Mary —- Co-owner
| I was a CEO of a large Chinese company for many years. When I retired and came to New Zealand, I wanted to do something useful and meaningful for my second home. My heart led me to ECE: providing affordable and high-quality childcare for young children and I began to build childcare centres in South and East Auckland. Cozy Corner Educare is my third childcare centre. I found Irene through her articles on the internet and liked her passion in caring for children with love and respect. Together we built Cozy Corner Educare and I trust that Irene and her team will deliver the best childcare for children in the community. |
Irene —- Co-owner and Managing Director
Full registered teacher. Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
| I have made New Zealand my home since 2007. My husband Nick and I have a beautiful family with our four children (Aaron, Paul, Nuoya and Nathan). I have been working in Early Childhood for over 8 years and have made many special relationships with children and their families. I am passionate about creating an inviting, calming and engaging environment in which children can grow and thrive as competent and confident learners. I believe respectful and reciprocal relationships between the teachers, parents and whānau promote children’s learning and wellbeing both at home and in childcare. I look forward to working with the families in our community. |
Kogi —- Team Leader-Over 2s
Full registered teacher. Postgraduate Diploma of Education
| I moved from South Africa to New Zealand 23 years ago. I am married, have 2 children, 1 grandchild and 2 cats. I love living and teaching in this beautiful country. I am a fully qualified, early childhood teacher. Teaching is a passion to me because I enjoy being part of children’s learning and developmental experiences. I love teaching children from different ethnicity, religions, philosophies and backgrounds. I really enjoy being on a learning journey together with children. It excites me to fuel children’s inquiring minds – leading to exploration and discovery. I especially love that I can create lifelong learners. It gives me great pleasure to help people unleash their personal potential so they can achieve to their maximum. I am deeply touched by seeing that I can make a difference in children’s lives. My aim is to provide a safe, caring, supportive and happy environment for each child so children can challenge themselves. I also aspire for each child to be confident and socially competent so they can take their rightful place in society. |
Natalie —- Under 2s’ Teacher
Provisional registered teacher. Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
| I am passionate about working alongside children and believe that children thrive in an environment where they have the freedom to learn and explore in their own way. I aspire to provide children with an environment that is safe and nurturing. With experiences that are meaningful, authentic, challenging, stimulating, and fun. But also to ensure that interactions are respectful to the child’s personal space and wishes. |
Shazreena —- Under 2s’ teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
I studied Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at The University of Auckland. I love working with children and being part of their early years. I believe each child is unique in their own way and as an ECE teacher I must enhance that uniqueness of our tamariki. I was born in Fiji, moved to New Zealand and did my schooling here. I can speak fluent Hindi, English and bit Punjabi. I love cooking, baking and gardening and in my spare time you’ll find me doing either one of them. |
Matthew —- Over 2s’ teacher
Full registered teacher. Bachelor of Education (Teaching)
| I had been a horticulturist for fourteen years in my previous career, so the garden and the natural environment are very dear to me. I want to create a space where children can understand and embrace their place in the natural world. One part of our job is developing the children’s connection with the land, the seasons, growth and change. I strongly believe that Early Childcare provides the fertile soil for a child’s growth; so much of a child’s personality and future development is grounded in the first four years. Individuality and diversity are things to celebrate and encourage, along with a total respect for our children and their whanau. Free Play in a nurturing environment is especially important. I also believe in educare; the idea that education and care are intimately bonded in the early years, and that this is founded on a close relationship with the child, the parents and the community of Panmure. It’s a complete honour and pleasure to be here at the Cozy Corner. |
Mary —- Over 2s’ Teacher
Provisional registered teacher. Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE)
| I am originally from India and settled in New Zealand for the past 17 years. I hold a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) from the New Zealand Tertiary College. I have a Masters Degree in Statistics and Bachelor of Education Degree from India. I live in St. Johns with my husband and two teenage children. I believe that every child should be treated with respect and given every opportunity to grow into happy, healthy and confident individuals. I am passionate about providing children with a calm, nurturing and stimulating environment which will help them in their holistic development. |