I am Richard, the Licensee of Queens Park Early Childhood Education Centre. Ever since I was a child, and throughout my life I always imagined myself to be working alongside children. I believe the experience and information received in a person's early years have the most decisive and permanent influence in shaping their character, so my mission as an educator at this crucial time of their life is to provide, in a professional manner, a nurturing, fun, safe and meaningful environment, as well as a range of exciting experiences to accomplish those aspirations for our children. I believe this is only achievable through love and gentle care, along with tireless effort, to empower themselves to lead their own learning journey. Our next generation will find themselves in an era where the world is brought closer by fast developing informational, logistical technologies, and encouraged by open door democracies. We are privileged to be the most culturally-diversified centre with children from various countries, and teachers embracing diverse cultural values. I will continue to support my team to provide the most loving, inspiring and selfless care to our children, and share the joy from the best reward one can ever hope for in the world - "Those bright cheeky smiling faces!"

Kia ora. I’m Susannah. I am the Head Teacher here at Queens Park Early Childhood Education, and I am also the primary caregiver in the Koru Room (infants and toddlers). I have a very long history with Queens Park ECE; I enrolled my youngest daughter here in 2005, although I didn't begin teaching here for a couple of years. I strongly value quality early childhood care and education. I am passionate about what I do- I can truly say “I LOVE my job”! I like to practice the RIE/Pickler philosophy of childcare- responding to the child’s cues in a calm and nurturing way and supporting tamariki in their growth and development in a caring, inclusive space. No matter what, children come first, and the family come a very close second. Respectful relationships with tamariki, whanau, colleagues, agencies and the winder community are integral to being a good teacher. I believe I foster respectful relationships in every part of my practice. "I discovered that success has very little to do with education or race or dispostion; it has more to do with principles and following those principles".

Kia ora! My name is Stacey and I have been teaching since 2015 and have taught in early childhood since 2016. I completed a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching (Primary Education) in 2014 and completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2020. I am the facilitator for the Transition-to-School programme here where I support children and their families with the transition from our early childhood centre to primary school. The children lead the learning and I am there to facilitate and support them as I believe that children are competent and capable beings who should have agency in their learning. Relationships are at the heart of my teaching practice, therefore, fostering caring, responsive and reciprocal relationships between myself, the children and their whānau is of high importance to me. I am very passionate about supporting tamariki in being ready for the next stage of their learning journey at school as well as Manaakitanga where I aim to support tamariki in developing kindness, aroha and empathy towards others. "In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Kia Ora! My name is Lee. I obtained my Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) in 2021, and have just started my journey towards obtaining a full teaching registration with the guidance of the teaching team at Queens Park ECE. Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga are core values of my personal teaching approach. I value a caring and creative environment that encourages respect and positive relationships between Kaiako, children, and their families. I believe that the support and encouragement supplied by Kaiako can shape tamariki into capable and confident learners that are able to grow to their full potential. I personally have passions for drawing and music, so I love to bring my enthusiasm for these topics wherever I go. I place great importance on the ability of tamariki to use their imagination and to be creative, allowing themselves to grow and develop essential life skills. Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu "Adorn the bird with feathers and it will fly"

Kia ora Koutou! Ko Melissa tōku ingoa. I am a mother of four and have been teaching since 2015. I believe in the importance of free play and letting tamariki lead their own learning. I absolutely love the wairua of our centre. Our management ensures that whanaungatanga is the core of our practice - everyone is welcome and included; this means that as a kaiako I am able to have my son here to play and learn alongside me. My teaching passions are te ao Māori, te taiao - the natural world, and eco-friendly practice. Kaitiakitanga is very important to me. I believe in nurturing a love of nature in our tamariki and teaching the importance of protecting and cherishing our natural world. Welcome to our centre. I look forward to meeting you! “Children are not the people of tomorrow, but people today. They are entitled to be taken seriously. They have a right to be treated by adults as equals.” ~ Janusz Korczak

As parents (and teachers) I believe the greatest thing we can do for our children is to be the best role models we can be. Everything we say and do becomes the core inspirations, values and motivations of the next generation. As a parent I was very involved with this centre while both of my children attended, and now, as a teacher aide I wish to continue sharing with the children my passion and experience as a musician and artist. I studied classical music for much of my youth, and back in the late 80’s I studied full-time for two years to attain my Certificate in Craft Design. Above and beyond “art” and “music” I have a sincere passion for scale modelling, science, astronomy and space exploration, science-fiction, cricket, chess, and of course, family, and children. I feel very privileged to be a part of this fantastic team, to be able to work with, teach and inspire the wonderful young people who pass through this centre. As a male (and father) I feel I can offer a varied perspective and "balance" to the nurturing culture of early childhood education. It is my personal goal, and my pledge to every parent, to help provide a safe, positive learning environment, where all children will have the opportunity to gather the broadest possible range of general knowledge, to develop their own skills, and to prepare each for their continuing life journey, with strength, confidence, and happiness.

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