Our Centre Manager
Ata
I have three grown up children; two daughters and a son. I am the very proud grandmother of one grandson, Riley, who will be three in May. I grew up and did all my schooling in Kaikohe and left the district after finishing college. I returned to Kaikohe 12 years ago.
I am passionate about all things family orientated. I have a large extended whānau and my interests centre around family, their well being, and encouraging them to take any opportunities open to them.
I have been involved in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for 28 years. With my children, we become involved in Playgroups, the Playcentre Movement and Kindergarten. When my children moved on to school, I continued working within Playcentre. I moved on and spent time delivering “Parents as First Teachers Programme,” then worked with special needs children in Early Childhood centres, before completing a Bachelor of Education in 2007.
My initial move into early childhood education was sparked by wanting to have my own children have every opportunity to develop skills and knowledge and to explore things around them. I enjoy working alongside young children and encouraging them to be creative and express themselves to enable them to reach their potential.
Ata Witana,
Centre Manager