

Kia ora koutou, ko Natalie (Nat) toku ingoa.
In 2010 I graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) and since then have completed Montessori teaching diplomas for both the 0-3 years and 3-6 years age groups. I have worked at a number of different sized preschools here in Christchurch, in both teaching and management roles.
Respect is at the heart of my teaching practice, and I role model this through my interactions with colleagues, whanau, tamariki and the environment. Every day I spend with your beautiful children I’m in awe of their capabilities and feel so privileged to be able to walk alongside them on this chapter of their lifelong learning story.
When I’m not teaching at Fundies Merivale you’ll find me and my husband Brendan working on our historic cottage in Arthur’s Pass, playing music or visiting our only daughter Sian, who is a secondary school teacher in Auckland

Kiaora my name is Di, I am the Director of Fundamentals ECE.
I am an Early Childhood Qualified and Registered teacher who is extremely passionate about children being able to receive high quality education and care within our preschool without any barriers. I have over 17 years experience in leading teams, driving high quality outcomes for children and fostering emergent leadership within a team.
My team mean everything to me and I strive to appoint teachers who have a strong passion and drive for positively influencing our learners. I am extremely proud of my teaching team and love working alongside them each day. I teach at our Marshlands centre 2-3 days working alongside my team.
I currently am the Secretary of the New Zealand Early Childhood Council, an organisation that provides advice, guidance and support to more than 1600 ECE providers across New Zealand. I work alongside 9 other owners and operators throughout NZ to provide effective governance to this outstanding organisation. I thrive being able to share my knowledge and skills with other like minded professionals for the benefit of our sector.
Apart from working with my superstar team and our beautiful children everyday, My husband, Darren and I I have 2 school aged children who are very busy and active. We love exploring our beautiful country as often as we can, camping, biking and walking throughout rural and remote parts of NZ is a passion of ours.
I love what I do so much, and look forward to working alongside our team to offer a relationship focused ECE setting to our Whanau and community.