Our Staff

Manager / Owner: Katrina Culhane

Qualifications :

Diploma or Education Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood
Post Grad certificate in Gifted Education
Diploma in Child Protection Studies
Certificate in Maori Ora
Certificate in Business Management
First Aid
Teacher Registration
Post Grad Diploma in Management Leadership
Masters in Education - Currently Studying

Personal Philosophy:

I have a strong belief in that every child counts, every child deserves the best possible care and education that one can be given. I value setting foundations for lifelong learning and that the first three years in life is the most important experiences in building positive affirmations for a future life.

I believe we need to get it right in the first few years so that your child can do well at school, have good social skills and lead a happy and full life with goals and dreams.

I value the importance’s play plays on learning and developing. It is an opportunity for children to act out and making sense of the world around them. Each and every day they watch, listen, feel what is surrounding them and this is how children learn, then play is how they understand it and put it into their life.

This is very important to understand that what experiences we allow our children to explore will shape how their future will turn out.

I value as a manager having a open door policy were my time is always available to support, give advice, and grow each member of my team to be the best possible teacher that can be. I strongly believe in education as a key to becoming and maintain the best possible teachers. With knowledge comes power. You learn so much from either further study or weekly reading of important early childhood articles.

I have set up an appraisal system that allows every teacher to be current with readings and knowledge to ensure the children we care for are getting the best possible care available by enthusiastic educators.

Ellie Read

Teacher in Training
First Aid Trained

I am a passionate Early Childhood Educator and feel privileged to be working with a wonderful team and together providing a warm, nurturing, supportive, caring environment for all our tamariki to learn and to explore.
I look forward to continuing this journey and working alongside with all our tamariki and their whānau.

Tayla Jurgens

Teacher in Training
First Aid Trained

I love teaching because I love getting to experiences teaching and forming caring relationships with each individual child. I also love helping children to gain unique and valuable learning experiences through their play.

Louise O'Donnell

Centre Cook / Teacher
Basic Food Handling

Kia ora,
My name is Louise and I'm a proud mother of two beautiful children, Travis and Josie.
I value my role at First Years as I see the early years as the most important part of life in setting the foundations for life long learning. I feel it's important to support children to be respectful, develop empathy and be creative and curious about the world they live in.

Amber Calcott

Teacher in Training
First Aid Trained
Advanced Food Safety

Kia ora,
I am in early childhood education because I am passionate about guiding the growth of tamariki and their future learning journeys. I enjoy finding new ways to challenge tamariki and to support them in their learning.

Tassia Beck

Diploma of Teaching ECE (Level 7)
Fully Registered
Child Protection Study Programme
Incredible Years Teacher Programme
First Aid Trained

I have been teaching for over 10 years, I love being able to play an active part in guiding tamariki to become happy, confident, competent individuals. I love that as a First Years teacher, children are able to learn through the natural environment around them and explore a range of play based learning.

Jasmine De Monie

Bachelor of Education: Pre-school Education (Belgium)
Bachelor of Education: Special Education (advanced Bachelor) (Belgium)
First Aid Trained

My name is Jasmine De Monie, I am a qualified ECE and special needs teacher from Belgium. I am very proud to be part of the First Years Early Learning whānau!
I believe children are the biggest philosophers, they question everything and look at the world in a totally different way. I love learning together with children, we are role models for them, but they also teach us. They still possess the eyes filled with be wonderment, things we think are common, become special looking through their eyes.

Tanya Wilson

Teacher in Training
First Aid Trained

I have been working in Early Childhood Education for the past 6 years and am currently formalising my experience by studying towards my Bachelor of Education ECE. I am passionate about providing quality care and education and building strong positive relationships with tamariki and their whānau. I thoroughly enjoy working alongside our tamariki and supporting, encouraging and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Cara Blake

Diploma in Teaching (ECE) level 7
Fully Registered
Incredible Years Teacher Programme
Child Protection Study Programme
Certificate in Tikanga Maori (Level 3)
National Certificate in Māori (Te Waharoa) (Level 2)
First Aid Trained

Kia ora koutou katoa
As an educator with 12 years of experience, I am passionate about facilitating the foundations for lifelong learning.This is promoted through building positive and respectful relationships, working in partnership with children and their whānau, providing a safe and stimulating environment and by celebrating each child's culture, strengths, achievements and uniqueness. I am also committed and dedicated to the continual growth of my professional learning and teaching for the benefit of our tamariki and their future.

Anna Hall

Bachelor of Education (Early Years)
Certificate in Te Ara Reo Maori
Incredible Years Teacher Programme
Child Protection Study Programme
Full Registration
First Aid Trained

It is such a privilege to work with children. I enjoy the natural curiosity they bring and I enjoy helping children explore this and helping to create life long learners. Teaching with aroha and kindness are at the heart of my teaching philosophy and virtues which I spend time teaching children. First years provides a unique opportunity for children to learn in a sustainable natural environment which values creativity, all values I hold dear.

Jo Melville