Our Team

We are proud of our team of dedicated teachers and support staff who are all passionate about teaching and learning.

Our Teaching Team

Nickie Hodgkinson

Centre Manager

I have been the Manager at Country Kids for over 18 years. I really enjoy teaching in a rural community centre and I am very passionate about children’s learning and development. I value family in its many forms and believe it’s important that the whole family has a sense of belonging at Country Kids. Having fun, laughter and spontaneous learning is paramount in early childhood.

I live with my partner in Motueka and have 3 sons, 2 daughter in-laws and 5 grandchildren. My happy place is spending time with them all.

Diploma Teaching (ECE). Fully certificated Teacher.

Marg Honey

Curriculum Leader & Just4Kids Teacher

Kia Ora, my name is Marg. I have worked in J4K for a long time – 20 years in fact! My partner Bob and I live in Tasman within the great Moutere Cluster. We have a grownup son who started at Country Kids just before I did! I love living and working locally – it is such a great community to be part of. I passionately believe in Community Centres supporting families and the developmental needs of our children. It is a real privilege to see so many of our young children growing up with wonderfully capable and competent skills. Country Kids rocks!

Bachelor Teaching (ECE). Fully certificated Teacher.

Marian Aryes-Hill

Pikopiko Teacher

Kylie Binns

Just4Kids Teacher

Nicola Bloomfield

Ngā Whetū Teacher

Grace Cavill

Ngā Whetū Teacher

Bachelor Teaching (ECE).

Janell Cook

Ngā Whetū Teacher

Pippi Gamby

Piko Piko Teacher

Pippi has worked with Country Kids over the years and for many years. She just can’t get enough of the place!

Bachelor Teaching (ECE). Fully certificated Teacher.

Sheryl Gregan

Pikopiko Teacher

Aimee Thomas

Ngā Whetū Teacher

Hey, I’m Aimee or Amz. I have worked at Country Kids for 17 years. I love nature and the little critters that live in it. I weave this into my teaching. Another love is music and laughter, which I share with our toddlers throughout the day! I live rurally out in Dovedale with my beautiful fur baby Inkah.

Diploma Teaching (ECE). Fully certificated Teacher.

Annette

Teacher

Tess Wood

Ngā Whetū Teacher

Our Support Staff

Anne Best

Administration/Receptionist

Anne handles the weekly enrolments for families, amongst a wide variety of other administrative tasks. At Country Kids we pride ourselves on being as flexible as possible. Anne’s here to help you, so please just ask!

What parents are saying about us!

Well my child is off to school and again I am so grateful for the fantastic environment of Country Kids. She has loved every minute of J4kids. You guys make so much difference to how our kids grow, develop and learn. Thanks heaps for the time my daughter has spent in your capable hands. Best wishes

Thank you so much for your wonderful care of our children over the last few years. They have very happy memories of their time here, and the special relationships made with their teachers, and the other children. We’ve always been so impressed with the fun, energy, and genuine interest and caring of our children. There is always a high level…READ MORE

To Country Kids Well this is the end of an era – about 6 years long. Our children have been through the doors and onto school well prepared. I know they have had the very best of care and help to prepare them for life at school – and beyond. Thanks so much for all your hard work, time and…READ MORE

To all the wonderful staff at Country Kids, You all have been AMAZING in helping our kids grow & learn & experience such great fun opportunities over the last 10 YEARS You are all AWESOME & ROCK! We will miss you all so much

To the wonderful staff at Country Kids, How do you say goodbye? But more importantly, how do you say thank you? Country Kids has played a significant part in the Early Childhood Years of our two girls. The growth and confidence we have observed of our girls has been priceless! We have enjoyed and loved everything about Country Kids from…READ MORE

Hello, my 4 year old (Jaylee) started Country Kids 2 weeks ago. Friends had told me about Country Kids “check out County kids, it’s amazing”, “the teachers are wonderful”, “the kids will love it”, so I knew Jaylee and I were in for a treat when we visited Country Kids. What I didn’t expect was the warm welcome we received…READ MORE

Our Teaching Team

Our Support Staff

What parents are saying about us!

Come visit us and see how good it is here!