About Us

Kia ora, Malo e lei lei, Gidday, Bonjour, my name is Kim, and I’m the owner/manager of Nature Preschool. Born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, as a preschooler, I lived in Clive before moving to Twyford. I have worked in early childhood for over 15 years in various teaching, leadership, management and mentoring roles in centres based in Tauranga and Auckland. Over the past four years, I have been supporting teaching teams, mentoring and coaching new teachers, and developing and promoting learning more about Nature-based learning and forest kindergartens. I believe that Nature plays an important part, and even has an anchoring effect, in our lives. We must ensure that we respect, restore and look after our environment to ensure that future generations can live and prosper off the land.

Along with our amazing and close-nit teaching team, Nature Preschool has two guinea pigs (Harris and Paris), a pet bird (Rocky), and our three goldfish. Having animals at the centre, and visiting local animals on our nature walks, helps our children to develop empathy, responsibility and awareness of all life within our environment.

Our established fruit trees and vegetable gardens provide healthy food for our morning and afternoon teas. Caring for our community is also something important to us, so any extra food is donated to the local ‘sharing box’.

We value open, honest and trusting relationships with our children and whānau who attend Nature Preschool. Relationships with our community and our environment help to guide our program.