Hi there

Thanks so much for taking some time to get to know us a bit better. We are a collective of local educators who are passionate about offering a diverse range of programs that nurture and enrich childhood. Each one of our educators have unique beliefs, values, and backgrounds that shape and inform their approach to early childhood education.

We invite you to take your time exploring the introductions of each of our educators. Delve into the unique qualities they offer and see how their commitment to care, attention and learning can enrich your child's experience. We hope you'll find that each one brings something wonderful to the table, helping your child grow and thrive in a nurturing environment.

Amanda Lumsden

Kia ora koutou, 

I am Whaea Amanda, a home based educator and kaiako   teacher in Lumsden, Southland. I have been working with tamariki all my life and have a passion for education and ensuring that there are equitable outcomes for all. I strongly believe in the importance of the first 1000 days of life and the role that high quality early childhood education plays in supporting tamaiti to be successful and life long learners.

My husband, Tama (Ngāti Porou) and I have been living in Lumsden for almost seven years with my three boys Sawyer, Finlay and Anakin who are all at College. We love the outdoors, relaxed lifestyle and opportunities that Southland offers and I enjoy providing home based education from my kāinga and in the local community for a range of learners. A fully registered teacher, my service is based on responding to individual needs and close partnerships with whānau   families and kaiako   teachers to support transitions into care, kindergarten and kura   school. 

I look forward to getting to know you and your tamariki!

Elitsa Hall

Hello! My name is Elitsa Hall, an American Paralympian turned Kiwi educator. I have called Wanaka home since 2009, where my husband Adam and I live with our beautiful five-year-old daughter, Gracelynn, and our two lively budgies, Bingo and Mustard. We absolutely love this community and enjoy the diverse activities that Central Otago has to offer, from skiing in the mountains during winter to water skiing on the lake in summer.

My passion for teaching stems from a deep desire to nurture young minds and foster a genuine love of learning. My approach focuses on creating positive and impactful interactions, aiming to empower each child to reach their full potential and build a solid foundation for future success. As an educator dedicated to growth and development, I strive to build meaningful connections with tamariki, their families, and the broader community. By establishing strong relationships with people, places, and things, I aim to create a supportive and enriching learning environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to explore, learn, and thrive.

I look forward to meeting you and your family and working together to continue building a better community for our children.

Heather McKenna

I value respectful relationships. They are at the centre of everything I do, the types of relationships I have with people and the value I place on them is fundamental to who I am as a person. The importance of the bonds and connections I have with people are what shape me, so in order to be the kind of teacher I want to be I think it is essential for me to build strong, responsive, reciprocal relationships with teachers, children, their whānau and the wider community. Through working together with the people in children’s lives I believe I am better equipped to help children reach their full potential.

I believe time spent with children, talking, observing and engaging, is where I will discover the greatest opportunities for ako to take place. In order to teach with passion I must continue to learn, as for me teaching is a journey. It is through working with children I hope to discover all the possibilities teaching has to offer me. I am conscious of appreciating every moment as an opportunity for teaching and learning and value the holistic way in which children learn and grow.

I view the natural environment as the greatest resource I have available to me as a teacher, offering endless opportunities to explore and create meaning. I believe by learning to respect and appreciate the environment we create a world that will afford the same opportunities for generations to come. As a teacher it is my hope to inspire the same passion for our environment in the children whose lives I am helping to shape.

 I am committed to developing my knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and learning the language of Te Reo Māori. It is important to me that I can share that knowledge with children and help them to develop an understanding of the cultural heritage of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education

Helen Wootton - On Maternity Leave

Hi, I'm Helen Wootton, and I'm passionate about nurturing children and supporting families in our community. I believe that caring, connected relationships are crucial for child development, with progress best achieved through play and at each child's own pace.

I became an early childhood educator to assist families returning to work, where childcare is limited. Embracing whanaungatanga, I aim to support parents and children, enhancing their sense of belonging and ensuring consistency in routines to support their well-being.

I value kind, respectful relationships with children and their families, ensuring that infants and toddlers feel happy and accepted in my care. I follow the Te Whāriki principle that children learn through responsive relationships and am committed to fostering warm connections, respecting and engaging with children, and supporting their exploration and development in line with Bowlby’s attachment theory.

Engaging with community activities is important to me. I appreciate how our iwi whānau collaborates to create stimulating environments, such as playgroups and cultural festivals, which support children's learning and development. I value being part of these experiences and seeing children benefit from diverse resources.

I’m dedicated to supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development, reflecting the theories of Pikler and Gerber. I take pride in celebrating each child’s achievements and strive for my own growth as an educator, staying updated with the latest research.

I look forward to getting to know you and your child and supporting your family’s journey.

Kaylee Watson

Being from a rural, farming back ground I absolutely love being outdoors. From experiencing this I believe that children enjoy learning in intimate, natural, holistic and home-like environments.

Through providing a respectful, calm, intimate, and patient response to children’s individual learning I believe they feel confident to freely utilise the environment in their own time and space.

I express a strong dedication towards early childhood education and feel connected to the philosophy’s of RIE and picker and believe these philosophies help shape who I am as an educator. I have a genuine passion for the under twos age group and value the importance of forming positive and respectful relationships with families, tamariki and colleagues. Through engaging in respectful conversations, I believe I can provide an authentic learning environment whereby children can feel confident with who they are and feel respected and happy in their learning experiences.

I strongly advocate for the rights of children by providing them with opportunities to be active participants in their own learning. Allowing children to express their voice and be present in their individual growth.

I aspire to sow seeds in children’s heart to promote equality, love, joy and empowerment.

Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education

Nicola Dyer

As an early years educator, I believe in the power of children’s voices. I honour their opinions, interests, and desires, creating learning environments that reflect their individuality and curiosity. By hearing their voices, I encourage children to shape their own learning journey, fostering confidence and a sense of belonging.

I am committed to growing and scaffolding learning through a collaborative approach—learning together, with, and from each other. I see learning as something that happens on many levels, from intellectual growth to emotional and social development, guided by our interactions and shared experiences.

I also value the profound connection between nature and learning. The outdoors offers a sensory-rich environment where we experience the calm of a lakeside, the stillness of a forest, the birdsong overhead, and the changing moods of the wilderness. Whether barefoot on the beach, feeling the warmth of the sun or the chill of a winter’s day, nature has the power to influence our well-being and expressiveness. These natural experiences provide children with opportunities to learn through their whole being—not just by seeing and hearing, but through feeling, moving, and working together.

My philosophy centers on creating beautiful, nature-rich learning experiences that nurture each child’s holistic development and foster a deep connection to the world around them.

Jeanette Fotheringham

Kia ora, I’m Jeanette Fotheringham, Founder and Director of Just Like Home. After years in the corporate early childhood education sector, I knew there had to be a better way for children to experience their early years. That’s why I founded Just Like Home— to create an approach that truly values genuine relationships and meaningful experiences for children, families and teachers.  I’m passionate about investing in our teachers’ professional growth so they can offer the highest quality care and support to every child.

For me, Just Like Home had to be a boutique service, dedicated to small, community-focused settings in Wanaka and Queenstown. Here, children explore the wonders of outdoor play, and families are welcomed into a service that prioritises authenticity, connection, and trust. Quality reallt is at the heart of everything I do.

Over the years, I have been involved in the Health & Social Service  and Educator Sectors, my experiences over this time included Policy Development Quality Assurance, Accreditation, Teaching, Centre Manager, Early Learning Advisor and now business owner, all the while gaining valuable experience in child development, leadership, mentoring and management.  It's been a crazy ride, and I wouldn't have it any other way, come along on this ride with me at Just Like Home, it's a whole heap of fun!