Health & Safety
The leading team at Play Learn Grow Early Childcare understand that health and
safety is the biggest priority for families.
Our Philosophy
We believe that people are the heart of the matter. We value playfulness, happiness, resilience, connections and experiencing success as learners.
Parent Info
If you are a new parent, have a question about early childhood or need any extra information, forms and documents for Play Learn Grow here’s everything you need.
The Team
Our staff are passionate professionals dedicated to helping children flourish. We pride
ourselves on teaching mathematics, literacy, art, music and dance, language, science and
active play through creative thinking and exploration.
Roslyn Jephson
Centre Manager
Hello, my name is Roslyn,
I was born in Fiji and have been here for many years. I am married with two children. I have been working in early childhood since 2004 and am a qualified registered teacher. Since 2008, I have been in leadership. I have had the opportunity to be a head teacher, centre supervisor, centre manager, centre director and centre owner.
I believe in working with team in providing the community with a quality inclusive learning environment for our tamariki. I believe children learn best in an environment that provides a holistic approach to learning, allowing them to become confident, competent and capable learners. Forming a strong relationship with families is important to me as an educator. I believe in open honest communication with parents and whanau.
Shannon McColl
Head Teacher
Toddlers (2-4 years)
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Ruapekapeka rāua ko Panguru Papata ōku Maunga
Ko Ngaruawahine rāua ko Whakarapa ōku Awa Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua tōku Waka
Ko Akerama rāua ko Waipuna ōku Marae
Ko Te Rarawa tōku Iwi
Tēnā koutou e te Whānau
Ko Shannon tōku ingoa. My name is Shannon and I’m very lucky to be a part of the amazing teaching team here at Play, Learn and Grow. Ever since I was really young, I have had a passion for helping our tamariki learn and grow and help them become confident and strong in knowing who they are and where they are going. I also have a very strong passion for Te Ao Maori which I will be teaching the tamariki through different ways. I am a Mama of two Beautiful tamariki! In my spare time I love hanging out with my babies, whānau and friends, going camping, swimming at the beach, creeks and rivers and being amongst nature.
Please feel free to come and introduce yourself! I cannot wait to meet you all!
Ngā mihi aroha
Ashley Clair Gullap Jerry
Operations Manager and Head Teacher Babies
Kia ora, My name is Ashley Clair Gullap Jerry,
I have just received my Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Edcuation (ECE) through the University of Auckland. I also have an Associate Degree in the same field of study from a University in Los Angeles, California, where I worked as a preschool teachers. Venturing out to combine my two joys (working with children and travelling), I settled in Auckland, New Zealand. I worked as an Au Pair, then decided to further my studies of ECE here in New Zealand. I am excited ot share my knowledge and skills while learning and growing from not only the kaiako (teachers) here at Play Learn Grow, but also the children, their parents and whanau.
Fou Siitia
Sharon Benjamin
Head Teacher Preschool
Hi, my name is Sharon.
I am from India but now I’m fortunate to be a New Zealand Citizen. I am married and have two daughters. I have completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education here in New Zealand, and a Bachelor of Education degree and Master’s from India. I have 10 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education, and more than 25 years in Primary and Secondary.
I believe that children are active learners that are capable and resourceful, and I personally value the uniqueness and potential of each child. All children learn differently in different contexts therefore I need to apply a varying teaching strategy to accommodate these needs.
Furthermore, I not only believe in enhancing each child’s strengths, competence and self-esteem, but also in the development of the child’s personality, talents, mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential in a stimulating environment like Play Learn Grow.
I will do my best in supporting and empowering the families and communities of Play Learn Grow through respectful, reciprocal relationships and working in collaboration with parents/whanau.
Kayla Brown
Teacher in training
I am currently a second-year student, studying a Bachelor of Teaching, Early Childhood Education. When I am not studying, I work as a student-teacher at Play Learn Grow.
I am a proud mum of a 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl who are also members of our Play Learn Grow Community.
I am passionate about incorporating Kaupapa Maori and Te Reo in all aspects of my teachings and I hope to establish strong relationships with tamariki and whanau.
Ngā mihi nui ki a kotou katoa.
Haimanot Mayahele
Early Childhood Cook
Hi my name is Haimanot and I am happy to be joining Play Learn Grow as the centre cook.
I have worked as a teacher for over 5 years, and I am happy to combine my two passions – cooking and children.
I moved from Ethiopia with my husband many years ago, and we have raised our 4 children locally in Kelston.
I am first aid qualified and food safety trained. I look forward to providing delicious, nutritious food for your children here at Play Learn Grow. We can cater to any specific requirements your child may have – Halal, vegetarian or allergies etc.
Brooke Watt
Hi, I’m Brooke Watt and I am the receptionist at Play Learn Grow, but am also at teachers training college. It brings me joy welcoming everyone into our centre and being the first point of contact at the start of each day! I love interacting with people, especially our young tamariki. I enjoy being active and playing sports. I have been playing netball from a very young age and was lucky enough to have played in the Auckland Skycity Mystics team in 2017. I’ve since then had a break from playing sport having given birth to my first child in September 2018. In my spare time I love hanging out with my family and going to the beach. Being around our tamariki and watching them learn and grow is the most rewarding job and everyone here is one big Whanau.
Pam Carlson
Kia ora. My name is Pam and I was born and raised in West Auckland. I have worked in the ECE sector for many years and am a reliever for more flexibility of my time and it gives me an opportunity to share and further my knowledge at each unique centre. Being a mother of 3 boys (two married and one Granddaughter now) while working and studying I have developed great time management skills and a sense of humour.
I view children as unique individuals who are competent learners, capable of developing understanding, knowledge and skills at their own pace. My desire is to empower and challenge children to believe in their own thinking and assist them on their educational journey.
I am a regular reliever at Play Learn and Grow and from the first time here I was treated as one of the whanau and included as one of the team of wonderful teachers. It has a safe family atmosphere where each child is treated as an unique individual. Tamariki are respected and empowered to develop their own strengths and capabilities at their own pace. Bi culturual and multicultural values are respected and practiced everyday. There is open communication between whanau and teachers which provides a safe and empowering environment for all. A great place to be.
What parents say about our team
Our Story
The owners of Play Learn Grow came together with a vision to create a unique environment for children and their whanau.
With families of our own and a strong affiliation with West Auckland, our goal was to build a space where people are the heart of the matter.
Our purpose-built, open-plan facility has a truly remarkable design, featuring an abundance of natural light and a peaceful layout that blends with the environment.
Clever use of space and superior sound-proofing creates flow and separation between the designated learning areas, pockets for playtime and restful spaces for quiet time. Play Learn Grow takes a holistic view when it comes to helping children flourish – and of course, we make it fun!
Here at Play Learn Grow, our learning environment is flexible and gives ample
opportunities for children to develop social behaviours that benefit the individual and
the group as a whole community. Respect is an important part of our approach. We value the importance of relationships and build on respectful interaction between
children, educators and family/whanau.
Our children have the opportunity to explore and engage in a variety of learning
experiences in a child led environment. We encourage children to think, to wonder
and to embrace their thoughts and theories, as the basis of constructing new
meaning. At the heart of our practice we believe in capturing children’s extraordinary
encounters with everyday ordinary things.
We endeavor to provide a child-centered developmental programme. Each child will
be guided to develop at an individual pace according to his or her unique, individual
way. Play is central to children's development, we do this by providing opportunities
for both structured and spontaneous activities. Play is a child's unique way to learn
about their world. Indoor and outdoor experiences are an integral part of our
programme and routine.
We provide a practice that reflects and celebrates the multicultural heritage of our
community. We believe that early childhood education should facilitate the
development of confidence, independence, and passion for learning.
Parents/whānau feedback is integral to us. Our goal is to build a reciprocal
relationship with our parents/whānau and communicate with them about their
child/children to get to know the children well which we believe will helps us
understand and support their learning and development. We see that parent/teacher
communication is a vital element in providing a holistic learning environment for
children.
