I am the Managing Director of Beginnings & Beyond. I am a qualified fully registered Early Childhood Teacher with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor in Teaching and Learning. I have vast experience in the Early Childhood sector through Playcentre (held centre, association, regional positions), Kindergarten and past Council member of Te Tari Puna Ora O Aotearoa - New Zealand Childcare Association.

I established our first Beginnings & Beyond centre in Gravatt Road, Papamoa 29th January 2004 and our second centre in Papamoa Beach Road opens January 2011. Our centre philosophy/kaupapa is based around my own philosophy and pedagogical practices. As a Director I would like to ensure that our centre provides and maintains an effective quality learning environment for our children and tamariki, parents and whanau and teaching team.

Tena Koutou Katoa Ko Donna Emery toku ingoa. I have been teaching for approximately nine years, of which seven have been at Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool. I became qualified in 2007 gaining a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and in 2009 I became a fully Registered Teacher. I regularly attend Professional Development to enhance my learning, skills and professionalism and to continually provide up-to-date advice, learning and care for parents/whanau, tamariki and kaiako.

At present, I am the Supervisor of the centre and have held this position for the last two years. I enjoy working for Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool as it's kaupapa/philosophy is a reflection of my own beliefs and values. It also recognises the value of teaching Te reo Maori me nga Tikanga Maori, an important part of who I am.

Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool is a centre that enables me to continually develop new knowledge and skills that support the learning and development of tamariki.

"To tatou wa heke mai nei o tamariki"

"Children are our future"

Kia ora
Ko Kylie Wood toku ingoa

I have been working with tamariki for five years now, completing my Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) with the Canterbury University, graduating in 2009. I have been teaching at Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool for three years and love the whanau feeling of the centre and enjoy working with the centre's bi-cultural philosophy.

I am currently working towards my Teachers Registration, with one more year to go. I have a huge interest in professional development and enjoy keeping up with current research and information. This allows me to put my knowledge into professional practice while learning alongside tamariki.

I believe in empowering our tamariki to be confident, happy learners as they are our future.

Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Tauranga Moana
Ko Waitao te awa
Ko Kopukairoa raua ko Mauao oku Maunga
Ko Ngaiterangi raua ko Ngati Ranginui oku Iwi
Ko Ngapotiki raua ko Ngati He oku hapu
Ko Tamapahore raua ko Maungatapu oku Marae
Ko Pikitia Harawira toku ingoa
Tena koutou katoa,

I have been working in the early childhood industry for five years and have spent two years of this time here, at Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool. I am currently studying towards my Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching through Te Tari Puna Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association and have recently completed my second year. My daughter attends Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool with me and through this she has the opportunity to explore a mixed age centre environment. I take pleasure in working at Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool as I feel its philosophy reflects my beliefs and values in relation to learning and development and the importance of Te reo Maori me nga Tikanga Maori. I enjoy working in early childhood because each day is a new experience and I am continuously provided with opportunities to reflect on and strengthen my teaching practices.

"He aha to tatou a muri ake nei, He tamariki, He tamariki, He tamariki"

"What is our future? It is children. It is children. It is children."

Kia Ora,

I started teaching at Beginnings & Beyond Quality Preschool in January 2011 and feel honoured to be part of such a bi-cultural, whanau focused centre.

Throughout my learning journey as a parent of four and a professional educator my passion for people, culture and diverse needs has strengthened and is evident through my teaching practice. I have completed a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with New Zealand Tertiary College. I have 11 years of experience in the early childhood sector in a range of roles.

I am a teacher with the upmost passion for people and love all aspects of working in partnership with families/whanau, and children enhancing children's learning opportunities by way of nurture and empowerment.

I believe every child is a gift and deserves the very best start in life and the right to grow and develop at their own individual pace, where their cultural needs are respected and nurtured. Also where children can feel the magic and excitement of being a child, and explore the magical experience of make believe and creativity in their own individual way.

I look forward to working alongside you and your tamariki/child.

Kia Ora my name is Alisa Douglas and I have lived in Papamoa for eight years. I have three amazing children who have inspired me on my journey to become an Early Childhood Teacher.

I am passionate about creating an environment where children have the opportunity to explore with activities and equipment that enrich and stimulate their imagination and enable them to learn and develop in their own unique way.

I enjoy literacy and believe for children to succeed in life they need to gain an enjoyment of words. I like to do this through singing, reading, dramatic play and just talking and listening with the children.

I look forward to working at Beginnings & Beyond with a wonderful team and cannot wait to inspire children to achieve to their full potential.

Kia ora koutou ko Mandy Henderson ahau.
I am from Te Puke originally but have lived in Papamoa for the last ten years. I live with my partner Tony and two sons Eli (10) and Noah (6) who attend Tahatai Coast School. I’m in my first year of my degree, studying through Te Tari Punna Ora o Aotearoa at the Whakatane base. In my spare time I play roller derby and am part of the Mount Militia roller derby crew which is like another family to me. I am really enjoying working with your children and looking forward to spending time with your tamariki at Beginnings and Beyond Quality Preschool. Tamariki are our future and we need to nurture them to help them grow into competent and confident young people. Thank you for your time
nō reira tēnā koutou tēnā koutou tēnā tatou katoa.

Kia Ora
My name is Toni Thorne. I am originally from Rotorua and moved to Mount Maunganui two years ago. My partner Kyle and I have a beautiful daughter Kyla who is in the ruma teina.
I have completed a Diploma of Teaching through Te Tari Ora o Aotearoa/NZ Childcare Association. I have had eight years experience teaching in the early childhood sector and have been fortunate to have had many different roles throughout my career.
As a teacher and parent I strongly believe children learn and obtain knowledge through doing things they enjoy and having fun.
Teaching and learning are my great passions and here at Beginnings and Beyond I can do both. I look forward to meeting all the tamariki and their whanau. It is going to be fun working alongside each other.

Kia Ora Kautou.
I am Sarah and I have been living here in the Bay of Plenty for 12 years now after moving from Ashburton with my Mum, Dad and little sister. I am now a mother of two and they keep me very busy. I am currently studying for my Diploma in Early Childhood Education through Canterbury University and have entered into my third year and I am very excited to be able to learn alongside your children and you.