Organic Kids Christchurch

LeeAnne – Wainoni

Qualifications

• Early Childhood Education and Care – Level 4
• First Aid
• Child Protection

Kia ora,

My name is LeeAnne, I am a young at heart nana. My husband, Mark and I share a combined family of five adult children including three grandchildren.

I started childcare 24 years ago after trying and failing miserably to return to the work force after maternity leave, realising that home was the best place for my son to thrive in a loving, supportive, and nurturing environment. I knew then that being available for other parents who felt the same way was my calling, and still is to this day.

From that life changing moment, I have continued to develop and broaden my knowledge and understanding of the development of a child’s needs, physically, emotionally and mentally. I completed my Level 4 of Early childhood education and care in the first intake of participants. Keeping up to date with the latest teachings is important to me so I take advantage of workshops when available. Over the years I have had children with special needs, special requirements, health issues and a variety of ethnic groups. I have always supported the children and their families, in their cultural beliefs and needs.  

We live down a long driveway off a main road on a property many call a Hidden Oasis. To my husband and I, it is home, our sanctuary, our pride and joy. We returned to a rebuilt house on a large empty canvas of a section. Over time we have made it a child wonderland with many areas that catch both adults and children’s interest and imaginations, such as life size wild animals amongst the punga garden, the dwarf’s that work in the fairy village or the many tin plates that tell stories of past that adorn a side fence. Our many fruit trees and vegetable gardens that the children help to plant and harvest to be enjoyed through summer. We have a menagerie of animals for children to help take care of, chickens, birds in an aviary, cat, dogs, and fish. Collecting eggs and feeding the fish meat from a skewer are favourites.

I like to keep children active and engaged in learning, we often go on outings such as visiting local parks, wetlands, woodlands, for nature walks, collecting or exploring. Willowbank reserve to see animals from around the world, the Christchurch Gondola which traverses the slopes of Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills, Tram rides through the city, music group, Organic kids outings, and a weekly playgroup with another carer at her home. I set up different areas of play indoors for the children to engage in and change to fit current interests. Outdoors we have a range of physical structures, a large covered sandpit and water area, ride on/in vehicles, covered spaces, grassed areas all with lots of space.

Children settle into care quickly and soon treat our home as their own, leaving parents minds at ease about their choice of care. 

LeeAnne