Hi, welcome to my profile. :-)

My name is Carleen. I was born on the North Shore and lived there for the majority of my life. I worked in the cosmetics retail industry for ten years, until deciding to sail overseas on a 37' yacht to Australia, where I lived for eleven years. I sailed up the East coast of Australia, settling in Cairns and working in the tourism and hospitality industry. I had the horrible job of travelling to the Great Barrier Reef on daily cruise boats for ten years, (hey, someone had to do it!).

I left to go on maternity leave to have my son Blake, now 8. I took a year off to be mum and decided not to return to the tourism industry, but instead to start my own family daycare business. I did this for a year before selling up and coming back home to New Zealand to be around family once again. I felt this was important for Blake to know his family and grow up having them in his life.

Nine months later I gave birth to my daughter Holly, now 6. We have lived in Warkworth since returning and love the lifestyle and wonderful friends we have made, not to mention being close to family again. Both Blake and Holly now attend Warkworth Primary.
When Holly turned two I was offered the job as the Hibiscus Coast Truancy Officer, which I accepted and found very challenging and rewarding. I was working with children from the age of five to sixteen as well as parents, schools, education establishments, and social services agencies. I worked there for three years until unfortunately the position was terminated.

Both my children had attended Warkworth Childcare, (now Kowhai Kids Educare). I was offered employment there and worked on a casual basis until accepting a position as Teacher Aid at Tauhoa School. I loved this position and thrived on working with the children who had learning and behavioural difficulties. Unfortunately it was contract only and ended all to soon. Luckily for me I was offered the Teacher Aid position at the new Wellsford centre and am starting there on Monday. I am thoroughly looking forward to meeting new and fresh faces of both children and parents and also being part of a fantastic team in the new centre.

Until then, have fun and keep smiling. Carleen :-)

Hi my name is Leaonie Adams. I am a qualified early childhood teacher with 20 years experience.

I live in Mangawhai with my husband, Cameron, and 2 children, Loren (7) and Katie (5). Before moving to Mangawhai I worked in a centre in Orewa.

My family and I enjoy outdoor activities, especially fishing trips on our boat. Living in Mangawhai we are close to the sea, so many hours are spent at the beach searching for treasure, building sand castles, and of course, swimming in the summer time.

At Kowhai Kids, I have found the positive learning environment and friendly caring staff a joy to work alongside. I was attracted to the centre because the children here are happy, and the learning that takes place is of a very high standard. As both parent and teacher, I know how important these qualities are in nurturing young minds.

I look forward to meeting you and your child.

Kia Ora, my name is Lisa. I have been teaching for 15 years and I continue to thoroughly enjoy working with pre-schoolers everyday.

Early childhood education is my chosen career and I am currently in my last year of University studies as I complete my NZ ECE qualifications.

I am a very keen amateur photographer, and I enjoy painting, poetry, gardening and in general being creative and working in nature. I am born and raised in Wellsford and am very pleased to be working within my community. I have ECE qualifications from my eight years of living in Canada, and have returned home to roost.

I look forward to meeting new families and working with your children.

See you in the sandpit!