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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.

What do you love most about what you do?

The thing I love most about working in ECE and as a centre manager is to support the teachers to make a difference in the lives of our tamariki and whanau. Knowing we are giving these tamariki the support needed to feel safe and secure and confident enough to take risks and develop a love of lifelong learning.

What’s your favourite time of year at the centre?

My favourite time of the year is summer. We can have an end of year gathering and spend time relaxing with the whanau and children. I love the water play with the children.

Where can we find you when you are not at the centre?

In my spare time I love working in my garden. Playing with my dog. I love the beach and spending time with family.

Bachelor of Teaching – Primary, Graduate Diploma in ECE

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Devika 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.