Meet Our Dedicated Team at Kereru Kindergarten

At Kereru Kindergarten, we’re more than just an early learning centre; we’re a family-owned and operated establishment.

This sets the tone for the warm, welcoming atmosphere that your child will experience. We believe in providing authentic learning experiences in a “home from home” environment, where children can feel comfortable, secure, and inspired to explore.

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Our teaching team is the heart and soul of Kereru Kindergarten

Comprising highly experienced and qualified professionals, they are wholeheartedly dedicated to providing the very best learning experiences for your child. With a passion for early childhood development, they create an environment that nurtures not only academic growth but also social, emotional, and physical development.
At Kereru Kindergarten, we’re more than educators; we’re mentors, guides, and champions for your child’s growth and development. Join us in creating a bright and promising future for your little one. Explore our “home from home” environment and meet our exceptional team today.

Marie Anderson – Owner

Marie has a Diploma of Teaching and over twenty years’ experience in the primary and secondary education sector. In February 2022 she bought Kereru Kindy and loves it. For her the pleasure is in providing opportunities for tamariki to experience joy and happiness while receiving a good foundation on which to enter primary school.

She says she is most pleased by the level of excellence provided by the teachers in the kindy’s exciting programme, along with the character-filled nature of their facilities.

Marie has three adult children and six mokopuna (3 girls and 3 boys) who are aged one to eight years.In her free time, she likes to spend time with her whānau.

Carol Cook (Caz) – Centre Manager

Caz has twenty-six years’ experience as a Kindergarten Manager and has been working with Kereru Kindy since 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree Of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood).She loves her job working with people and children, while keeping a good eye out all-round to make sure things run smoothly. The relaxed environment at Kereru Kindy gives her great pleasure.

Caz has two children aged 30 and 33, and three grandchildren aged 11, 10, and 10. She enjoys music as a hobby and in her free time, likes to spend time with her family.

Kerri Thomas – Lead Teacher

Kerri is newly returned to Kereru Kindy after a five-year stint with us which ended in 2018. We’re delighted to have her back with 36 years of teaching experience and a Kindergarten Diploma from the Auckland College of Education. She loves working alongside the children on their learning journey and that every day brings something different to her work world, as well as being with old colleagues again who have themselves also grown and developed.

She has three boys, all of whom have left the nest – Camden (25), Lachlan (23), and Mason (21). Kerri has a passion for animals, but also very much enjoys woodwork, playing guitar and ukulele, as well as painting. In her free time you’ll find her doing domestic chores, or engaging with her sister, and her pets.

Nicola Tana – Teacher Aide

Nicola joined Kereru Kindy in 2023 and has three years’ previous experience as an Early Childhood Education reliever. She loves watching the children grow, and finds it rewarding and fun, to see them reach their milestones. She loves Kereru Kindy for its smaller size yet great atmosphere, and she’s tickled to be working with a great team and awesome tamariki.

Nicola has a sixteen-year-old son, Isaac, and enjoys walking in the bush and local parks, beach trips, and music (piano and ukulele). In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her family, supporting her husband’s band, and spending time outdoors.

Ricky-Lee McElwain

Ricky-Lee has worked with children at Kereru Kindy since 2021. She loves what she does, and the pleasure is in seeing the children having fun. But it isn’t just the youngsters who have fun in the environment they have created. So does she, and her colleagues.

Ricky-Lee has a seven-year-old daughter, Kyra. She enjoys arts, crafts, creating and the outdoors, and in her down time likes swimming, exploring, travelling, and taking Kyra out for activities.

Jaime Hayes

Jaime has been with Kereru Kindy since 2022, and really enjoys being with children in her working environment. The children with whom she works make her day a delight.

She has three children of her own, a girl (12) and two boys (10 and 8). She calls housework her hobby which is great because it means she enjoys it, but in her free time she likes to go swimming, take her kids out, go walking, gardening or catch a movie.

Marcia Wilson – Van Driver

Marcia has been driving and liaising with parents and children for Kereru Kindy since late 2020. Combined with her love of communicating with children and adults alike, the job she has now is ideal. She’s thriving in an environment in which she can meet and communicate with children, parents, and colleagues but her fire is really lit by seeing happy little children at the end of the day.

Marcia is mother to two young men (31 and 40), and enjoys music, art, beach-combing and a spot of fishing. In her spare time a trip to the bach, boating up the harbour, fishing and collecting kai moana hits the spot, along with spending time with friends.