Our People
Sonia Jordan, Centre Manager
What inspired you to pursue a career working with children?
Ever since I started my schooling at the age of five I knew I wanted to be a teacher. The new entrant teacher made me feel so welcome and safe and cared about. I wanted to help others feel the same. After finishing my degree in primary teaching in 2006 I realised that my path did not lie in the primary sector but instead went towards helping support children choose their own learning based on their own interests in the ECE sector. I completed my Graduate Diploma in ECE in 2007 at Massey in Palmerston North. I have been teaching in ECE since the beginning of 2008.
moreDevika Lal, Assistant Manager/Teina Room Head Teacher
Hi , I am Devika Lal, and I am the Head Teacher at Lollipops New Plymouth in the Teina Room (0-2 year olds). I am a registered Teacher with over 10 years experience in ECE. I am married to Davendra Lal and have two sons, Neil and Krish. During my everyday teaching journey, I do take into account Te Whariki, which suggests that children learn and develop in a holistic way, where the child’s needs are met and they are able to learn and develop as a whole. I believe this gives the child connection and links from home to the Centre and vice versa. I, together with my Team, always consider the needs, strengths and interests of individual children and allow them to have the freedom of choice and make decisions about resources, activities and environment.