Choosing the right out-of-school care programme to entrust your tamariki/tamaiti/fanau with is essential. At GECH, we have over twenty-five years of experience. During this time, we’ve built a reputation as a trusted resource for parents in Glen Eden. We are also valued in the wider West Auckland area. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Read about the experiences of current parents of GECH’s Out of School Care.
“We moved to this area 14 months ago, we are immigrants and this was our first time moving to a new location within New Zealand. Relocating to a new community meant starting fresh without an established local support network and not have family nearby. This presented a significant challenge, especially regarding flexible and reliable childcare. We quickly found a lifeline in the Glen Eden Community House. My two children have been attending their after-school and holiday programs ever since.
Essential Support for Working Families
As working parents, our jobs sometimes require us to adjust our schedule. The flexibility offered by the team has been invaluable. We have varied our children’s childcare days and times as our needs have changed, and this has never been an issue.
More critically, on unexpected school disruption days – like teacher-only days or strikes – the Glen Eden Community House has been our rock. Without family support in the area, these disruptions could make holding down a job almost impossible. Knowing our children are picked up from school and cared for by a consistent, high-quality team is not just a convenience; it’s an essential support system that allows us to manage our professional lives successfully.
Impact on Our Children
The benefits for our kids have been remarkable and go far beyond just childcare:
- Skill Development: We’ve seen amazing improvements in their abilities. Their reading has improved, and their general behavior is much better.
- Social Well-being: Because our local network isn’t large, the chance to regularly play and work with a wider group of children outside of school is crucial for their well-being. They have learned invaluable lessons about working with others.
- A Sense of Community: Attending both after-school and holiday programs, and interacting with the wonderful leaders, has given my children a genuine sense of community. They frequently recognize and greet the leaders around the neighborhood, solidifying their connection to this place.
A True Community Asset
The entire team is simply amazing. They’ve helped us navigate a few local things, graciously accepted last-minute requests, and are understanding about the occasional late pick-up due to traffic.
Having such an exceptional resource so close by has been key to helping me and my family feel truly part of the local community. I recommend the Glen Eden Community House after-school and holiday programs to every mum and dad I meet in the area. We genuinely could not manage this life without their outstanding and flexible support.”
“In our household, we really value the Glen Eden Community House’s before and after school care and school holiday programs. Our children attend several days a week and also do the school holiday programs.
The staff are friendly, trustworthy, responsible and knowledgeable. They make it easy to change bookings and to add in extra care time. It’s a big relief having a program close by that can drop the kids off to school and pick them up – it literally means that my wife and I can go to work!
The fees are very reasonable. During term time. Fiona and her team also go the extra mile and provide care on teacher-only days and during strikes. Again, this means that we can go to work which we really appreciate.”
