| Jennifer |
My name is Jennifer Dahl and I am the Licensee and owner of Kowhai Kids Educare. I am married to Bryce and we have 2 children - Jake who is nearly 9 and Katie who is 6. We've lived at Puhoi for 5 years and before that were on the Hibiscus Coast.
My background was banking and investment but having my own children ignited an interest in early childhood education and when Warkworth Childcare came up for sale in 2006 it seemed meant to be! I love being involved in Kowhai Kids. It is humbling to be entrusted with the care and preschool education of these precious children, and I am very proud of the awesome job my wonderful team of teachers do each and every day. Their energy and passion for children's learning makes it a fun place for staff and children alike. I look forward to meeting your family at Kowhai Kids Educare. |
| Glynis |
Kia Ora /Hi
My name is Glynis. I have lived in the Mahurangi area since 1985. I am married with three sons who are all adults now. For over 34 years I have been looking after children in many different fields. I enjoy working with children and it has been beneficial to my learning as well as theirs. My hobbies are walking, cross-stitch, boating and gardening. I have worked for Kowhai kids for over 9 years and really enjoy the team spirit between the teachers and the children. |
| Donna |
Kia ora, my name is Donna Railey and I am the manager of Kowhai Kids Educare, Warkworth.
I have been a part of the Kowhai Kids family since 2009 and teaching in early childhood
since 2002.
I have a Bachelor of Education ECE and Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology. I live in Wellsford with my husband Matt and our two little girls, Kyla and Malia, who both attend Kowhai Kids. I love the lifestyle we have in Rodney and as a family we enjoy spending time outdoors, especially at the beach or farm in Pakiri. I also enjoy dance, music, reading, baking, gardening and spending time with friends. I am very passionate about providing children and families with the best quality care we can and feel privileged to be a part of each child's early years. I truly look forward to meeting you and your family and working together to help your child learn and grow. |
| Denise |
Kia OraHi, I'm Denise Oyler. I have lived in Warkworth for the past 7 years with my partner Tony. My wonderful family consists of two daughters, Megan and Kylie, and five fun grandchildren, plus Tony's two daughters Gina and Debbie, and son Brett. I love cooking for the children and it means so much when you get a big thank you and friendly smile from them. I also enjoy meeting and the new Mum’s and Dad’s and working with this enthusiastic team. Being at Kowhai Kids for the past 4 years has been a great experience, particularly sharing something each day with the fabulous children at the centre. As a teachers aid, my day is very full of doing this or fixing that or whatever needs attending to! I also enjoy meeting all the Mums and Dads, and working with the enthusiastic team at Kowhai Kids. |
| Philippa |
Hi I'm Philippa and I started with the wonderful Kowhai Kids in February 2009. Myself and my family have made the move up to the Rodney area from Auckland for the great lifestyle. I have two boys who are at school and loving every moment up here. My husband and I have also set up a security business to keep us busy. I have worked in early childhood for 18 years in a variety of capacities. After a few years break, then a year in a primary school, I have decided to come back to early childhood and am now re-training for my degree. I have a great passion and desire to support children in their early development and love to see all the great strides they make in their learning. I feel family is the most important influence in a child’s life and know that it can be a struggle at times to be a parent, which is why I am so passionate about supporting families in their journey as a parent and feel that we should all work together to support a child to become well rounded individuals. In my spare time (which is none really) I enjoy fishing, horse riding and spending good quality time with my family. I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you better. |
| Gina |
Hi my name is Gina Resulta. I graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
(psychology major) and have a certificate in Pre-school Education from the Philippines Normal
University. I have completed my full teacher registration in New
Zealand.I have been teaching for over 15 years. My background is Montessori and Progressive Learning. My interests are reading inspirational books, baking and playing badminton. As a whole I love teaching, and would like to reach out to more children. Knowing that I will be an instrument of learning in a child's life gives me a great sense of fulfilment. I look forward to meeting you at Kowhai Kids. |
| Sarah |
My name is Sarah Roberts. I have lived in this wonderful area for
over 23 years now.
I attended Matakana Primary as well as Mahurangi College. I have completed a level 5 certificate in Early Childhood Education through the Ashton Warner Nanny Academy. Whilst I was studying there, I was lucky enough to complete my practicum assessments here at Kowhai Kids, which lead me to come back here as a parttime reliever after I graduated in Oct '10. I am now here fulltime and I am greatly enjoying working in such a fun, bubbly environment, with our amazing children and enthusiastic teachers. I am enrolled to continue my ECE degree in July 2012. I currently live in Omaha Flats with my partner Regan, and my 17 year old dog, Rat. My hobbies include fishing, boating, camping, wakeboarding, most sport and outdoor recreation, baking, cooking, photography, reading and gardening. I look forward to meeting you and your children and helping them on their journey of learning and exploration here at Kowhai Kids. |
| Janne |
Hi name is Janne.
I started working at Kowhai Kids at the beginning of May 2011. I am from Germany and immigrated to New Zealand five years ago to live with my Kiwi partner Brendan, whom I met many years ago on a remote island in Thailand. We settled in Point Wells with our dog Molly and I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and beach-living so very different from how I grew up. Besides being qualified as a teacher in Germany, I also am a qualified New Zealand Primary and Early Childhood teacher. I enjoy getting the rewards from building strong relationships with the children and hope I can make a positive contribution to their learning and development. I am looking forward to meeting you and your child and to share some ideas and learning goals. |
| Michelle |
My name is Michelle Wewege. I am originally from South Africa and have been living in New Zealand for the last fours years. I am married to Dale (a police officer in Wellsford) and have 3 children, Diego (18), Amy (16) and Liam (12).
We live in Wellsford on a lifestyle block and I spend most of my spare time taking care of our animals. In South Africa I owned two Educare Centres for 6 years. My first year in New Zealand I worked for PORSE then I joined Kowhai Kids in 2010. I have now decided to start studying towards my Early Childhood Degree and have enrolled at NZTC to begin my studies in February 2012. I look forward to meeting you and spending time with your children. |
| Danielle |
 Kia ora everyone, my name is Danielle Jonas. I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching for the past 7 years.
I feel privileged to be a teacher and find it very rewarding. Working with children has been a passion of mine since I was very young. I love working alongside young children, supporting them and extending them to discover the world around them. I will be working in The Nest four days a week and I’m really excited to be back working with Under Two’s. I look forward to getting to know you and your children. |
| Sarah |
 Hi my name is Sarah Hastie.I have just recently moved to Warkworth after living in Mangawhai for three years. I am primary trained and am studying towards my ECE degree this year. I have been working in Early Childhood for the past two years. I have also taught in the United Kingdom for two years while doing my O.E and visiting a range of different countries. I have a mischievous son named Harvey who also attends Kowhai Kids with me, and my partner Daniel commutes to Auckland where he works as a paver.I have a mischievous son named Harvey who also attends Kowhai Kids with me, and my partner Daniel commutes to Auckland where he works as a paver. I am enjoying my time at Kowhai Kids and getting to know and learn from all your children and look forward to meeting you all.I am enjoying my time at Kowhai Kids and getting to know and learn from all your children and look forward to meeting you all. |