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Amy Fraser
Owner/Manager
BA in ART; Post Grad. Teaching (Primary) Full Registration 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. |
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Sinead AndersonKauri (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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Jasmine PlowrightTotara (Under 2's) Team Leader
BA in Teaching (ECE) Full Registration |
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Lara WilliamsKauri (Over 2's) Whanau Liaison / Health & Safety Co-ordinator
BA in Education (Early Years) Full Registration 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. |
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Natasha GedyeTotara Room (under 2's) Teacher
BA in Teaching (ECE) Provisionally Registered Kia Ora, My name is Natasha and I am one of the teachers in the Totara room (under 2's). I have been at Pineapples since Amy bought the centre in June 2018 and was originally teaching the over 2's children. I married my high school sweetheart in 2019 and later that year we had our first baby, Xavier. I have a bachelors in teaching (ECE) from Unitec, finishing my degree in December 2018. My passion for early childhood, is a result from my upbringing where I am the eldest cousin out of 21 and often spent my time looking after my younger family members. My philosophy is about building children's self esteem and following their interests and working theories. I enjoy watching children grow into confident and capable learners and follow the principles and strands of our bicultural curriculum Te Whariki. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and spending my time baking, reading and listening to music, where I live to incorporate this into my teaching when I can. I look forward to meeting you, your child/ren and whānau. |
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Emma O'SullivanTotara Room (Under 2's) Teacher in Training
Teacher in Training (Open Polytechnic - 3rd Year) Non-Registered 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. |
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Laila WaruTotara Room (Under 2's) Teacher & Reliever
Non Registered |
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Casey PowellTotara Room (Under 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered 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. |
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Suzie CoatesKauri Room (Over's 2) Teacher
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Hayley SoarKauri Room (Over 2's) Teacher
Non-Registered Currently on Maternity Leave |
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Donna PurchaseKauri 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. |
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Katerina WoodsideKauri 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. |
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Emily GrayESW - 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. |
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Colleen HuntKauri (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor in Teaching (ECE) Provisional Registration Kia Ora everyone, I am Colleen and I will be joining the Pineapples team on the 6th July. I am a qualified teacher with 8 years’ experience. I believe that the most important part of teaching our young children is creating strong, trusting relationships where the children are comfortable to be themselves. I encourage children to challenge themselves and give everything a go. I strive to create a stimulating and nurturing environment where the main goal is to have lots of fun!!! I live locally in Massey with my Husband Chris and our three children Keira, Jay Jay and Ashton. I enjoy family time and the adventures that we have. I am a very social person and spending time with close friends is a big part of my life. |
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Jessica MasseyKauri (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Full Registration Kia ora everyone My name is Jess and I am part of the over 2’s team here at Pineapples. I live in Massey with my husband and two beautiful boys, Tommy and Jack. I love to spend time with my friends and family, especially being outdoors! I am a Primary trained registered teacher with 6 years experience and bring experience from both a Primary learning and over 2’s setting. I began working in early learning after having my first child and quickly came to love creating learning experiences through play and the care and relationships you are able to build with young children. I am also passionate about bridging the transition to school for our tamariki to ensure they are as ready as possible to start their school life. I look forward to getting to know our whanau better at Pineapples! |
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Milaan Scott-HartKauri (Over 2's) Teacher
Bachelor in Education (ECE) Provisionally Registered |
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Carolyn DawsonKauri (Over 2's) & Totara Room Teacher
Teacher in Training - 3rd Year Provisional Registration due: 2021 Hello, kia ora children, families and wider community of Pineapples Early Learning Centre. My name is Carolyn Dawson and I have been teaching early childhood education for eight years. I am currently studying my third year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with NZTC. My husband, son and I have just moved to the wonderful community of Swanson. I believe in quality care, and education for our children. That includes praise when a child needs it, therefore encourages confident learners. This can be provided through free play, rich and fun resource activities created by teachers that connect with a child’s learning interest. I recognise that every child is different and brings with them their cultures and way of learning from home. I am looking forward to meeting you all and building friendships. Arohanui, |
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Usha YadavKauri (Over 2's) & Totara (Under 2's) Teacher & Reliever
Teacher in Training Kia Ora, I am Usha Yadav and I have been working with Pineapples as a reliever since April 2019. I am a teacher in training and planning to study NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education with Open Polytechnic. An ECE Teacher plays a vital role in nurturing a Child’s mind and create a safe, playful environment. Young children are amicable to learn new things as they are curious about everything around them. I believe young minds can be encouraged to fulfil their dreams by developing a lifelong love of learning. We are a family of three – myself, my husband and our daughter Tarini . Gardening, reading, travelling and cooking new recipes are my most preferred things to do and also, I love to spend time with my family and friends. I feel motivated working in my current role at Pineapples with supportive staff and I am very much committed to pursue a career in ECE. |
Rose SherlockKauri (Over 2's) Teacher
Teacher in Training NZTC Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) |