The Toy Makers Cottage

A Country Cottage in the Heart of the City

“Your childhood takes you by the hand for the rest of your life.”

Opened in February 2017, The Toymaker’s Cottage in Grey Lynn is a city-fringe preschool inspired by the teachings of Maria Montessori and the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. Plus there’s some thinking that’s unique; a teaching philosophy that embraces nature, hand-made toys and storytelling. The cottage welcomes children aged 2 to 5 and has a maximum capacity of 35 children for full-day and part-day sessions.

There are three main learning and play environments at the Toymaker’s Cottage: 

• Upstairs children are offered semi-structured learning experiences. They are gently taught how to pay attention, complete tasks and collaborate with each other. There is a special room for storytelling and mat-time.  
• Downstairs is a less structured learning environment furnished with hand-made wooden, heirloom and nature-inspired toys. Loose-part play stimulates creativity and problem solving. 
• Outside there’s a beautiful garden where children can play in the adventure playground.  Nature inspires all kinds of educational experiences here.  

The Toy Maker’s Cottage is a vision brought to life by Aucklander Caron Michael, a pre-school education specialist with more than 30 years’ teaching experience.  

“Our team share a belief that a beautiful and peaceful environment is crucial to successful early learning. They understand the importance of finding a balance between the freedom of self-expression and the need for structure.”

Caron Michael