Kia Ora

I’m a registered Early Childhood Teacher, Wife and Mum to two daughters.  I am passionate about Early Childhood Education and firmly believe that we are building a greater future when we invest in our children.

I have lived in Cromwell since 2003 after moving down from the Kapiti Coast.  I graduated with distinction from The New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education in 2014 whilst working at Arrowtown Montessori for 8 years, moving from Teacher, to Head Teacher and then Centre Manager.

I feel the energy and positive efforts I put into teaching help to create a happy and safe classroom environment, where there is a love of learning.  I enjoy working with the team, planning opportunities and setting attainable expectations for tamariki, encouraging them to do their best and to explore new and interesting possibilities.  It is my belief as a teacher that the learning program should embrace each child’s unique dispositions and interests.  Teaching opportunities open up through observing and listening, so as a teacher I recognise it is important to remain adaptable and open.

I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this valuable time within children’s lives.  I recognise, as does the latest brain research, that the early childhood years are some of the most crucial in our development.  I look forward to meeting you, your children and your families, and welcome your ideas on what you would like to see included within our programme.

Hi I’m Robyn.

I became involved in Educare as a committee member when my children attended and then moved into the administrator position.

I enjoy building the relationships with the children and their families and being able to support the teaching team by helping out with the outings and transition to school.  It is very rewarding watching the children grow up and gain confidence and independence before moving onto their next stage in life.

Kia Ora I’m Nic McNamara.  I am a graduate of Christchurch College of Education and have a Diploma of Teaching & Learning in Early Childhood Education (2004).

I am the proud mum of Kobe and Lane and I am privileged to have Lane here as part of the Molyneux Educare family.  I enjoy working alongside children learning and discovering as we go.  I love my job here at Educare and am passionate about providing children with exciting learning opportunities to build them up for their future to be confident, unique individuals who believe highly in themselves and their abilities.  One of my favourite parts of the program is the introduction of The Educare’s Explorers Club – I thoroughly enjoy the conversations and discoveries that go on in the wider community.  It’s awesome to see the children gain confidence and skills with different people, places and the new environments as we explore.

Hi, my name is Chanelle Hancox. I am an Early Childhood trained Teacher, I have 5 year’s experience in a centre in an under 2’s environment, then had my first son which lead me to Home Based Care for 4 years through Porse, I worked alongside my son and children aged 3 months to 5 years before having my second son.

I believe in providing a happy, safe and fun environment where children can extend their learning and ideas at their own pace. I value meaningful partnerships with parents and families to provide quality education and care.

I am excited about being a part of Molyneux Educare.

Hi from Grace

I grew up in a small place called Moa Creek, where I was bought up on a farm and learnt to give
things a go and get my hands dirty. After primary school I went to the big smoke of Dunedin, which
created many new challenges, learning to live away from home and adjusting to town life. During
my secondary school years at Columba College, I started to recognize my passion for Early
Childhood and continued on to Otago Polytechnic where I completed a certificate in Early
Childhood.
I love working and engaging with children, watching them grow and enjoy the rewards that you get
when you gain their trust and acceptance.
I am super excited to be here at Molyneux Educare and can’t wait to meet you all and get to know you and your children.

Kia Ora,

My name is Brooke and I have lived in Cromwell for the last year. I grew up in Timaru, my mother studied to become an early childhood teacher through my primary school years. During the school holidays I would spend time with her at the centers she worked in, this is where I found my passion for teaching. I babysat 3 wonderful girls for about 5 years during high school, watching grow and develop was amazing.

After High School I did not know what I wanted to do study wise, so hospitality was the path I took. I moved to Queenstown in 2018 to study Hospitality Management. I knew that early childhood was still something I wanted to do. After graduating from my hospitality course, I decided that early childhood was where I wanted to be. Following in my mum’s footsteps I am going to study with New Zealand Tertiary College and become an early childhood teacher.

In my spare time I am usually with my partner at a rally during the winter, I enjoy watching and supporting him through his rallying career.

Kia Ora,

My name is Leesa and I am returning to teaching after having my children Arlo and Willa. I am teaching 3 days a week in the Whetu room.

My husband Tim, a viticulturist, and I moved to Cromwell 5 years ago from North Canterbury and more recently, we have all moved to Queensberry on a couple of hectares so my parents can live with us too (not in the same house though!).

I have a real passion for early childhood and have over 10 years experience working with young children. Along with my BTchLn (ECE) I have a post graduate diploma in Montessori Education. These qualifications along with raising Arlo and Willa, have shaped my teaching practice so I’m teaching from the heart and wanting to meet children’s emotional and physical needs first. When these needs are met, they feel safe to explore their world and thrive.

I am looking forward to meeting you and your child/ren and joining the extended Molyneux Educare whanau.

Leesa

Kia Ora,

My name is Mandy Pollard.  I have just completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education through New Zealand Tertiary Collage.  My Partner Hayden and I moved to Cromwell from Christchurch with our two cats Nyloa, and Mo two years ago.  We have a daughter Emelia.

I believe that every child is unique, incredible, wonderful and a special human being who deserves to receive a professional and quality education.

I believe that parents/whanau are a child’s first teacher.  Early Childhood teachers play a role to support the parents/whanau to ensure that the child grows up to be a confident and competent individual. I welcome and value your input and feedback and encourage you to read and add information to your Child’s profile book, such as adding comments, stories and photographs.

Hi

My name is Carla McPhee and I am really excited to return to ECE and Molyneux Educare. I first taught here in 2011-2014 before moving to another teaching position. Since then, my husband and I welcomed our two daughters Darcie and Millie.

In our spare time we keep pretty busy with motorbikes, rugby and in the summer a lot of camping, boating, and lake adventures. I’m really looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of the Educare children and families and be a part of an awesome teaching team.

I’m Sharron Walker, married to Neven, and together be have two beautiful children, Corry who currently lives in Dunedin and Haylea who works at Kiwibank in Cromwell.  We moved to Cromwell from Dunedin 9 years ago for the lifestyle and enjoy anything outdoors, camping, hunting & fishing.

I have a background in Play Centre and enjoy my role within the Educare family and love spending time and getting to know the children, teachers and their families.

One way I like to sum up my days is “frantically fabulous.”

Kia ora My name is Kathleen Wilde. I moved to Cromwell from Wellington with my husband and our teenage son to embrace the Central Otago lifestyle as we enjoy skiing and motor biking as a family.

My background has been in Playcentre Association as a session supervisor to support families that enjoy the Playcentre learning environments.  I have completed the Open Polytech certification as a Teacher Aide and worked in numerous primary schools in Upper Hutt.  Last year I started training for SPACE, where I was part of a team supporting new parents and their first child.

I am excited with my new role with the Educare family where I am enjoying spending time and getting to know the children, teachers and their families.

Kia Ora my name is Holly and I will be relieving a few days a week here in the Atawhai room. I have recently moved here from Nelson. I have two daughters Eva and Lily. In my spare time I love taking walks along the lake with Patrick, the girls and our big fluffy chow chow dog Toby. I also enjoy drawing, reading and cooking. Please come say hello, I look forward to meeting you and your tamariki.

Kia ora.  Ko Helen Wekking ahau.

Originally a secondary school teacher, teaching Geography and English, I so enjoyed my three children’s preschool years that I retrained and gained my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.  I worked for many years at one centre in Dunedin, and last year my husband and I decided to move back to Central Otago; we had previously lived in Omarama for many years while my children were at preschool and primary school.  We love living in Cromwell, enjoying the weather and you may often see me out walking with my little dog, Lily.

Young preschool children never cease to amaze me with their searching questions as they seek to make sense of their world.  I value and respect children as unique individuals, empowering them to believe in their abilities, and in nurturing and encouraging self esteem and independence.