Having the right staff was the other area that was super important to me. Without happy motivated staff, it doesn’t matter what their qualifications are, they can’t do their job properly. That is why we have more staff than we need and we invest in their continued child care learning. A team who actually want to come to work will consistently give their very best to the children in their care.
Centre Owner and Manager
I have had an affinity with children for as long as I can remember. Straight from school I gained my diploma in Childcare from The Princess Christian College in England and later, a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education from Leeds University.
During the 20 years I have spent working with children, I have been fortunate enough to work in a variety of settings in England, Europe and NZ. I have been a live in nanny, an in home educator and worked in different types of centres. I am also Mummy to 3 children aged 3, 5 and 7 and that has brought a whole new wealth of learning and understanding with it!
I emigrated to NZ with my kiwi hubby, Jamie, back in 2007 and am so proud to have called Papamoa home for all of that time. This is such a wonderful place and we are so excited to be part of its growth as the owners and managers of The Blue Cottage as well as members of its community.
I am thrilled to now be able to gather the best bits from all my experiences to fulfill a life-long dream to open my own centre and provide excellent quality care for all the children, families and staff who become part of The Blue Cottage family. You will see me at the cottage every day in my role as Manager and I’m always happy to have a chat and help you in any way that I can. The Blue Cottage is so much more than a childcare centre, it’s a place of family and community and I’m privileged to be part of it.
Centre owner and maintenance man
As a father of 3 young children I am still taking the same journey as you are.
I have done the first day at child care, done the tearful drop-offs and manic pick-ups, signed the accident diary and dropped everything at work to go and pick up my sick child. This is all a part of the road through parenthood and something you are entrusting us to help with.
Choosing child care for your child is an incredibly personal decision with so many facets to consider. The relationships between us, the staff, your child and you will ultimately determine if The Blue Cottage is the right fit for your family. That’s why we place the whole Blue Cottage community at the forefront of our childcare business. It is that important.
As the co-owner of The Blue Cottage childcare centre, I will be providing a supporting role to Jo and our staff from an operational perspective. I also take the lead in the practical side of facilities management and I’m the extra pair of hands whenever needed. I will be a part of the furniture here at the Blue Cottage and you will probably see me at drop-offs or pick-ups under a pile of children all wanting horse rides and helicopter spins.
I have recently moved out of the manufacturing industry to work with a private training establishment. I design, develop and deliver training courses into schools and the private sector. So, although I am not teaching at an early childhood education level I know I have fantastic transferable skills to support The Blue Cottage Community.
Kia ora my name is Courtney
I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher.
I moved to the beautiful Bay of Plenty from Hamilton in 2016. I am passionate about infants and have been working with them for 5 years
In my spare time I enjoy photography, crafts, music and attending my local church.
Kia ora my name is Millie.
I have lived in Papamoa since 2018, and am currently studying Early Childhood Education at Te Rito Maioha. On the weekends I enjoy socialising with friends, cooking, surfing, and hiking. Kia
Kia ora my name is Abbey.
I joined The Blue Cottage as a qualified and registered Early Childhood Teacher in March. I have been living in Tauranga for the past 10 years and treasure what beautiful landscapes, beaches and communities we have here. When I have spare time I am with my friends and family, cooking for one another, going for bush walks and getting crafty.
Kia ora my name is Louisa.
I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher.
I moved from Auckland to Papamoa after lockdown. In my spare time I enjoy drawing, art, the beach, cooking and have an interest in health and wellbeing
Kia ora my name is Skye.
I moved to Papamoa in December 2019 from Wellington. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, relaxing at the beach and spending time with friends and family
Kia ora my name is Robyn.
Robyn is on Maternity Leave
Kia ora My name is Pikitia,
I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher.
I am a mother of 3 children Manaia, Paatua and Tyla. I have lived here in Tauranga Moana all my life. I started working at The Blue cottage in April 2018. In my spare time I love to relax with family.
Kia Ora, my name is Lauren
I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher.
I have lived here in Papamoa since I was 5 years old. I started working at the Blue cottage in January 2019. In my spare time I love to take my dog for walks along the beach.
Kia Ora, my name is Jess
I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher.
I moved to Tauranga with my family when I was 16 years old. I started working for The Blue cottage in November 2017. In my spare time I love to read, study, and spend time with my niece Indy and nephew Nico.
Kia Ora, my name is Madeline
I have been living in Papamoa for 2 years. I started working at The Blue cottage in February as a reliever and I am now a permanent teacher in the Tipa room. In my spare time I love to go to the beach and road trip around New Zealand.
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Kia Ora my name is Caitlin
I am a qualified and registered teacher which I studied after falling in love with ECE while finishing my Psychology degree. Any spare time I have is spent mucking around with all my plants, walking my family dogs and reading.
Kia Ora, my name is Monique
I have lived in Tauranga all my life. I started at The Blue Cottage in January 2019. I have 5 children of whom my youngest attends in the Paua room with me. In my spare time I enjoy being crafty, doing woodwork and being with family.
Kia Ora my name is Dani
I grew up in Maketu and moved to Papamoa in 2018.
I started at The Blue Cottage as a student on placement in October 2019 and love the place from then!!
Outside of the Cottage you will find me at the beach, drinking coffee or spending time with my whanau and friends
Kia Ora my name is Emmamay
I have lived in the same house in Papamoa all my life. I have been at The Blue Cottage since April 2018. In my spare time I am a volunteer firefighter and I live quite an active life.
Kia Ora, my name is Kath
My husband, 3 children and I have loved living in Papamoa for the past 13 years. I have been with The Blue Cottage since August 2019. When I am not at The Cottage I will usually be crafting away at something and spending time with my family and friends.
Kia Ora, my name is Mary
I grew up in Auckland and moved to Rotorua a few years ago and have 2 amazing tamariki. My son lives in Taranaki and my daughter is with me. I have been a qualified teacher for many years and love learning and growing alongside the tamariki.
Kia Ora, my name is Kate
I have recently moved to Papamoa with my husband and little girl Lyla. I am a qualified primary school teacher and love working with children of all ages.
Kia Ora my name is Rebecca
Rebecca is on Maternity Leave
Kia Ora, my name is Aileen
Centre Administrator
Kia Ora, I am Aileen and I am The Blue Cottage’s centre Administrator. I am from a teaching background and have been a Qualified and Registered Early Childhood Educator for the previous 13 years but was ready for a change and new challenge.
I have 2 daughters who attend Papamoa Primary School, ages 8 and 5
My door is always open and if there is anything I can help you with please don’t hesitate to ask, phone or email
Kia Ora my name is Robbi..
I have been living in Papamoa since 2003 when I moved home from Melcourne. My children are all grown up now, 17 and 19 years old. I enjoy cooking and baking, walking, reading cook books and photography. I have been with The Blue Cottage since August 2019 in the kitchen and absolutely love it