only professional and experienced, but also warm, caring, and attentive to the needs of each child. They create a nurturing and stimulating environment that has helped my daughter thrive both academically and socially…”

Meisam Amiri, Google review

3. Royal Oak Childcare Centre (ROCC)

ROCC’s outdoor play area is big and natural. They let kids get messy, which we think can help with their creativity and imagination. 

Inside, the space feels homey. We appreciate that there are children’s photos and artwork on the walls. This really helps kids feel like they belong.

It also stood out to us that they focus on kindness and emotional growth. We think this kind of environment helps children feel safe, understood, and better at making friends.

We also noticed that their team is composed of 8 qualified staff from diverse backgrounds. Most of them have been there for years. We thought that when staff stick around for that long, they can really connect with the children. 

Their “primary caregiver” system can also back this up. Each child has one main adult who gets to know them really well. 

The centre offers a mix of half-day, short-day, and full-day programs, which can be helpful for working families. Parents have praised how accommodating the management is when it comes to adjusting hours, even at short notice.

That said, they’re a bit pricey. We still think it’s worth it, though, considering everything we’ve known about them.

They’re helping my daughter build her confidence and support her independence

“We’ve been at ROCC for over a year now, and we absolutely love it. It’s such a loving, friendly and nurturing environment with the best teachers. All the staff are super lovely and I feel that my child is in great hands. From transition week, I’ve had individualised feedback from the teachers and I love that they’re helping my daughter build her confidence and support her independence.”

Lucy, Google review

I love that the kids are encouraged to be active

“Our son and daughter both love the staff and children at ROCC. The team create a fun, nurturing, safe environment for the kids to learn and explore. Love that the kids are encouraged to be active, use their imaginations and get messy. The staff and management team are extremely open, flexible and supportive. We often need to change days or increase or decrease due to our schedules, and the team are always so accommodating.”

Casey McLain, Google review

4. Greenlane Childcare Centre

Greenlane Childcare is a boutique centre, licensed for just 48 kids. Right away, you know you’re not dealing with a big, chaotic setup.

Smaller numbers usually mean more attention per child, and that came through with the conversation we had with some parents. Some of them mentioned how well the staff get to know their child.

The staff base their activities on the kids’ interests. If your child is suddenly obsessed with dinosaurs, chances are they’ll work into that weekly theme.

One of the best parts about them is their outdoor time. Regular walks to Cornwall Park are part of their routine. They’re out exploring nature and learning independence, and we love that. 

We also noticed that they mix age groups. They follow a “Kotahitanga” philosophy (togetherness), so you might find some big siblings teaching little ones, and vice versa. We think this builds empathy and learn patience.

While it’s great for social development, some kids might need more of a challenge as they get closer to school age. It’s probably about preferences for parents, so it’s worth noting.

Have a variety of daily activities to keep the little ones interested

“​​Greenlane Childcare Centre has been amazing for our daughter. The whole team are fantastic, they constantly have variety in the daily activities to keep the little ones interested. The communication prior to going and the day-to-day communication is awesome. Our daughter absolutely loves going. Highly recommend!”

Renee and Ben, Google review

All of the staff are incredibly helpful and always go the extra mile

“Greenlane Childcare Centre have been amazing for our child. All of the staff are incredibly helpful and always go the extra mile. We are grateful that our child is able to develop in such a supportive environment.”

Steven Mutch, Google review

5. Bambinos Early Childhood Centre St Lukes

Bambinos Early Childhood Centre doesn’t feel like a typical centre. It feels more like someone’s home. It’s cosy, calm, and full of friendly people who seem to love what they do.

They focus on learning through play. They’d count worms in the garden and tell a fun story in the reading corner. For us, it’s relaxed but very intentional.

The multicultural vibe is also important. Te reo Māori is part of the daily routine, and the staff make space for other languages and cultures. 

Kids see their own culture, and it is celebrated. They learn about others along the way, too. 

One parent even told us their child came home singing a Māori song and later taught the family how to say “hello” in Samoan.

A few parents also mentioned Parents’ Night, where they get to learn the same strategies the staff use in the classroom. We loved it because it shows they care about keeping parents in the loop and extending the same care at home. 

That said, we’ve heard that there’s been some turnover lately that made it hard for kids to stay connected with the same staff. Not really a dealbreaker, but it’s something worth noting.

They created a warm and safe environment 

“We had a wonderful experience with Bambinos! Our baby attended for 7 months, and during that time, we felt truly supported and reassured as parents. The staff are incredibly caring, professional, and attentive—they created a warm and safe environment where our little one thrived.”

Shima Moghadam, Google review

Offers an excellent range of engaging activities and thoughtful care

“Our son Darby attended Bambinos Early Childhood Centre for four years. Bambinos offers an excellent range of engaging activities and thoughtful care. He was able to develop trusting relationships with both his teachers and the other children. It was always so reassuring to know that while at daycare, he was happy, engaged, and safe.”

Thalia Henry, Google review