I’ve always believed in Early Childhood Education… my own was at home, helped by the fact that my Mum is a Kindergarten Teacher!  On leaving school I trained as a Kindergarten teacher, taught in Kindergartens (and a stint at IHC Preschool) for a number of years in Christchurch and Oamaru.   For a change I studied Japanese fulltime, then had a stint in retail before working at Spreydon Baptist Church for a number of years (yes I can perform marriages!!!!).  I met Tony, the man of my dreams, moved to Wanganui in 2002 and at that time starting working in the Early Childhood Home Based Care Industry.  It wasn’t until the end of 2003 that PAUA was ‘born’.

When I started PAUA Early Childhood Home Based Care Service it was born out of a desire to provide quality Home-based Education for Preschoolers.  A commitment to provide high quality resources that would enhance the educational development of each child enrolled with PAUA.  A commitment to support Educators so that they can provide a quality service for the children in their care. A commitment to provide a service for parents that would ensure peace of mind as to their child’s care.

As part of that commitment to excellence I am now on the Executive of the New Zealand Home-based Early Childhood Education Association.  The mission statement of the Association is “To be the voice of Home Based Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa New Zealand.”  We are working at National levels to ensure your children continue to get the quality education they deserve.  This year I have also been involved in a reference group gathered by the Ministry of Education to work on the Home-based Early Childhood Draft Criteria.

My commitment is to provide the highest quality of education for your children, I’d love to hear from you at any stage if you have ideas on how we can improve the service PAUA Early Childhood Home Based Care Service offers.

It has been exciting to be involved with PAUA from its inception, and even moreso now that I am on board full-time! I have taken responsibility for all PAUA’s administration requirements, and will often be the first point of contact when you call our office. It has been great getting to know so many of our PAUA families.

 I have a strong administrative background, primarily in the health sector. I have also had experience as an Immigration Consultant, and most recently, four years of working rotating shifts in a manufacturing environment.

 I have two children, Jeffrey (19) and Helene (16). I wish we had known about home-based care when they were pre-schoolers! Away from work I’m a mad-keen golfer and a keen musician, while Raewyn and I are currently attending Te Ara Reo Maori classes at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Melody Nightingale
Regional Team Leader - Central North Region
Visiting Teacher - Tauranga/Putaruru/Tirau

Kia ora koutou

Ko Melody Nightingale toku ingoa!  

I believe my love of working with children began in my own whanau.   I am the oldest of 5 siblings and always had full responsibility of them and I provided great support for my mum, a soldier's wife, and someone I've always admired for the wonderful way she brought us up.   That's not to say that Dad wasn't any great, he's the one that encouraged me to go into Early Childhood because I seemed to have such a knack with kids!   So my career was born!

For the passed 23 years I've had the privilege of working in many different parts of the education sector.   From private early childhood centres to community owned kindergarten, crèche, and recently I completed a stint in the Ministry of Education, I enjoyed that very much!

I used home based care for my youngest child Olivia when I went back to work as I felt 1 of 4 children was a better than 1 of 25 children under 2.   It really was the best choice for me as a full time working mum!  

I am very excited to now be joining PAUA Early Childhood Home Based Care as Regional Team Leader for Central North Region.     PAUA has so much to offer families and what attracted me to PAUA was its reputation for quality service and quality support for families.   I especially love that PAUA provides whanau based care and wish that it was around when my kids were little.   I love that PAUA offer Koroheke me Kuia (grandfather and grandmother) that are already in the home caring for their mokopuna (grandchildren), PAUA offers support for them to carry on their important role in the whanau.

At the moment I live in Wanganui with my husband Stu and our two daughters Lucy 14yrs and Olivia 10yrs.   We are on the move to Tauranga in July and will be joining our son Samuel 16yrs who is living with his Uncle Howard in Tauranga.   My brother Howard, recently widowed, is Dad to Taiko 11yrs, Jada 2yrs and Howie 1yrs, Stu and I look forward to supporting Howard in his parenting role.   As you can see my whanau is quite big!   And some!

I look forward to growing in my new PAUA role, working with the teams at PAUA and extending the wonderful PAUA service to the Bay of Plenty Region!   

Nga mihi nui na

I was raised in Sydney, South Auckland and Brisbane in a family who moved about with my father’s Primary Teaching postings.  I moved back to NZ with my husband Phil and daughters Kayla and Jewel in 2001, coming from the heat of Northern Queensland to the cold of Rotorua! Phil pastors in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and so we have been privileged to be a part of an ‘extended multicultural family’ these past 6 years.

My initial Bachelor’s degree in Education was in English Teaching and I have taught in Secondary Schools, TAFE colleges and been involved in various relief teaching positions.  I came to Early Childhood when my third (kiwi) daughter, Jenna, was young and have been teaching in relief, permanent and even cooking positions for the past 3 years.   I completed a graduate diploma of Early Childhood Education through the University of Auckland in 2006.

My family and I are thrilled to be working with PAUA in Taupo for a number of reasons.  I love little children and am convinced of their ability to learn above and beyond most usual expectations.  I love to write, and the reports and learning stories give me great opportunities to express myself, be creative and connect with the children and whanau.  And I already feel the caring and supportive environment that is PAUA and am honored to be a part of that ‘something more’ than just education!

Sarah Infield

Hi, my name is Sarah Infield and I was born and grew up in Taihape. From an early age I knew that pre-school education was a field that I wanted to work in, so in 2001 I began a three year Bachelors Degree at Massey University in Education in the Early Years. After graduating at the end of 2003, I moved to Taupo and spent just over a year working in a local pre-school with 2-5 year olds. I then moved on to a Nursery and spent 2 and a half years working with 10 babies each day – which I absolutely loved! My partner, Joel, is a local roofer, and in January our beautiful baby girl, Lilah Grace, was born. I feel very lucky to have been able to spend the first six months of her life at home with her – she is a joy to be with, and is growing and changing so fast! I was introduced to PAUA by Laura, who is also a PAUA Visiting Teacher – and if you haven’t already guessed, also my sister. We grew up with my Mum at home, which was fantastic, so home based care is something that I really believe in. I am looking forward to being a part of the PAUA team!

He Mihi atu nei kia koutou katoa, I runga I Te Matua, Tama, Wairua-Tapu, me Nga Anahera-Pono, me Te mangai ae.
Respectful greetings to you all, Reverently conveyed to you all; under the protection of the Father our creator, the Son our redeemer, the Holy Spirit the breath of God, the faithful Angels Gods messengers and the divine Mouthpiece amen.

“ Ko to tatou Kainga,  ko te piki te Ora, me to tatou hinengaro, Kia Tau te Rangimarie ”
“May peace reign in your home, your life and your hearts”

My name is Donna Waipouri, before my lovely husband convinced me to change my name, my life and my bank account number I was known as Donna Pehi. I was bought up in the metropolises of Tokoroa, a little south Waikato town. I am the middle child of 8 children I had to share the middle child status with my younger brother James.

Now I am married to a James(Jim)!!!!!!!! Jim is the Cooking wonder in my life. We share 7 children and we have 5 son-in laws who have given us 10 unique mokopuna. They all weave this part of our families fabric and sometimes they come in close and make it feel all warm and fluffy and sometimes they get busy and it feels all drafty…Then Jim and I go around to their homes and tighten up the loose holes and with cuddles and laughs with our mokos; who dissolve us into bumbling fools! Grandchildren are the joy of our lives, they bring hope, new life, and springs freshness...broken bikes, lost teeth and new books to read. When their really outrageous they bring their sleeping bags and PJs, hehe. 

I feel a little old when I see the fashions return that I cooed over when I was 14, I feel younger when I see my aunties and uncles, I feel grateful that I have been blessed with; children; wonderful productive son-in laws; grandchildren, and work.

Work that brings; real life change with learning. Learning delivered to children and their families, that nurtures and stimulates change.

I understand that change, I graduated last year into my Teachers Diploma ECE , I dedicated my study to my beautiful gentle Dad who passed away five years ago. As well as my determined mum who inspired me to be a lifelong learner.  I have done all sorts of things before now from digging ditches to teaching adults to read. Now I am studying toward my Bachelor of Teaching and working in this amazingly creative and nurturing organisation. I have a grand nephew and a grand daughter who have been nurtured in the bosom of this organisation- waka. These two children have developed and been/being care for, in the PAUA kaupapa, with an educator that we knew, and a new to us educator. Both outcomes were/are positive. I consider myself privileged to be in this work. 
 I feel a new Whanau-whariki  is being woven. I look toward the horizon; at the work that comes my way, and I hope to honour the kaupapa of the PAUA vision, as a Visiting Teacher- Kaiako Awhina.

Whakamana
Ma te Whariki o te Kohanga reo e whakato te kaha ki roto I te mokopuna, ki te ako, kia pakari ai tana tipu. 

Empowerment
The early childhood curriculum empowers the child to learn and grow.

Piki te Ora, te kaha, te maramatanga- may we ascend to( a healthy) life, to strength, and to understanding.
 
Glossary
Kaiako awhina- visiting or supporting teacher
Kaupapa –principles
PAUA-  a sea mollusk that depends on a strong muscle that develops its nurturing instincts.
Waka- vessel
Whanau Whariki- weave of the family
Whanau – family, to give birth to

Tena koutou katoa

Hi my name is Rangi and I live in Turangi, where I have lived for the last 28 years. My intention was to stay only a year to complete a secretarial course but as fate had it I ended up here longer than intended - eventually marrying my husband Alec, who works for Genesis Energy.   Together we had our son Toby, who is 14 years old, and our daughter Amy, now 11 years.  

Prior to this I had worked in different administrative positions but I became passionate about Early Childhood Education when my children were of age to attend a service. The service we became involved in was in the Kindergarten sector which happened to be right at our front door-step.   It was at Turangi Kindergarten where I began my journey.   I worked there in various positions for 7 years and then was encouraged to go and get trained, which I did! A three year brain drain - gaining a Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood Education.   I have since done a stint at a Kindergarten in Taumarunui eventually being enticed to work for PAUA where home-based care will be a completely new and exciting direction for me.

The attraction to PAUA for me was the fact that it was established in Turangi but much more than that was that I was impressed with the sincerity of the company to provide an environment that promotes whakawhanaungatanga and manaakitanga which genuinely supports children, their families, Educators and staff. I am excited about working with PAUA because it provides a quality service by qualified staff and is ERO assessed. I believe the quality of the service is accelerated by the fact that one-on-one and small group interactions are evident within the home as well as having quality resources provided.

I look forward to the journey ahead.

Naku noa na Rangi.

Kia Ora,

My name is Paulette and I am married to Rodger who is in the NZ Army. I have two beautiful children Damien and Stacey. Family means everything to me and I enjoy every precious moment I have with them. Both Rodger and I are always there supporting and encouraging them in whatever they do. Both my children are swimmers and have represented Manawatu at swimming nationals, so we do lots of travelling around the country. We are very proud parents!! And I have to say I am one of the loudest supporters at the swimming pool and have almost fallen in the pool a few times because of all the excitement.

I have been working in the Early Childhood sector for over seven years now. I have worked in various centres over this time where I completed my Diploma of teaching through Te Tari Puna Ora o Aoteroa and my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning through Christchurch College of Education.

I believe that my role as a teacher is to be someone that makes a difference in children’s lives. I base my own personal philosophy on relationships and sociocultural theory and believe this has a direct influence and impact on children’s learning and development. I believe in building trusting partnerships with parents/whanau. It is important that educators/parents/whanau feel supported, respected and empowered.
I have a passion for programme planning, implementing the Treaty of Waitangi, communicating openly with parents/whanau and colleagues.

Home Based Education and care is a very new experience for me and I am looking forward to the challenge of growing further in my work in the early childhood sector. I also look forward to working with the team at PAUA and I am very excited about my new role.

Paulette

Tina Larsen

Kia Ora, I have lived in Palmerston North for most of the last 20 years and have been married to Errol a Fitter and Turner for over 10years.We have been blessed to have two wonderful children, Hayden 9years old, who is sport mad like his Dad and loves playing basketball, and Brianna 6 years old who is very sociable, full of energy and loves gymnastics. We are a Christian family who are involved with our church activities and community work as well. I have enjoyed travelling over the years and have lived in 3 other countries, Papua New Guinea, Australia and England. I love learning about new places to travel and different cultures. I also enjoy scrap booking, cooking, swimming and badminton.
I have always loved children and knew my career would involve children in some way. I started out working overseas as a nanny then got into working in a Childcare Centre here in Palmerston North 16 years ago and have never looked back. I did my training whilst working, and then later did a 2-year short course, “Diploma Of Teaching in Early Childhood” at Massey University.
I believe children are a gift and created in the image of God and we need to see them as He does, unique and special, worthy of love and respect, it is essential that we nurture the mana of each child and help shape them to reach their full potential.
I am very excited about working with PAUA and being apart of the home based education service that is rapidly growing in New Zealand and I look forward to getting to know you all better.
Ka kite ano, God bless

Tena koutou katoa. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou!
Hello and greetings to you all!
My name is Nicki. I currently live in Tokomaru with my wonderfully supportive husband Nigel and our gorgeous 9 month old son Meihana, who happens to be our entire world.

I have a diploma of teaching and a bachelor of Education, however, my greatest achievement is successfully raising my child to be a happy, healthy 9 month old. (Only 18 years to go!!!!)

I have over 10 years experience in the early childhood field. I have spent some time working in childcare but the majority of my teaching experience has been in Kindergarten. Most recently, I have worked as a teacher and head teacher with in the Ruahine Kindergarten Association. I loved my job in Kindergarten but decided to resign because of the long hours involved that no longer fitted around the demands of my little family.

Home based education is new to me but I really love it. I am very excited to follow my passion for early childhood education within a wonderfully supportive service such as PAUA. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and your precious little people, while supporting you as best as I can in your role as parents and educators.

Please remember when I come visiting, that I will never say no to a cup of coffee and a good laugh. This is especially vital, if I have been up half the night with my little man who is currently teething!

Ka kite ano.
See you later.
Nicki

Greetings to all,
My name is Brenda and I live with my husband Gary, and our three boys, Josh, Dominic and Jeremy in Pahiatua.  Our household also includes two cats (Gizmo & Sheba), a rabbit and a chinchilla.

Early Childhood Education has been a passion in my life for the last 25 years. On returning from the US as an exchange student in 1981 I chose to follow my love of children into this field. I spent several months working at the Massey Crèche before starting my training as a Kindergarten teacher. After finishing my diploma I spent the next 11 years teaching in Levin and Pahiatua, until my own children arrived.
 My first born was in private home based care and then when my second arrived I was encouraged to start providing care myself. The last eleven years have seen home based care become a major part of my life. In 1999 I had the opportunity to move from providing care privately to joining a home based service and from there 5 years later to becoming a coordinator with this service, the rest as they say in history! This is the job for me and I look forward to extending and enriching my own life through helping others do the same for the treasures of our future-our children.

I am very excited to able to follow my passion with such a wonderful service that cares about all the people involved with it. I am looking forward to helping PAUA grow and enrich the lives of children, parents and educators in a new region.

My philosophy in life is to treat others as I wish to be treated myself and always SMILE, as no one can resist giving that smile back to you!!

Laura Infield
Visiting Teacher - Pahiatua

Kia ora koutou!                                  
I was born and grew up in Taihape, which is where I met my partner, Lance. After completing my secondary education, I moved to Palmerston North to study a Bachelor of Education Early Years; a three year degree which I have recently completed – a great sense of achievement! In my third year of study I spent a lot of time in Pahiatua, due to Lance getting a job in the area. We have recently purchased our first home in Pahiatua, which has become a new focus project for the both of us – and also a little stressful!
Home based care is new to me, but has always been an area of early childhood education I was interested in learning more about. I look forward to being part of the unique team at PAUA and helping to provide quality care and education for children. With the compassion and enthusiasm of the team being an added bonus! PAUA will be a fantastic way to start my teaching career and to continue my journey as a life long learner in the field of education.
Do not wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel .......... stride down there and light it yourself.
Ka kite ano.

Mary Morris
Visiting Teacher - Woodville/Dannevirke

Kia Ora, Hello

My name is Mary Morris and I live in Woodville with my Husband and my two daughters. We came to Woodville from Palmerston North where we lived for three years after moving from the Kapiti Coast.

I gained my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Victoria University in Wellington and have been working in Early Childhood Education for 10 years-beginning when my oldest daughter went to Play- Centre.

I've always had a passion for working with young children and over the past few years I have experienced many different ways of educating and caring for children and their development. I have always considered home based care to be one of the best options for childcare and education for young children and that is why I am very happy to become part of the PAUA Home Based Care team as a PAUA Visiting Teacher for the Tararua region.

Erika Langenhoven

My name is Erika Langenhoven and I am married to Philip, who works as a communications advisor. Our family migrated from South Africa and we feel blessed to live in wonderful Aotearoa New Zealand.

We have lived in Auckland for the past 8 years and we now live on the Kapiti Coast.  We have three children. My oldest daughter, Katrina is in her second year at uni and is studying Occupational Therapy.  She had to remain in Auckland to continue her studies, and we’re getting to understand what ‘empty nest syndrome’ means! Our middle child, Maria, is in her first year of Secondary School and my ‘baby’, Philip is 12 years old and in Year 7. Both younger ones are enjoying their new schools.

I am currently relieving for Nicki who is on maternity leave. She recently had a beautiful new baby girl named Maia.

I retrained at Massey University in both Primary and Early Childhood Education. I worked in an Auckland based Christian Kindergarten for three years.  I value childcare and education in a home setting and believe that every child is unique and special and should be treated with respect. I also believe that a safe physical and emotional environment is very important to a child’s well-being.

Children are confident, capable learners that construct their understanding of themselves and the world around them through their interaction with others. Secure attachment relationships will have a positive influence on the independence, social interactions, and learning and development of children. I also believe in co-operative, collaborative relationships, where children, teachers, parents, educators and the community work together to enhance children’s learning and development.

This will be the first time that I will be working as a Visiting Teacher in the home-based environment. I am excited about this new challenge and know that I will learn a lot. It will be a privilege to get to know colleagues, Educators, parents and all the children.

God bless

Hi, my name is Sandra and I live with my three children Christina, Alex and Michaela, and a cute and busy granddaughter Paige, and (today's count) three cats.

I grew up in Marton and now live in Wanganui.   I always wanted to be a Kindergarten Teacher when I was growing up, so I surrounded myself into lots of teaching areas, e.g. taking Brownies, teaching swimming lessons and lots of babysitting jobs. I then ventured in the hairdressing industry until I started having babies.

Babies then grow into children and need care. My son was a very busy child and went into a home-based care with a good friend. I ended up looking after children in my own home and then moved into different Early Childhood centres. This evidently led me into gaining my Diploma in Teaching in Early Childhood.

I have always had a love of children and I am looking forward to working with and alongside parents, whanau and Educators in a unique way.

I have recently come across a statement which I love and want to share with you.

'That which is nurtured blossoms and grows.'

I want to nurture, see the blossoms, and grow children of all ages.

God bless