Guided by Nature, Led by Caring Teachers
Our team of passionate, highly experienced teachers is dedicated to nurturing your child's natural curiosity and love for learning in our beautiful valley setting.
Norman
Centre Manager | Barn Room | Fully Registered Teacher
With over three decades of experience in early childhood education, Norman brings warmth, knowledge, and a deep passion for supporting children’s growth and learning. He believes in creating a balanced environment where children can enjoy the freedom of play while also building the confidence and skills needed for school and beyond. Norman plays a key role in guiding our transition-to-school programme, which has been warmly recognised by both families and local schools. Known for his approachable nature and genuine dedication, he is deeply committed to supporting each child’s development and wellbeing every day.
Sarah
Barn Room Teacher | NZ Level 5 Diploma Holder
Sarah brings a deep love for arts and crafts into the kindergarten, and her creativity is evident in the thoughtful, inspiring environments she helps create each day. As Norman’s daughter and a valued member of the team since the very beginning, she has grown alongside the kindergarten and played an important role in its journey. She is the creative mind behind many of our play space transformations, drawing inspiration to design engaging, imaginative environments for children. Sarah beautifully blends her roles as educator and designer, turning everyday spaces into meaningful worlds of exploration and play.
Donna
Kea Room Teacher
Donna has been a treasured member of our farm team for 11 wonderful years, bringing with her over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. She has a genuine passion for teaching and a deep love for animals, which naturally shines through in her everyday practice.
She leads with warmth and heart, building meaningful connections with both children and the natural world around them. Donna has a wonderful ability to tune into each child, responding with care and understanding to their individual needs and interests. She brings a bright, uplifting energy to the environment, and her enthusiasm is truly infectious.
Always thoughtful and forward-looking, Donna is continually finding new ways to enrich our kindy community and create rich, engaging learning experiences for the children.
Deepthi
Barn Room | Fully Registered Teacher
Deepthi has been a valued member of our kindergarten team for the past three years, bringing with her around nine years of experience in early childhood education. She is deeply committed to relational teaching and takes great care in building warm, responsive connections with children.
She has a strong passion for sensory play and for the spontaneous “magic moments” that emerge in children’s everyday learning. Deepthi has a natural ability to extend these moments into meaningful learning experiences that support curiosity and discovery. She also places a strong focus on social learning, gently guiding children to build friendships, develop confidence, and grow their communication skills through shared play.
Energetic and fully present, Deepthi loves joining in children’s play—whether it’s running across the field or embracing a muddy outdoor adventure. She brings joy, enthusiasm, and a genuine sense of connection to everything she does, making learning active, engaging, and full of heart.
Catherine
Kea room | Fully Registered Teacher
Cath is a warm and deeply positive presence in our kindergarten, bringing over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She leads with kindness and calm, helping to create a reassuring and nurturing environment for both children and colleagues.
She has a beautiful way of supporting children by learning and growing alongside them, always responding gently to what they need in the moment. Cath is often greeted with a smile, as her caring and attuned approach makes children feel safe, seen, and valued.
Outside the classroom, Cath is also a wonderful baker, and she often shares her creations, adding an extra touch of warmth and togetherness to our kindergarten community.
Saleena
Barn Room Teacher| NZ Level 5 Diploma Holder
Saleena brings a rich depth of knowledge and experience from 17 years of primary teaching in India, which she gently weaves into her practice at our kindergarten. She has been a valued member of the Farm Kindy team for the past two years and is deeply committed to creating a warm, secure, and nurturing environment where children feel safe, confident, and free to learn, play, and grow at their own pace.
Her calm and thoughtful presence helps children feel settled and supported as they explore new experiences and build meaningful relationships. Saleena has a beautiful passion for arts and crafts, and she brings creativity and imagination into everyday learning, encouraging children to express themselves and explore ideas through hands-on, creative experiences.
Kimberley
Kea room | Fully Registered Teacher
Kimberley has been working in Early Childhood Education for the past 18 years and brings a deep passion for supporting young children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. She is committed to creating safe, nurturing, and engaging environments where tamariki feel secure, valued, and inspired to explore and learn.Throughout her career, Kimberley has developed strong skills in fostering spaces where children can grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively through meaningful play and experiences. She places great importance on building positive and respectful relationships with both tamariki and their whānau, ensuring each child feels a strong sense of belonging.
Kimberley is dedicated to supporting every child as an individual, encouraging their confidence, curiosity, and independence, and helping to lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Samantha
Barn Room | Fully Registered Teacher
Sam brings nearly 10 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education sector and is deeply passionate about working alongside children and building meaningful, responsive relationships. Sam's teaching philosophy is grounded in a holistic approach, with a strong belief in the environment as the “third teacher.”
Sam enjoys creating rich, engaging learning experiences through the use of natural resources, encouraging children to explore, discover, and form strong connections with the world around them.
Hong
Barn Room Teacher| NZ Level 5 Diploma Holder
Hong brings a calm, nurturing, and caring presence to the Barn Room, creating a sense of comfort and belonging for both children and families.
She has a strong interest in activities that support fine motor development and enjoys incorporating creative arts experiences into the programme. Through thoughtful and engaging learning opportunities, Hong encourages children to explore, create, and develop confidence in their skills.
Leanne
Barn Room Teacher
Leeann
Barn Room | Provisionally Registered Teacher
Leeann brings 17 years of rich experience in the home-based Early Childhood Education sector, offering a wealth of knowledge and care to her practice. She is passionate about creative play and crafts, enjoying opportunities to spark imagination and support children’s self-expression through hands-on experiences.
Having previously completed her practicum at the farm during her studies, Leanne is familiar with the environment and is delighted to be back working alongside Norman and the team. She brings a sense of connection, enthusiasm, and dedication to her role within the kindergarten community.
Alex
Kea room | Fully Registered Teacher
Alex is deeply passionate about creating a warm, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every child feels genuinely valued, respected, and a strong sense of belonging. She is highly intuitive in her practice, with a natural ability to understand and respond to children’s needs with care and sensitivity.
Alex is also persistent and dedicated in her efforts to build a safe, secure, and nurturing space for all children. She consistently works with calm determination to ensure children feel emotionally safe, supported, and confident to explore, learn, and grow.
Alice
Barn Room | Provisionally Registered Teacher
Alice brings 1.5 years of experience working with children of all ages, along with the rich insight of being a mum to her 5-year-old son.
Alice is a patient and caring teacher who is passionate about creating a warm, positive, and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and included. She is committed to nurturing children’s confidence and wellbeing through gentle, responsive, and thoughtful interactions.
Hannah
Kea room | Fully Registered Teacher
Hannah has been a valued member of the team for the past three years and is passionate about supporting children to learn and grow through meaningful play experiences. Born and raised in West Auckland, she brings a strong sense of connection to her community and a genuine understanding of the local context.With five years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Hannah is a young, bright, and enthusiastic educator who approaches her work with energy and heart. She is always seeking opportunities to build strong, trusting relationships with whānau and values collaboration as a way of supporting children’s learning journeys together.