I am a qualified and experienced home-based educator, based in the Hutt Valley, Wellington. I have been an educator for 25 years, welcoming many children and their whānau into my home. I love to see the children grow and thrive as a result of home-based experiences and my programme.
I am available Monday-Friday, 7.30am-5.30pm.
I currently have a Monday-Friday space for an under or over-2-year-old (full-time hours).
Love, relationships, well-being, respect and learning are central to my philosophy.
Every child is valued and will receive love in my care. I build trusting relationships with parents and the children. I ensure that children are settled, rested, comforted and cared for.
Every child deserves respect and receives it in my care, as well as learning how to respect others. I provide positive learning experiences each and every day.
I live in Waterloo, Lower Hutt.
My home is welcoming with an abundance of resources to support learning and development and to help children learn through play.
I support the children's emerging interests with resources and outings. They enjoy construction and block play, puzzles, music, crafts and books. Outside we enjoy playing with the sandbox and toys, bikes, the slide and engaging in water play fun.
I hold the National Certificate in Early Childhood (Level 4) and I have a current first-aid certificate. I have also completed a number of other relevant professional development courses such as a Te Ao Māori, music, loose parts and learning story workshops, transition to school, child protection and asthma education.
Deidre looked after our daughter Willow from 10 months to 15 months old. We were so impressed with how quickly Willow settled into care with Deidre. Deidre helped ensure a smooth transition from Mummy to in-home care by taking the time to understand Willow’s personality and what she liked/didn’t like. It wasn’t long before Willow was jumping out of our arms and into Deidre’s.
In the five months that Willow was in Deidre’s care we never once had a time where she cried when we dropped her off in the morning. We would knock on the front door and wait for Deidre to arrive, and when she did Willow would greet her with a big smile and a big wave. We only left Deidre’s in-home care because we’re moving overseas. If we weren’t moving, we would have stayed until Willow was ready to start school.
Deidre’s in-home care was such a wonderful transition both for Willow and for us as a family. It is hard leaving your baby with someone else, even more so when they’re as attached as our little Willow, but Deidre really put our minds at ease by forming a lovely connection with Willow almost immediately.
Thank you, Deidre, for everything you have done for our family, we will appreciate it forever.