Kindercare Learning Centres (Albany)

Kia ora fellow Oneroa Kahui Ako friends and colleagues,

After many years of collaboration and design it is wonderful to now be part of the Oneroa Kahui Ako.  Over the years we have seen a huge amount of growth and development in our local communities and it gives me great pleasure to be a contributing member of a community that focuses on helping children reach their full potential and build stronger networks across the education sector.

By being part of the Kahui Ako I am hoping to:

1. Develop a stronger community of learners, becoming more aware of our communities values and aspirations for their tamariki.

2. Supporting and growing stronger pathways and transitions into School/ Kura

3. Contribute to the well being of our community, the families, children and kaiako within it. 

I have been teaching in the ECE sector for the past 29 years and have been the founding Centre manager of Kindercare Oteha Valley Road since 2000.  We have witnessed our community change from being rural farm and grazing lands to becoming part of the Auckland mega city.  We are fortunate to have Lucas Creek run behind our Centre with its surrounding urban bush and the life and wairua is taonga to our curriculum. 

In my practice I am passionate about the creative arts and I hold degrees in both Art Education and Art Therapy. I am also dedicated to the well-being of kaiako, tamariki and whānau, creating warmth, compassion, peace and kindness.  

Outside of my work:  I am a mother of 2, a wife to a very creative husband and I am a painter. I enjoy yoga, walks on the beach with my dog , creating art in my studio, dancing in the kitchen and pottering in my garden at home.