Our Amazing Leadership Team
Kirstie
Kirstie
Centre Manager
Ki ora, my name is Kirstie. I was born and bred in Pukekohe and completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in July 2013. I was a nanny for 13 years prior to starting ECE so children and education have always been a passion of mine. I have one boy, Eli who is very much the centre of my life. Eli and I spend a lot of time in Whangamata with my partner and his two girls. We enjoy going to the beach, camping, and spending any time we can as a family. As a manager of Farmhouse Preschool building relationships is a key part of my role, and a big part of my philosophy.
Sian
Sian
Head Teacher - Patumahoe
Sian is our HEAD TEACHER at Farmhouse Preschool Patumahoe. She is a fully qualified ECE teacher who moved to the Franklin region from Papamoa Beach. Sian is mum to the gorgeous Ruby. She is enthusiastic about following children’s spontaneous interests with the help of their individual lenses and expertise.
Kayla
Kayla
Head Teacher - Karaka
Kia ora, my name is Kayla. I have been a fully qualified Early Childhood Educator for over 8 years now. I absolutely love working with and alongside Tamariki and engaging in their play. I believe that children grow to be amazing confident, competent and capable learners where I look forward to seeing them all grow throughout my days working between the two centres. Ever since I was in primary school I knew that working with children is where I wanted to be, so I followed my goal and here I am teaching and I have been given this amazing opportunity to work at Farmhouse Preschool.
Odette
Odette
Administration Manager
Odette is our ADMINISTRATION MANAGER she handles all our enrolments and accounts enquiries. Odette lives in Waiuku with her husband and has three daughters. Odette works part-time at Farmhouse Preschool and is available - Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 9am-4pm.
Odette has been a part of the Farmhouse Family since she joined the team in 2013.
Our Awesome Teaching Team
Our Awesome Teaching Team
Sharon
Sharon
Sharon first joined our team in 2013. She is a kind, calm and passionate teacher.
In her spare time Sharon has a passion for creating beautiful spaces, she is a keen renovator and an amazing decorator.
Robyn
Robyn
Kia ora my name is Robyn and I was born and bred in the Franklin area. I now live in Pukekohe with my husband Rangi, our son Nathan and until recently our daughter Isabella who has just headed off to university in Wellington. In our holidays and time off we love to discover more of our beautiful country NZ - whether its jumping in a car and road tripping or planning a trip and flying somewhere around NZ, it's the thing I love to do.
I really love working with young children, where no two days are the same and I have met many wonderful children, families and teachers throughout my time in the Early Childhood Sector. Building relationships with all involved in a child's learning environment is important to me as it provides everyone a great base to support, nurture and let the children blossom and grow.
Nina
Nina
I grew up in Northland and prior to making Franklin my home, spent many years living overseas and travelling as much as I possibly could! I now live in Pukekohe with husband Chris and my children, Kitty and Byron. One of our favourite things to do is to take road-trips together and explore our beautiful country. I adore working with young children and believe that when our youngest people know that they are truly valued and their interests are supported in an encouraging environment, they will thrive.
Wendy
Wendy
Hi, my name is Wendy. I have been an E.C.E teacher for 36 years. I have two grown up children Luke (29) and Brittany (22). I also have my first grandchild a gorgeous little boy named Saige. Being a preschool teacher to me means, building the foundations for the future. Our tamariki are that future, and I believe my calling and job is to be that support, that nurturer, that caring teacher, bringing knowledge to their love for learning through their play.
Our Directors
Our Directors
The Ward Family
The Ward Family
This journey began for us in 2008 when we tried but couldn't find a preschool for our children which reflected the rural lifestyle we so loved. We wanted a small family-centred preschool with real grass and lots of space for children to explore. We opened Patumahoe Preschool in 2009 to met that need.
In 2015, after realising that many other families shared our desire for small preschools, we opened Farmhouse Preschool Karaka (then called Berwick Preschool).
In 2019 we moved to Hamilton to follow our children's schooling choices but we are still actively involved in the preschools.