Our Goals, Our Mission

These will be our guiding principles that lay the foundations to our holistic approach to early years education

whanaungatanga

relationship

manaakitanga

kindness

kaitiakitanga

guardianship/protection

Our Centre

image7
image14
image2
image13
image18
image0
image17
image19
image8
image15
image10
image11
image12
image9
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

We are a privately owned Early Learning Centre aiming to offer something a little different when it comes to caring for our tamariki. Our purpose designed and built centre is something we are super proud of and we hope you love it as much as we do. We will focus on new approaches in raising your child including a mindfulness programme, to assist with the handling of daily social and emotional competencies which helps strengthen the mental health of these young individuals. A calm environment inside and out will create an enjoyable place to grow and learn, as well as offering a sweet little sensory room to benefit a range of children with different needs.

We have designed our centre to offer the best experience for everyone who enters. The purpose-built building was developed with every aspect considered, from the room layout and flow, the sensory room to the simplest of things like having an outdoor WC facility for the children – there’s a reason behind everything we have incorporated.

Our garden has not been forgotten in the design process – we wanted it to be as natural as possible and offer a range of fun activities to stimulate both mind and body. We have a cute mud kitchen, carpentry area, vegetable patch with worm composting, sandpits as well as interactive pop up zones.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Above standard child:teacher ratio
  • Exciting trips throughout the year
  • Use of a Sensory Room
  • Natural learning garden with a vegetable patch
  • Mindfulness programme in place
  • Healthy meals and snacks are provided by our in-house cook
  • All eco-luxe nappies and wipes are provided
  • All 5 of their senses are considered daily
  • All staff to be first aid trained with on site EpiPens available
  • Kind, calm, and considerate staff with a wealth of knowledge in their field
  • A safe and happy environment for your child to bloom
  • So much more…just come and see for yourself

Products

Restorative Yoga Class – 4 Week Course

Join us for 4 weeks of restorative yoga class, starting 07/03/2024, 6:30 p.m.

$110.00

Our People

We have an amazing team with years of experience to offer. Each member has their special field of expertise and together we collaborate with you and the community.
Hannah

Hannah

Centre Manager

Tenā koutou katoa
Ko Hannah ahau
Nō Ingarangi ōku tīpuna
I tipu ake ahau I Tākaka
Ko Whakatū tōku kainga ināianei

Hello,
My name is Hannah
My family comes from England
I grew up in Tākaka
Now I live in Nelson

I have been teaching in Early Years for over 22 years now, working in the UK and in New Zealand. I graduated with an Honours Degree in Early Years Education and Childhood Studies back in 2015. Following various child psychologists, cultures and curriculums, it has shown me that there are so many levels to learning and has helped shape my holistic understanding of childhood studies. Each child is unique and special and has the right to learning that recognises this

I currently live at home with my Husband Kris, my children Emily and James have flown the nest recently, so I am rediscovering my hobbies.

I am excited to lead the team at Wildflowers and to be part of the learning journey and to build those important relationships with our tamariki and their whānau.

Chloe

Chloe

Teacher

Kia ora koutou,
Kō Chloe tōku ingoa
Kei te noho au ki Whakatū

My name is Chloe and I live in Richmond with my husband Chris and my two children Logan (4) and Bonnie (1).

My teaching journey began in May 2020 when I decided to switch careers after the birth of my little boy Logan in 2019.

I thoroughly enjoy my time with the tamariki in my care and love seeing the awe and wonder of the children around me. I am passionate about working with children and helping to develop and grow young minds and supporting them to discover and follow their interests.

Relationships are at the heart of everything I do, as a teacher. I see the child-teacher relationship as responsive and reciprocal, and I believe we can learn just as much from our children as they learn from us. I believe building responsive, reciprocal relationships with the children, their families and our fellow Kaiako is vital to create a warm, caring, environment for children. I believe responsive, and reciprocal relationships are an essential part of quality early childhood education.

I believe each child is at the centre of their own learning. I see my role as being a supporter, being present with the child, and following the child’s interests when creating learning experiences for them.

Alicia

Alicia

Teacher

Tenā koutou katoa
Ko Alicia Rombel ahau
Nō Porana ōku tīpuna
I tipu ake ahau I Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai
Ko Whakatū tōku kainga ināianei

Hello,
My name is Alicia Rombel
My family comes from Poland
I grew up in Lower Hutt
Now I live in Nelson

I have two teenage children, a cat and a German shepherd. I love kayak fishing and am a local artist. My background includes primary teacher training and working as a teacher aide for special needs.

I discovered my passion for early childhood teaching at the beginning of 2022.

Caitlin

Caitlin

Teacher

I have been working in Early Childhood Education since 2010 in both New Zealand and Australia with my passion working with infants and toddlers. I graduated at the end of 2014 with a Bachelor of Education (ECE).

My husband Sean and I live in Richmond with our two beautiful children who have helped shape me into the teacher I am today.
I value respectful practice, allowing children the time and space to explore their environment and interests at their own pace. I love establishing trusting relationships with the child and their whānau and working collaboratively to ensure the best care is provided for them.

I cannot wait to be part of your little ones learning journey in the Buttercups Room, observing them as they discover the world around them.

Gina

Gina

Administrator

My name is Gina and I am the Administrator here at Wildflowers. I was born here in Nelson and spent my childhood growing up in the Richmond area. I studied Business Administration after I finished school and worked as a receptionist for several years.

After some overseas travel, I moved to Auckland where I worked as an ECE teacher in the toddler room. This was a job I adored but I missed the slower paced lifestyle that Nelson offers so eventually moved back.

Since being back we built our first home, bought another, I married my now husband Duncan and just last year we had our first child, a wee boy named Cian who will be attending Wildflowers in the babies room.

We currently live in The Meadows area along with my sister Lara and her dog Poppy. In my spare time I enjoy being out in the garden, going for walks, making memories with Cian, spending time with my family and fishing at our bach in Penzance Bay.

I am really excited to be apart of the Wildflowers team as my role combines both my love for administration and working with children. I look forward to meeting and greeting you all at the front desk each day.

Lara

Lara

Teacher

Kia ora, my name is Lara and I am a teacher in the Poppies room. I was born and raised in Nelson and love being able to call it home. I recently moved into the Meadows area with my sister Gina, her husband Duncan, my nephew Cian and my dog Poppy, and am absolutely loving it so far!

I started my studies for my Bachelor of Education (ECE) when I was fresh out of college at 17 years old. I completed my studies at the end of 2014 and have been working as a qualified ECE teacher for the last eight years.

I am passionate about building strong respectful relationships with tamariki and whānau and believe this is the most important part of my job. I bring a friendly, calm and nurturing approach to my teaching, creating an environment where children feel safe to explore, grow and learn at their own pace.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going on walks and adventures with my dog, and relaxing at our family bach in the Marlborough Sounds.

I am really looking forward to meeting you all and having the privilege of being a part of your child’s learning journey!

Leao

Leao

Teacher

Kia ora koutou
Ko Leao Asomua Toku ingoa

My name is Leao and I will be your child’s new Kaiako in the papi room.

Last year I returned back from Christchurch where I had been living for the past 16 years. I have 2 adult sons and 4 gorgeous grandchildren here in Nelson. I live in Wakefield with my eldest son, and I am in the middle of building a house-bus to call home.
It is such a privilege to be joining the team here at Wildflowers and working alongside our new team to make this centre amazing and becoming part of the preschool whānau.

I have been working in the Early childhood education for 16 years now and have a wealth of knowledge that I can share with you to help support your tamariki to grow. I believe that relationships are the key to preschool life and these relationships are the foundation to support your tamariki to settle into their environment and from there become confident in all areas of learning and social interaction with and alongside their peers.
I look forward to the journey I will take with you and your tamariki.

Abby

Abby

Teacher

Tena koutou katoa
Ko Kapukataumahaka te maunga
Ko Owheo te awa
Ko Otakou te whanga
No Otepoti ahau, inaianei e noho and ke Omaio

Kia ora my name is Abby. I live in Stoke with my husband John and our two teenage children, Jessie our daughter and Ajay our son. In my spare time I love to get out on the water on my Paddleboard and in the warmer months we spend a lot of time at Kaiteriteri in our caravan with family and friends.

I have been working in Early Childhood since 2014 and in 2016 I graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood. I have a passion for infants and toddlers and I believe that early childhood is the most crucial stage in a child's life. It has become my goal to be an early childhood educator so I can offer support at this important stage and help children learn and grow as they interact with the world around them.

I am honoured to be a part of the wonderful Wildflowers team and will be working in the Buttercups (Korikori) room. I am looking forward to getting to know your tamariki and whanau as we embark on this journey together.

Janey

Janey

Teacher

Kia ora! My name is Janey, and I live locally with my husband Nick and our two daughters Rose (2) and Emma (6 months). I love spending quiet time with my family, reading and have a passion for photography.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2022, and am so excited to be a member of the incredible Wildflowers team joining the Daisies Room. I have a passion for working with infants and toddlers; creating a warm and nurturing environment where tamariki can explore, learn and grow at their own pace.

Relationships are at the heart of my teaching practice. I believe that responsive, respectful and nurturing relationships are vital in creating a warm and caring environment, where tamariki feel safe to explore.

I am so excited to get to know you and your whānau, supporting your little ones' learning journey in the Daisies Room.

Heila

Heila

Chef

My name is Heila and I am a qualified chef with 18 years food industry experience. I grew up on a wine farm but swapped tractor rides for a kitchen. I obtained my qualifications (professional cooking and baking) from the Institute of Culinary Arts near Stellenbosch, South Africa.

On weekends I love going on walks with my husband and son, digging in my vegetable garden and baking of course.
Working at Wildflowers is a special opportunity to help tamariki learn about the wonderful world of food and nutrition. I enjoy cooking seasonally because it amazes me how nature gives us all the different ingredients with bright colours, sizes and shapes.

I include different spices and ingredients to involve smell, taste and texture. I love seeing how people connect through meals and I'm excited to cook wholesome meals while including dietary requirements for every child's wellbeing.

Brittney

Brittney

Teacher

Kia ora, my name is Brittney, a passionate individual from South Africa who, in pursuit of a brighter future, has recently embarked on a life-changing journey to picturesque New Zealand. Alongside my partner, Carl, we have chosen the Nelson/Tasman region as our home.

In 2021, I achieved a Pre-School qualification in South Africa and I’m now breathing life into my passion in New Zealand. Fulfilling a childhood dream, I find myself working in the heartwarming Buttercups and Daisies room, where my genuine love and passion for children has become a cherished reality.

In my spare time, I lead an active lifestyle, finding joy in gym sessions, walks and exploring the beauty of Nelson. I also love a weekend morning yoga session on the beach, and I have a sweet tooth which fuels my passion for baking.

I’m thrilled to be part of Wildflowers Early Learning Center and I can't wait to build connections with the children and families as we embark on this enriching journey together.

Jade

Jade

Teacher

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Jade tōku ingoa
Nō Ngāti Porou ōku tīpuna
Kei te noho au ki Motueka

Kia ora my name is Jade Van Leeuwen
I live in Motueka with my husband Nick, daughter Georgia and son Mason. I was a hairstylist and owned my salon for 15 years before I made the change to early childcare 4 years ago.

In my spare time I enjoy going to our family holiday home in Okiwi Bay, fishing, kayaking and being involved with my children’s sport teams.

I am excited to be working in the Daisies room to support, nurture your tamariki and offer many great learning experiences here at Wildflowers.

I look forward to getting to know you and your whānau.

Liara

Liara

Admin

Hello, my name is Liara, I am from South Africa and have been in New Zealand for nearly 6 years now.

I currently live in Richmond with my husband, Zayne, and my daughter, Zaylee.

I have a level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management and have an extensive background in sales and administration.

I am a qualified Professional Makeup Artist, and I have a brow bar at home where I do makeup, brows, lashes, and spray tanning.

In my free time I love to travel and spend time with family. Zaylee loves going on walks, and as a family we enjoy taking the time to explore our new home in NZ.

I also have a Helicopter PPL, and when time allows, I LOVE to go flying.

I am excited to be a part of the team here at Wildflowers and look forward to seeing everyone every week.

Sophia

Sophia

Teacher

Ngā mihi nui kia kōutou katoa
Ko Sophia tōku ingoa

Hello, my name is Sophia. I was born and raised in Nelson. Once I graduated from Nelson Girls my academic journey led me to Wellington, where I completed a Bachelor of Health with a double major in Education and Health Promotion at Te Herenga Waka.

At the end of my Bachelor's degree, I knew I wanted to further solidify my learning within education so I moved back to sunny Nelson where I am currently doing a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) with Te Rito Maioha.

I have a wide range of interests, including CrossFit, Touch Rugby, Netball, Nutrition,
and hiking with friends.

I can’t wait to be part of your tamariki's journey in the papi's room and contribute to their growth and learning experiences.

Ngā mihi nui!

Blog

What's happening at Wildflowers

Wildflowers Open Day!

There was a fantastic turn out at Wildflowers Open Day this afternoon in spite of the weather!!! A steady stream of families explored the many different rooms and creative spaces with so many delightful features Read more…

Contact Us

Fill out the form on the right or contact us using the methods below

Visit our centre

8 Central Park Lane, The Meadows, Richmond 7020

Call Us

(03) 927 5038
Mon - Fri, 7:30 - 17:30

Contact Us