I live in Huntly with my husband Stephen and we have two adult children and a grandchild.

I feel so lucky to be part of a team of motivated and enthusiastic educators, working in such a beautiful and well-resourced environment. I believe the early years are some of the most important in a child's life.

At our centre, the learning programme is developed from our children's interests, spontaneous moments and planned projects. Our programme provides children with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experiences in an exciting and engaging environment.

Kia ora koutou. I am passionate about working with children and providing them with rich learning experiences to help them develop the skills and attitudes to be confident life-long learners.

I am half Filipino and European and have loved having a bi-cultural upbringing. We are a very family-orientated whānau and I grew up with strong morals and a respect for other cultures, religions and values. I enjoy embracing other cultures and have a willingness to learn from and alongside our preschool whānau and children.

The partnerships and shared aspirations of our children, parents, teachers and whānau are what make HECC the best place for early education.

As a wife and mother of two adult sons, I bring over 30 years of teaching experience both in New Zealand and overseas. I believe in making learning enjoyable and incorporate music, movement, storytelling, and imaginative play into everyday experiences. I also place great value on spending time in nature, working in our preschool garden, and nurturing a love for the environment.

At the heart of my teaching philosophy is building strong relationships and truly understanding each child. Creating a learning environment where children not only grow in knowledge and skills but also cultivate strong character, kindness, and a deep sense of value, respect, and belonging.

I am a mum of three boys, with the older two having attended HECC and my youngest still attending our amazing centre. I have a background in Primary School teaching and transitioned into early childhood in 2023. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of nurturing and growing young minds.

My children and I lead a very active lifestyle, enjoying sports and the outdoors, and I love bringing these aspects into my teaching and our centre. I believe that learning is a life long journey, with kaiako assisting our tamariki to explore and learn within our well resourced and unique environment.

The preschool years are so important and I feel privileged to be able support our tamariki and their whaanau in their preschool journey.

My passion for working with children started 35 years ago when I became a mum to three wonderful kids. Now, with 3.5 grandchildren, I love spending time with them and seeing the world through their eyes. After being a stay-at-home mum, I became a home-based educator, and later, when we moved to Te Kuiti, I transitioned into centre-based education. This journey led me to gain my Bachelor of Teaching ECE, becoming a fully qualified teacher.

I’m proud to be part of the HECC team and to have made Huntly my forever home. I love communicating with children and creating strong and trusting relationships with families. I believe in hands on learning and bringing in new engaging learning opportunities. I love the environment created here and working along- side supportive passionate teachers.

I believe that life is all about gaining knowledge and sharing what we have learnt with others. I feel that education is a life-long process.

I have worked here at HECC for over 21 years and have watched my own children (now adults) grow and learn within this environment. I enjoy helping and being a part of children's learning journeys - listening, caring and allowing them to learn through exploration and play.

Kia ora, ko Ashleigh tooku ingoa.I live in Raahui Pookeka with my husband and three daughters, with one of my tamariki having previously attended Huntly Early Childhood Centre, I always knew it was a place that felt like home. My teaching philosophy and passions are grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a focus on tino rangatiratanga, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all tamariki. I celebrate the uniqueness of each tamaiti, valuing their whakapapa and individual identities, while incorporating Maaori perspectives, te reo, and tikanga practices into the curriculum.

I strive to create a space where every tamaiti, regardless of ability, can flourish and reach their full potential. Building strong, respectful relationships with tamariki and their whaanau is central to my approach, fostering collaboration and creating a learning environment that reflects their backgrounds, culture, and personal interests. By connecting home and centre experiences, I aim to nurture a sense of belonging and support the holistic development of each tamaiti.

I feel fortunate to be part of the HECC team, this an amazing centre. As a mother of three, you can see the care and attention that is put into each child while they are here. Watching these diverse youngsters come together and be put on the pathway to success a testament to the abilities and commitment of our teachers.

Kia ora! I have grown up in Huntly and am a mum of two girls who attended and loved this centre. I'm thrilled to be part the team at HECC as a student teacher. I'm eager to learn from the experienced kaiako and contribute to the nurturing environment where children are supported in their learning journey.

As a teacher, my goal is to foster a love of learning in every child while supporting their holistic development. I believe in building strong, trusting relationships with each child. By creating a supportive and encouraging environment, I aim to inspire curiosity and confidence, helping children feel valued and motivated to explore the world around them.