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.

Jasmine Plowright

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


Sinead Anderson

Kauri (Over 2's) Team Leader
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Full Registration

Kia Ora Whanau,
My name is Sinead Anderson and I will be joining the team here at Pineapples Early learning centre in September 2019.
I am a registered early childhood teacher and have over nine years’ experience working with Tamariki. During this time I have gathered knowledge around different areas of play and believe that children are always learning and growing.
I look forward to working with everyone and getting to know you all a little better.
Aroha mai 

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Lara Williams

Kauri (Over 2's) Whanau Liaison / Health & Safety Co-ordinator
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.

Natasha Legge-Murray

Totara Room (under 2's) 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

Totara Room (Under 2's) Teacher in Training
Teacher in Training (Open Polytechnic - 3rd Year)
Non-Registered
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Kia Ora,
My name is Emma O’Sullivan and I am a teacher in training here 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.

Steph Laycock

Kauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Full Registration

Natasha Tilley

Kauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Full Registation

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.

Sarah Smeets

Totara Room (Under 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered 

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Casey Powell

Totara Room (Under 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered
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​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.

Suzie Coates

Kauri Room (Over's 2) Teacher
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Alexandra Renall

Totara/Kauri Room Teacher in Training
NZTC - Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
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Hello, I am new to Pineapples - starting as a student teacher in January 2020. I discovered my passion for education while I was on a working holiday in Spain. I spent time volunteering in a room with children from ages 3 to 6 and loved it so much that when I returned to New Zealand I applied for a graduate diploma in teaching. Feel free to say hi at any time 😊

Hayley Soar

Kauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered

​Currently on Maternity Leave

Donna Purchase

Kauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
​Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)
Full Registration

Hello, my name is Donna Purchase. I am married and have three adult children, Adam, Peter and Kaitlin and two adorable grandchildren, Nathan and Hannah. I have been teaching in early childhood for the last 20 years and I still love it as much as I did when I started. 
My philosophy is that I believe that building a good, strong, respectful relationship with children is the first stepping stone to engaged learning. Children and their whanau are the most important part of my job, getting to know them, learning their likes and dislikes, their passions and aspirations. 
I also believe children deserve a beautiful, engaging environment and I endeavour to provide this by finding good resources and creating engaging learning areas. 

Katerina Woodside

Kauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
Full Registration

Kia ora tātou, my name is Katerina, I am a fully registered teacher, with a BEd in Teaching (Early Childhood) with a nearly completed Masters degree (Early Childhood). Learning, playing, reading, gardening, travelling, listening to and making music, being with my friends and family are some of my most favourite things. I am fluent in English and Russian and enjoy learning about various cultures around me. I have been living in West Auckland for 17 years and counting, with my husband, son and daughter, and now a kitten. 
 
I come to work every day happy to be working with the youngest tamariki, knowing that I am in the right place in life. Learning through play and in nature are at the core of my teaching philosophy, I aim to emphasise respect for individuality and the power of the collective in everything I do. I am hoping to make Pineapples my second home for years to come. 

Emily Gray

ESW - Education Support Worker
Totara Room (Under 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered

Ora whanau! My name is Emily. I have 2 children, Arlo-Paul and Isabella-Jayne. I enjoy art and crafts and thoroughly enjoy being outdoors. I am super excited to start this new journey doing something I am passionate about.
I believe children need stimulation and a safe environment where they feel comfortable to find themselves through play and learning. I cannot wait to create bonds with your children and work in a team to ensure your child has the best first years of their lives.