Amy Fraser

Owner/Manager
​BA in ART; Post Grad. Teaching (Primary)
Full Registration
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Kia ora whanau and ākonga (learners), my name is Amy Fraser. I have recently purchased what was called Kids Express and what is now Pineapples Early Learning Centre. I have had the pleasure of working in ECE for over 7 years and have always had the passion to purchase my own centre. I have managed 2 centres prior to this exciting new venture and 2016 I gave birth to a baby girl that now brings my grand total of beautiful and confident daughters to three. My determination and drive for the best outcomes of children lead me down the path of Early Childhood and now centre ownership.

My purpose in my career as an educator of tāmariki (children), is to support, nurture and develop the learning of all ākonga. I am passionate about ensuring that ALL tāmariki have the opportunity to access an early childhood environment and mātauranga (education). I strongly believe that what we do everyday is the foundation for their future learning before they progress to their primary school. With the assistance of the kaiako (teachers) here at Pineapples we have created a warm, caring, nurturing and supportive environment for our tāmariki, so that they all feel safe and loved, while learning and growing.

We live and work in a diverse community of varying beliefs, cultures and upbringings, whose tāmariki don’t always have the same advantages as others. So my team and I strive every day to be educators that encourage our learners to aim higher and achieve more. We encourage Whānau and the wider community to be a part of the centre and play a role in the education of their tāmariki.  Our role as Kaiako is to unlock the potential and passions of our children to give them a strongest start possible for their futures. My teachers are continuously going above and beyond their roles as ECE educators for our tāmariki in their learning and life journeys. With their well-being nurtured, our ākonga can concentrate on the business of learning. All our children are unique, they all come from different backgrounds and cultures. We teach all our children to cherish their own individuality and identity, while teaching them to respect that of others.
 
Early childhood education is all about how you feel, what you see and what you hear. We all aspire to want our ākonga leaving our centre to have the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence to make the transition to primary school easy and to ensure that our tāmariki are equipped to be life-long learners. As a collective of educators we work tirelessly everyday to make this happen for all our tamariki.

Lauren Ashford-White

Totara (Under 2's) Team Leader
BA in Teaching (ECE)
Full Registration

My name is Lauren Ashford-White and I’m a new teacher joining the team. I am a qualified and fully registered teacher and will be the team leader of the under 2’s when it is up and running. I studied my Bachelor of teaching at Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. I’m looking forward to the changes happening here and am very excited about the new area being built. Before coming here, I previously worked with toddlers ages 2-3half and before that I was an under 2’s teacher. I have worked with all ages over the years and LOVE what I do. I have just moved up from Tauranga and have only been in Auckland for a month, which makes me very new to the area. I love adventures and going out for brunch and I really enjoy a good cuppa tea, so if you have any recommendations of excellent cafes or restaurants to visit please don’t hesitate to share them with me. If you have any other questions, please come over and introduce yourself, I look forward to getting to know you and your child.

Lara Williams

Kauri (Over 2's) Team Leader
BA in Education (Early Years)
Full Registration
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My name is Lara and I have a Bachelor of Education ECE from Massey University, I have full registration. I have been working for Kids Express, now Pineapples Early Learning since January 2009.  I have a husband and 3 exceptional children that are all involved in the performing arts in some way.  I became interested in early childhood education without even realising what was happening I was only 10 years old at the time!  My desire was reignited when I had my first child and became a blazing fire when I had my 2nd so at this point I decided to go to university to get my degree.  Through having my own children I have developed a passion for children with additional needs and also those that have special abilities.

Sinco Chiu

Teacher
Grad Dip. of Teaching (ECE)
​Full Registration

My name is Sinco Chiu and I have recently joined the team of wonderful teachers here at Kids Express with my little girl Audrey.  I completed my qualification from the University of Waikato, and I am now a qualified and fully registered teacher. Before coming here, I have worked in a Reggio-Emilia inspired centre and a mixed age centre, I love supporting children on their learning journey and following their interests. I am originally from Taiwan. I moved to New Zealand when I was 11 with my family and I grew up in Hamilton. I also have a strong musical background and I am passionate about bringing music into my daily teaching practices. I would love to get to know all of you and your child, so please don’t hesitate to come and talk to me any time! Kia ora.

Natasha Legge-Murray

Teacher
BA in Teaching (ECE)
Provisionally Registered
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Kia ora, ko Natasha Legge-Murray tāku ingoa. I am a student, studying a Bachelor of Teaching- Early Childhood at Unitec. My passion for early childhood education has been a result of my upbringing. I am the eldest grandchild of a large family and have always taken on the role of looking after the younger children. I love watching children’s confidence grow and their learning theories involve as they change and discover the world around them. In my spare time I enjoy, reading, baking, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Emma O'Sullivan

Relief & Student Teacher
Teacher in Training (Open Polytechnic - 2nd Year)
Non-Registered
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Kia Ora,
My name is Emma O’Sullivan and I am a relieving teacher at Pineapples Early Learning Centre. I am currently working towards a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education with the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and I can’t wait to finish and become a fully qualified teacher. I have two incredible daughters aged 8 and 5 who sparked my passion for Early Childhood Education. I began my Early Childhood Education journey through Swanson Playcentre, where my children and I spent a total of 8 years. I have a strong passion for education in outdoor settings where children are free to explore the natural environment, learn from real life experiences and optimize their learning and development. I love working cooperatively with children and helping them to build confidence and reach their own personal goals. I feel privileged to work alongside all the amazing teaching staff at Pineapples Early Learning Centre and look forward to meeting all the amazing Whānau and Tamariki who are part of this great learning community, please feel free to come and talk to me anytime.

Allan Boere

Teacher
Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
​Provisionally Registered

Kia ora, ko Allan tāku ingoa, I have recently joined the amazing team here at Pineapples early learning centre. I have had an awesome adventure working in ECE for 6 years now and have recently completed a Graduate Diploma of teaching at New Zealand Tertiary College. I have a passion or sport and spent many years coaching all ages prior to teaching, this is where my passion for working with children grew seeing and sharing in their achievements or just enjoying play through sport. I enjoy getting active at the children’s level and empowering learning through play. My son Malachi will be joining us in the under 2s, a big thank you to everyone for welcoming my whanua and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Sophie Crawley

Steph Laycock

Natasha Tilley

My name is Tash, I am a wife and mother to three beautiful children with my youngest also part of the Pineapples family. I am a qualified and registered teacher with 10 years experience. I am an enthusiastic and passionate teacher who quickly forms strong bonds with the children. I believe these bonds and the relationships with both children and Whanau are the key to all powerful learning.
My teaching philosophy is based on the value of incorporating hands on authentic learning such as exploring and connecting through play with a particular interest in loose parts and other open-ended resources. 
I am so passionate about children experiencing a natural environment with nature and animals so I am so excited to be able to join the Pineapples team and to learn alongside your children in an environment that provides opportunities to explore in such a large outside area with real grass, trees, gardens and animals.
I look forward to getting to know you and your children.

Angela Laurie

Teacher
Teacher in Training
Non-Registered

​I’m Married with three sons aged 17, 18 and 21.  Both my husband Gary and myself are born and raised in West Auckland, we now live in the older area of Riverhead, where we have raised our boys.I have worked in early childhood for three and a half years, spending time within the two and three year old rooms and in a mixed aged centre running the outside area in a montessori learning environment.  Prior to entering into early childhood I had experience within the scout foundation, helping train a junior rugby team and worked alongside a behavior optometrist doing exercises which help prepare the eyes for learning to read and write. My hobbies are arts and craft and in my spare time I enjoy kayaking and sailing.  My goal now is to return to study to complete my Batchelor of education.

Casey Powell

​Casey has been employed at Pineapples as a support Kaiako for our Under 2’s Kauri teachers, as well as supporting the over 2’s teachers when and if needed. Although currently unqualified she brings with her an unwavering passion for working with young children. With 2 young children of her own (Levi and Addison) Casey brings with her plenty of life experience and will be commencing her ECE training in 2020.
We welcome Casey to the Pineapples family and we look forward to working closely with her.