All About This Company

Malcolm and Jo Brown - Owner / Directors

Malcolm and Jo Brown opened Akoranga Preschool on 12th December 2012. Jo has been teaching for about 20 years in Early Childhood Education. When the opportunity arose for them to open their own centre, they took that.
Malcolm is a handyman (as a hobby) and built or created most of the outdoor play equipment by hand. Malcolm, Jo and family all worked together to build Akoranga Preschool to the outstanding centre that it is today.

 

Jo Brown - Qualified Teacher - Owner / Director

I believe that children have the right to choose how and when they play and learn, to set their own path to discovery and do this with little to no interference from an adult.
I see each child as a unique learner and with an enriching and supporting environment children will develop to their full potential.
I am very committed in supporting families with the support and opportunities to enrich their children’s lives, their hopes, dreams, joys and aspirations. Families are the first teachers of our children and to build a trusting relationship with them in turn build’s the trusting relationship with their children.
My philosophy in early childhood is catch those “teachable moments”, to provide a positive friendly environment that continues the development of confidence, discovery, idea forming, a trusting warm inviting atmosphere that the children feel safe and empowered to be the best competent learners they can be.

Kristy Summers - staff support. Founding staff member 2012

I believe in creating a warm and inviting environment where parents and their families feel comfortable. 
As I further my business management skills, I find that the tamariki also teach me and remind me to be who I am and not to be put down by the worlds persepctive. 
I thoroughly enjoy watching the younger members of our community learn and grown in an enriching environment that I helped create.

Kristy was a founding member of our team from December 2012 until she died of cancer 28th August 2018. She is the daughter of the owners/directors of Akoranga preschool.

Emily Mackey - Full Time Teacher

I am passionate about the care of young children. I am a firm believer that every child has different needs and it is up to me to ensure that these needs are met. I know that every child can be happy and enjoy being cared at for during their time away from home and I strive to provide a caring comfortable atmosphere for that to be possible.

I feel very strongly that the parents know their child better than anyone else and this is what will guide my day to day caring of their child. By forming a good relationship with the family I can care for their child as consistently as possible.

Rachel Ritchie- Qualified Teacher

As a teacher I believe all children are unique in different ways. They are worthy of all opportunities regardless of gender, age or background. I will encourage all children to explore their environment inside and outside   enabling them to grow physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. I will ensure I create a safe space where children feel they are able to approach me for help support and comfort.
 
 

Rose Dickison - Qualified Teacher/Manager Room 2

As an early childhood teacher I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating environment in which to learn and grow emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to support and encourage tamariki to meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites tamariki to learn through their individual interests, driving their learning.   Promoting respect for all people, places and things is the fundamental building blocks of an inclusive environment where all tamariki are treated with love and care. I recognize and value the important role of whānau as first teachers in a child’s life as they have unique knowledge that contributes to their education.  It is essential to develop respectful, reciprocal relationships with tamariki and families. New Zealand has a unique bicultural heritage and is founded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi. I endeavor to provide a place of learning that tamariki experience through the sights and sounds of the cultures of Aotearoa.   It is a privilege to be a part of your child’s learning journey.  

Alison Doorey - Qualified Teacher

I believe that every child has the right to be treated as an individual, and to be provided with the encouragement and support they need to reach their full potential.
To establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships with parents/whanau. I will communicate openly and respect their values and aspirations for their children/tamariki. I believe that when families and teachers work in partnership in this way, children’s sense of well-being and belonging will be enhanced, enabling them to become competent and confident learners.
Communication with tamariki and their families will also help me gain an understanding of each individual child’s knowledge, experience and interests so that I can facilitate relevant learning opportunities. By providing a safe and stimulating environment, valuing their play as meaningful, limiting disruption and interacting with them in a purposeful way I will maximise my ability to identify and extend their learning.
I believe that by recognising children’s capabilities and empowering them to take the lead as they explore the world around them, they will form positive opinions of their own abilities and self-worth, and be well placed to confidently engage in life-long learning.
 

Anna Woodward - Qualified Teacher

Ko tau rourou Ko taku rourou Ka ora ai nga tamariki With your contribution And my contribution Our children will prosper (Author unknown) My philosophy is based on building reciprocal, caring relationships with tamariki to assist in their learning and development through their interests, in a nurturing environment. Building respectful, reciprocal relationships with tamariki and whanau through regular communications, in person and through storypark, to install the feeling of belonging for all who come in my care and their extended family.  Having a strong relationship with a child and their family is key to being able to extend learning and development through children's interests and family expectations. I view tamariki as learners who are empowered to explore, grow and develop at their own pace.  Treasuring each child's uniqueness and passion to learn.  Allowing space and time for each child to find their own path of learning.  Caring of each aspect of child's development and growth for a holistic approach.I will continue to learn with and from the tamariki in my care, continually building my skills for the benefit of those in my care.  

Yvonne Wilkinson - Qualified Teacher

I believe  in a collaborative approach to teaching with relationships being the KEY! Research indicates that children learn through their relationships with people places and things…
Therefore I believe in:
Being a passionate, skilled teacher and ongoing learner who takes the time through careful  observations and korero with children and their families to discover, understand and cater for children's individual    developmental and learning needs in my daily teaching practice.
Building positive, warm reciprocal relationships with al tamariki and their families because relationships have a major impact on children’s: Personality, Identity, Social skills and Learning dispositions. Children’s early attachment influence how well they play, and learn and relate to others, and are key to giving children a sense of value and belonging and a sense of significance being an important part of something as in   belonging and family.
Acceptance, Cooperation's and Responsive interactions, are key factors there fore my  primary role is to provide a context where children feel and develop a sense of safety, security and trust worth and value and autonomy, the key to that is my respect for them as individual learners , while being responsive and supportive of their social and emotional needs.
I believe play needs to be an important part of developmentally appropriate child care program, in a child directed   environment that is both rich in choice and content, designed to meet all their social physical emotional cognitive and learning needs. Frost (1992) stated that “ Play is the chief vehicle for the development of imagination, intelligence,  language social skills and perceptual motor abilities in infants and young children.”
 
 

Peter McGregor - Qualified Teacher

I believe that my role as an early childhood teacher is to provide a safe, caring , enjoyable and stimulating learning environment for the children I teach. Children who are shown respect will learn to show respect.  Children who are afforded patience and encouragement will develop the confidence to reach their potential.  I strongly believe that the key to successful life long learning is to become a confidant and positive communicator.  My intention each day is to help children to become inclusive of others, to keep trying when things seem to hard, to develop consideration for the rights and needs of others and to find enjoyment in their work and play.  

Erin Gray - Qualified Teacher

I believe as a teacher I am committed to giving children, family and whānau respect, acceptance and quality education. I feel strongly that the partnership reflected in the Treaty of Waitangi, that we as teachers and parents can provide the best possible environment where social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of all children are met.
I believe consistent communication and working collaboratively with family and whānau provides meaningful interactions, learning opportunities and experiences inclusive of all children. Building responsive and reciprocal relationships are an important support for children and parents in partnership. As a teacher I feel it is important to accept and treasure each child’s uniqueness, background and culture, and understand them as a whole, basing an environment where they can grow, learn and develop at their own developmental level. It is very important for me as a teacher to help each child meet their fullest potential in all aspects.
For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. I am excited to be able to serve future leaders and will strive to be the best, organised and effective teacher I can, who meets the requirements of my philosophy.

Chloe Little - Full time Teacher

I believe tamariki are to be given opportunity to be the best learners they can in their way and time. It is important that bonds with whaanau, teachers sand children are up held and mutual respect, integrity and honesty are elements within this relationship.  When children are listened to and valued they become confident learners.  Providing a safe, trusting and loving space is something I strive for. Te Whariki (curriculum) is of the up most importance to provide a cultural and diverse space for children to develop and the back bone of our practice.  All children should have the opportunity to learn and strengthen in a calm, nurturing environment.  As an educator it is my job to provide children with tailored opportunities to suit their different learning needs and styles.  Children's learning is at the centre of what I do, I ensure that education is fun, inviting and relatable. As a united network with whaanau, we can provide the best experiences for children, help them gain confidence to develop and flourish as the amazing humans they are.
 

Marsha Perkins - Housekeeping

I believe in building positive relationships with children and their families.  I enjoy having a hands on approach with the children and assisting in their physical needs with kai.  I believe early childhood is where a lot of life long practices are formed, and exploring healthy lifestyles and having a positive relationship with food is so important.