Meet Our Team
Our Woodlands Park Community Kindergarten team, led by Head Kaiako, Michelle Fouché, is passionate about nurturing young minds and celebrating individuality. Together, we create a vibrant learning environment where tamariki and whānau thrive.
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Michelle Fouché, DipTchg (ECE)
Head Kaiako
Kia ora, my name is Michelle, and I am honoured to be the Head Kaiako at this wonderful kindergarten. This is my twentieth year in the ECE sector. My passion is to support and teach tamariki to be the best they can be. I believe tamariki thrive when they have respectful and reciprocal relationships in an environment that inspires them to engage and learn through play. Tamariki make sense of the world around them in their own unique way and uninterrupted play gives tamariki the opportunity to develop their working theories, problem solve and develop a passion for lifelong learning.
I live in Woodlands Park with my two amazing daughters and love to spend time with family and friends.
Andy Dean, M.ED (ECE), DipEI, DipSpecTchg, DipHigherTchg, GradDipTchg(ECE), BA
Kaiako
I have worked in early childhood education since I was 21, graduating from the Institute of Early Childhood Studies (in Sydney) in 1984. I have worked as a teacher, head teacher, and manager in kindergartens and childcare centres both here and in Australia. I have been a lecturer at the Auckland College of Education and worked as a professional development facilitator for the Ministry of Education in early childhood centres throughout Auckland and Northland. I hold a Masters degree in early childhood education and have qualifications in early intervention and working with children with special needs.
I have three children - Woody (33), Billy (31) and Ari (25). I am also a bereaved parent - my first child, Hazel, died of retinoblastoma (eye cancer) in 1990. I am married to Rachel and am a step-parent to her son Aronui (13). I have lived in Titirangi since 2001 and we have a bach at Karekare.
Meg Cole
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Kaiako
I am passionate about creating a nurturing environment for our young tamariki and supporting them to develop a lifelong love of learning. It takes a village to raise a child, and I look forward to being a part of your village.
I live in Huia with my partner Warren and two children Malachi (14) and Aria (10), and one cat, two budgies, one pet mouse and seven chickens.
I love gardening, crafts, reading, singing and sustainability.
Nikki Grazier, BTchg (ECE), GradDipTchg (EC), BEd, DipTchg (Primary)
Kaiako
I have had over 30 years’ experience teaching, managing, leading, and mentoring in a range of mainstream early childhood services. As well as my three days at the kindy, I am an Early Years Facilitator supporting early years kaiako across Tāmaki Makaurau. I’m passionate about all aspects of early childhood care and education with respectful relationships at the core of what I do.
I live in Woodlands Park on a bush block with my husband, son (15) and two dogs. In my spare time I love walking in the bush and the beaches, and painting.
Stacia Jowett, GradDipTchg (ECE), BSBM
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Kaiako
I am a mother of two energetic and happy children, who went to Woodlands Park Kindy and are now at Woodlands Park School. I feel very fortunate to live and work in this beautiful community, surrounded by bush and bird song. I am passionate about environmental sustainability and believe that if children's foundations are laid with healthy, informed, sustainable habits now, they will reap the benefits of a healthier brighter future.
It is the unstructured, unhurried, spontaneous learning that occurs through play, which is at the heart of my philosophy. I believe that through fostering a sense of well-being, acceptance and wonder, tamariki will establish a solid foundation for life, secure in themselves, their ideas and their place in the world.
Tania Smit, PgDipBA, BA
Office Manager
I have previously worked in Customer Relationship Management in the financial services industry and am now relishing the connection with our tamariki and kaiako that is offered in our vibrant learning environment at Woodlands Park Kindy.
With a passion for organisation and heart full of compassion for our tamariki, I am dedicated to ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes at our beloved community kindergarten.
I am immensely grateful for the beautiful, caring and close-knit community of Woodlands Park that I enjoy with my husband and three children.