Our Mission

A home away from home environment for all our tamariki, ensuring every child is nurtured and cared for every day.

We aim to create a staff culture of care and appreciation, teamwork and continuous improvement.

 
 
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Vickie’s Story

I am lucky enough to say I absolutely love what I do. Teaching at Butterfly’s is more of a passion project than a simple job.  

Butterfly Preschool opened in February 2014 at the time my daughters Isla was 3 years old and Zoe was only 10 months old. My husband and I worked hard to set up the original centre - creating and painting everything by hand to ensure that everything was perfect.  Since the doors opened to the present day I have always wanted one thing - happy and content children with their families feeling totally comfortable to leave their children at Butterfly.  I am present every day, teaching alongside the other teachers, all striving for the common goal where children's learning is celebrated and friendships are nurtured. I take huge pride in seeing the children graduate Butterfly and start school, we like to make the children's last day special, as we feel like we have done our job well.  I personally believe Butterfly has one of the best teaching teams in Taranaki.

 

Kaiako
Our Teachers

  • Cheryl Cooksley

    Teacher - Preschool Room

    Kia ora koutou katoa. My name is Cheryl Cooksley.  I’m a registered teacher and have worked in Early Childhood for over 20 years now.  I have held a number of positions and still have a great passion for working with and alongside children.  I live in the beautiful Fitzroy community with my husband Dion and our tamariki Kohin and Addision.  As a family we love spending time at the local beach, getting out fishing and being involved in many different sports. 

    My teaching philosophy is all about confidence, kindness, respect and most of all fun.  I believe these attributes support our tamariki to grow into confident and capable learners.  

    I love working alongside the wonderful teachers at Butterfly Preschool - the small group sizes allow us to have quality teaching experiences with the tamariki every day.

  • Karla Mora

    Teacher - Caterpillar Room

    Kia ora. My name is Karla Mora.  I have always had a real interest in working with children and spent many years working in London as a Nanny.  After returning from travelling, I became a reliever at an Early Childhood Centre and realised that teaching is what I really wanted to do. So, with two children under the age of three I decided it was finally the time to start studying for my Bachelor of Teaching.

    Four long years later, after juggling being a mum, wife, working and studying full time I achieved my goal and in 2009 received by Bachelor of Teaching. This highlighted to me that with support, determination and encouragement we can achieve anything we set our minds too. I take this philosophy into my daily practice.

    I have had 20 years’ experience in early childhood and have taught all age groups. I love working with children and find my career to be one that I am extremely fortunate to have. I am proud to work alongside such a wonderful, kind passionate team of teachers - many that I have known for a number of years and whom in fact taught my own daughters who are now teenagers.

  • Helen Leigh

    Preschool Teacher

    My is Helen and I have been working in the ECE sector since I emigrated to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2007. I am a fully qualified early childhood Kaiako with a post graduate diploma in teaching (Early Childhood Education). I am originally from England but feel very lucky that I can now call New Zealand my home.

    I am committed to providing your Tamariki with a warm and nurturing environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging. I believe in the power of learning through play, which fosters creativity, allows children to explore, make discoveries and develop into lifelong learners.

  • Amy Bovett

    Preschool Teacher

    My name is Amy and I am super excited to be a part of the Butterfly Team! I am a Primary trained kaiako who has spent the last four and a half years working in Early Childhood where I have found my happy place! I am originally from England but emigrated here with my mum, dad and brother 15 years ago and we officially became kiwi citizens last year! I am an avid gym lover and when I'm not attending sessions at Fit Stop, I am teaching group fitness at City Fitness which I have been doing for 5 years. In my spare time, I enjoy art and crafts, walking and hiking. My passions include eating good food, adding to my earring collection, being an animal lover and the colour orange!

  • Debbie Telfer

    Preschool Teacher

    My name is Debbie. I am a qualified early childhood teacher and I have been teaching for 16 years. I love learning alongside young children, and I particularly enjoy teaching the arts including singing and dancing.

    When I am not educating young minds, I am at home with my husband and two children. I have a son and daughter who both attend high school, they keep me busy with their hobbies or competitive dancing, soccer and cricket. When I have free time I enjoy reading, walking my dog Bella and going out for coffee. n goes here

  • Jaymee Mora

    Preschool Teacher

 

“An amazing centre with awesome teachers who go above and beyond”

— Dannielle Gilbert