Meet the Team

My husband and I are the proud owners of Footprints Early Learning Centre.

After working at Footprints since 2018, we were offered the opportunity to become owner-operators. With that, the journey has begun to provide a unique space for children and their families to call a home away from home. For over 15 years, I have been inspired by Pennie Brownlee and the Pikler Institute, to meet the biological needs of children, where a stable and supportive environment is created so children can play out their intelligence to their highest potential. During this time, I worked within the Waihi community and surrounding districts, supporting children and their families through parent classes. We have excellent support from highly qualified staff at the center. You can read more about them below.

We look forward to meeting new families and inviting them to join our community here at Footprints ELC.

Kia ora tātou.
My name is Natasha, but everyone calls me Tasha or Tash.

Firstly, I am a mother of three nearly grown children and one grandbaby. I started my journey in teaching ECE over twenty years ago and my passion and interests within teaching have grown and changed in many areas, but one thing has always remained at the core of my practice and that is that relationships are the magical glue that holds everything together and sets the foundation for our learning.

My relationship with my son, who was born with Down Syndrome, has provided me with a different outlook on life and a variety of life lessons that I have brought into my practice. This has also cemented my belief that relationships are key, especially supporting children’s relationships with themselves to see that they are capable and confident learners in whatever form that might be.

I have been working at Footprints since 2021. I am part of an outdoor family who enjoys trips to our mountain home to go snowboarding. We also enjoy hunting and fishing. It has been my pleasure to meet different families and build relationships with tamariki over the years within our community.

I have been a part of the Footprints whānau since 2018. Working alongside my Mum (Leona). I have developed a greater understanding of respectful care and practice with the youngest children within our centre. I enjoy watching their natural development and learning unfold.