Our People

What do you love most about what you do?

I am passionate about working collaboratively alongside children, their families, teachers and the community, and building trusting and respectful relationships.

What is your personal ECE philosophy?

I believe in providing a fun, rich, play environment which empowers children to be confident and competent learners. This is achieved through a balance of intentional teaching and free choice learning experiences that are flexible and responsive to children's individual interests and learning styles.

What else do you find rewarding in your role as centre manager?

As a leader I am dedicated to empowering teachers to grow professionally, encouraging them to realise their own potential as well as build new strengths and embrace challenges.

Where can we find you when you are not at work?

When I am not at preschool, my husband Johno and our two beautiful school aged girls Ella and Lily keep me busy with a variety of interests such as motorbike riding, water sports, horse riding and hunting.

In particular what I love about Lollipops Patten Street is our multicultural staff, whānau and tamariki. I love learning about different people!  In my time away from work I enjoy cooking different delicacies for my husband and myself,  but my favourite is still Indian spicy food! Other than that something that really makes me feel good is sitting on the beach side and having a pizza.