Lilliput History
Lilliput English-speaking playgroup first welcomed children in 2009. Built round an ethos that children thrive in an atmosphere where each gets individual care and attention, we developed our programmes to combine play with learning within a happy and dynamic environment.
The Lilliput Language School was developed in 2011 to cater for children and teenagers, many of whom had already completed their stay with us in Lilliput playgroup and were keen to continue to learn English. Again, our core philosophy is to maintain the ethos of individual care and attention by providing small group classes that cater for different levels of English language proficiency.
Grainne Martin
Director Teacher
“What excites me most about teaching is seeing the joy and sparkle in a child’s eye when they ‘get it’! I want children to remember that learning can be fun and memorable and not always governed by routines and schedules”.
Grainne Martin is owner and principal teacher at Lilliput. She is a Certified English Language Teacher and Early Years Practitioner gaining her qualifications from Cambridge University and Open University (UK), respectively.
Grainne shines brightest when she is down on the floor talking with the children. She has an in-depth ability to understand each child and give each child the individual nurturing and care that is needed.
At Lilliput, Grainne leads a team of like-minded staff. She is responsible for the overall teaching curriculum for Lilliput, with emphasis on instilling a love of learning in the children and encouraging them to strive to the best of the abilities.
Prior to opening Lilliput, Grainne spent many years working the Aviation Industry in Basel. Leaving Aviation behind in 2004, Grainne went back to her first love – working with children and subsequently spend some years working at an English Language School in the Basel area.
Born in Ireland and coming from a seaside village north of Dublin, Grainne came to Basel with her husband many years ago, to experience a new life style, and never went home.
Outside of Lilliput, Grainne is a very reluctant cyclist, enjoys cooking or reading a decent book, has a preference for white chocolate and is enjoying a new phase of life now that her daughter is away from home undertaking University studies.
Parent's Comments
“During our seven months stay in Switzerland, my four year-old daughter had a great experience in her playgroup. Grainne’s warmth and involvement with the children made her feel welcome and connected quickly. The teaching style was fun and easy for kids to connect with. There were new themes regularly as well as creative art projects that kept the kids very interested and involved in the daily activities. I couldn’t have imagined a better place for my child.”
— Faith, Madison, USA
“My eldest daughter was, and now my son is, in Grainne’s care and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather them be with. Grainne’s interest in the children is individual, deep and enduring. She exudes warmth, happiness and a positivity that is entirely genuine, allowing a child’s individuality and creativity to flourish. Singing, painting, sticking, playing, listening, exploring… all are achieved with skill, a lightness of touch, and importantly, humour. And somehow she also manages to give plenty of time to parents at the beginning and end of playgroup – we are certainly not anonymous “customers” here…but partners and friends. As a qualified teacher I know what it takes; and I know we all strive for the best for our children. In Grainne and her playgroup, I know I’ve found it!”
— Marcus, Basel.
“And, Grainne has the unique ability to make every child feel special.”
— Sarah, Basel