Home Based Educators

Hi, my name is Chrystal and I am a Homebased Educator with Wild Things. I live in Abbotsford with my husband Colin and our 3 beautiful children, Jade, Chase and Amelia.

I have studied and completed my Certificate in Early Childhood Practice and I strive to incorporate my learning throughout my programme. I consider myself a lifelong learner, just as my children are! I really enjoy working with children and watching them grow, learn, and gain confidence in themselves.

I believe in in the philosophy of “learning through play”. With this in mind, I offer a range of indoor activities for those cold Dunedin days, and plenty of outdoor play as well. Our section is fully fenced where children can enjoy the general outdoor environment on a daily basis. Along with outings to parks, we also take daily walks around Abbotsford, attend Wild Things playgroups on a weekly basis, and enjoy exploring the Wallace Street Reserve/Town Belt area along with our Wild Things friends. We also take the time to visit other Educators in their homes to support the children’s’ growing social skills.

My door is always open for enquiries. Feel free to pop in. I look forward to meeting you and your children!

Welcome, my name is Janine and I love the philosophy and practice of Homebased education and care!

My home offers a warm, loving, caring environment where your child will be nurtured and given every opportunity to grow and to develop independence. I encourage children’s strengths and encourage their growth and development, both socially and physically. Every child is an individual and will be given the opportunity to learn and grow at their pace.

I also respect parent’s values and will support their aspirations for their children.

I love getting out and about to explore our community and environment. We attend local playgroups, music groups and like to take the bus to the library. There are plenty of trips to the local playgrounds.

In my home you will find love, warmth, respect and encouragement.

Whakawhetai koe hoki panui toku kotaha.

I come from a large Southland family and have two boys of my own. I have been with Wild Things for a number of years and I am passionate about my role as an educator and teacher. I love supporting children to grow, learn and develop, so they can be happy confident little people.

I offer a warm, welcoming home and learning environment, where children get to explore through play while engaging with a wide range of resources and activities to support their learning and development. I am passionate about numeracy and literacy skills in children and laying those important foundations in growing their readiness for school and have a range of materials to support this teaching and learning in children.

As a group we enjoy getting out and about in our local community, making connections with people, places and things through playgroups, music groups, town belt reserve and playdates with other educators.

I believe it is important for children to spend time in the outdoors, to explore nature and all that nature provides for us. I offer a fun welcoming back yard, where children have lots of physical space to move and explore freely.

Please feel welcome to come and visit my home and see if my space feels right for you and your child?

Hi, my name is Marian and I have been working with children and helping them to become confident and competent learners for over 20 years. I live on the bank of the Silverstream in Mosgiel which provides a natural nature play area to walk and explore.

I have a flat playing area outside with slides, climbing frame, scooters and bike’s which is fully fenced, child friendly and safe.

We also have a vegetable garden which I encourage the children to get involved in, where they can experience the satisfaction that comes from growing and caring for something over time, while observing the changing of the seasons.

In my programme I offer opportunities for creativity by providing a range of resources like craft and storytelling as well as a variety of play based toys and resources.

I love getting to know children and learning about their interests and responding to those interests through their play.

I enjoy the close relationships I have with my care families. I value and encourage parents to share their thoughts and ideas with me when planning for their child’s learning.

Parents and children are most welcome to come for visit and see my home-based setting.

Hi, I am Maureen. I am a mum to two boys, who have been brought up in the West Harbour area.

I love providing Home-Based education for children. I like children to feel relaxed, confident, and happy in my care. I enjoy teaching children of all different abilities as I view each child as unique and recognize they all learn at their own pace.

I have a fully fenced section and child-friendly home. All our excursions are in walking distance and local, which helps to foster strong connections within our community for the children in relation to people, places, and things. These real-life experiences are the best way for children to learn about our local environment and to the treasures within this space.

I have worked at the local school, Kindergarten and Holiday Afterschool Program in Port Chalmers. I am also a fully qualified swimming instructor for our local swim school, where I teach babies and young children how to be confident in water and learn to swim.

We spend a lot of time outside as I value the rich learning opportunities children gain from playing and exploring in the great outdoors. I encourage the children to learn and be creative through art, while using a range of medians to support this learning and believe getting messy is all part of being a child.

I welcome parents and families to come and visit my learning space.

My name is Moana, also known as Mo. I live with my husband Boot and our very friendly dog Roady. We have three grown up children who have all moved into their own spaces now, and several grandchildren who love to share their daily lives with us and are often visiting or staying over.

I have previously worked for both Barnardo’s and Brockville School. I love working with children and am very happy to find myself back at work as a teacher in the Homebased education and care sector under the umbrella of Wild Things.

I believe my home and my programme offers a warm, friendly, stimulating, and enjoyable learning environment for children. With open and clear communication with parents, I know that together we will create fun-filled dynamic educational learning experiences for the children in my care. I support children to learn through their play, whether they are inside or outside. I nurture them throughout this important time of personal growth, so they can become lifelong learners and be ready for their journey through school.

I love being creative with crafts and enjoy providing challenging and exciting resources for children to explore and experiment with. I offer outings in my programme so my care children can enjoy the company of other Wild Things children while developing and growing their social skills. I attend Wild Things Playgroup and Let’s Get Moving most weeks, (this is often dependent on how the children are, and I will take into consideration if a child is too sleepy, or needing a quiet day at home). Other excursions are based around my community such as the library and the local park.

If you feel you would like to call in for a chat and a coffee, please feel free. The door is always open.

Kia Ora, my name is Olivia, I have been a Wild Things home based educator for over 5 years, helping children become confident and competent learners.

I enjoy the dynamic home-based learning setting, filled with experiences with people, places and things. Each day is as different, exciting, and as unique as your child. With the small ratio, I am able to cater for each child as an individual, listening and responding to their needs.

My home-based early learning setting is an inviting dedicated play area, with an indoor/outdoor flow, that is easily adapted for all ages and stages of your child’s development. I provide a rich learning programme that empowers children to learn and grow through play-based learning, usually child led.

My passion with early learning is fostering creativity in children through arts and crafts. I am interested in adding loose parts to my program to extend children’s imaginative play. Your child will be able to build on their strengths and interests while forming friendships.

Parents, you are a part of your child’s journey, your inspirations, aspirations, and engagement are welcomed. You will be kept updated with my program and your child’s learning with effective communication and using an online profile for your child.

Please message for more information and to arrange a visit. Pretend coffee and cake always on offer.

Hi, my name is Stef and I have been working with children and helping them to become confident and happy learners for over 17 years. I love my role as a home-based educator. I am very family orientated and focus on ensuring that parents and children feel welcome in my home.

I take a fun, supportive approach to education. A typical day in my home starts off with lots of different areas of play and learning set up so the children can choose what they would like to do when they arrive. I offer a full programme which is based on each child’s individual interests and strengths, encouraging them in all areas of the curriculum inside and out. I offer a transition to school programme when children turn 4 years of age.

Most mornings the children and I would head out to activities like music, playgroup, a museum visit, the Edgar Centre, gym, or library. Afternoons are based around learning and having fun with maths, games and puzzles, reading and for the older children writing. There is plenty of time for outdoor activities, such as bush walks, playgrounds, and parks. If it is a wet day, indoors activities might include making obstacle courses, getting into a craft project or having a go at baking. With a good balance between learning and free play, my programme helps children to thrive and feel ready to take the next step onto school.

I look forward to meeting with you and your child.

I live in Port Chalmers and I love the close community feel and all the nature that surrounds us here. Having worked in ECE for 7 years I love the positive relationships that this field offers.
I believe in nature and nurture for your little ones and for children to learn through child lead learning and creativity to expand their minds, knowledge and skills.  I'm a very kind and caring soul and I love the psychology behind ECE.  I offer an open, caring environment for in my Home Based setting.   Establishing routines and structure for my space, I enjoy working within a Rudolf Steiner/Montessori way of play and learning. 
I look forward to meeting you and your family.