Our Team

Casa Team

Annie Tikaram

Centre Manager | Owner

I have been living in beautiful Aotearoa for 15 years now after emigrating from South Africa. New Zealand is home and I absolutely love living here. I have worked in the ECE profession for 12 years and have gained many valuable skills and knowledge during my role as a teacher. I love working with children and providing them with the tools to foster their independence and curiosity. My role as a leader in this profession has made me want to have my own centre and to be able to get the perfect team and beautiful environment for our tamariki. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and to be a part of an amazing team.

Maria Montessori inspired me to study for my Montessori Diploma. I knew that this was just what children needed: respect for who they are and an environment that is tailor made for their every need. It is an education for life and the children are able to follow their own natural instincts with guidance from a loving directress.

Together with my Montessori diploma, I have a Bachelor of Education in ECE and Post – Grad. in Leadership and Management, both gained in New Zealand and this gives me the ability to use both areas of knowledge and skills to ensure that our children at MCH get the best possible start in becoming capable and confident in who they are. I look forward to this amazing journey with our Montessori children and families.

 

 

Angelica Franco

Casa

Kia ora, my name is Angelica Franco. I was born in Mexico City and relocated to Aotearoa in 1997. I am married with two adult boys and have worked in travel and hospitality sector before pursuing a career in early childhood education. I started working in education in 2000 as an education support worker with neurodivergent children.

This ignited my passion for working with children and I pursued my teaching diploma, followed by my bachelor in teaching. I moved from Auckland to Kerikeri in 2007 and have worked in a couple of local centres. Last year I gained a Montessori diploma in ECE. The most exciting part of being a kaiako to me, is when tamariki take leadership roles at any age and surprise themselves with their own achievements. Those moments of awe and discovery are priceless.

My hobbies are  cricket, exercise, walking, soccer, music and movement which I am excited to share with our tamariki. I feel very privileged to be working alongside your children and the wonderful and professional kaiako at Montessori, who bring heart, soul and passion every day.

 

Jenny Lee

Casa

Hi, my name is Jenny Lee. I have grown up in beautiful Northland Aotearoa, a place I am happy to call home. I am a mother to my lovely daughter who influenced my passion for working with children. I have a Bachelor of Education in ECE and am in the process of getting my Montessori Diploma.

I believe it is important to recognise that each child is unique and an individual, who has the right to feel and be safe, nurtured, respected and valued. Children need a supportive environment to thrive and know their voice is valued. As an early childhood teacher, I wish to reflect an environment and practice that is positive, to help guide children to explore and extend their interests, capabilities and identity.

My vision is to provide a strong foundation that supports children to grow and become resilient, who are comfortable to be who they are.

 

Shiloh

Casa

Kia ora e te whānau, My name is Zhuozhuo Cai, but everyone calls me Shiloh. I hold a Master of Teaching and Learning from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and am passionate about supporting tamariki to become confident and independent learners.

I believe every child is capable, curious, and deserves a calm and respectful environment where they can learn and grow at their own pace. Building meaningful relationships with children and their whānau is an important part of my teaching practice, and I feel privileged to be part of each child’s unique learning journey.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy staying active through sports, which reflects my positive and energetic approach to life. I love bringing this enthusiasm into my everyday interactions and creating joyful learning experiences with tamariki.

Carol Boltman

Administrator

Kia Ora!! My name is Carol Boltman and I have worked in the Early Childhood sector for over 30 years. I owned and managed my own Childcare Centre for 18 Years and since moving to New Zealand, I have continued working in Childcare as an Administrator and Reliever.

My husband and I are very blessed to have two wonderful children, a son and daughter and we have four beautiful grandchildren who we are extremely proud of. I am passionate about Children and Families and it’s an honour for me to be the Administrator and to be part of this wonderful Team at Montessori Children’s House. 🏡

 

Nido Team

Debbie McAdams

Nido

Hello my name is Debbie. I am a qualified and fully registered kaiako with 20 years experience in Early childhood care and education. I have lived in Kerikeri forever and have six grown children and eleven grandchildren who are my world and my home is my happy place.

I believe children are different, all unique in their own ways. Each comes with their own basket of knowledge, shaped by their whanau, language and culture and community. I believe building strong relationships with children and whanau is so very important. I believe in supporting and nurturing each child’s individual learning journey with care, respect and love, helping them grow to be confident, capable and independent.

 

Jackie Atu

Nido

Hi my name is Jackie Atu. I was born in New Zealand but moved to Fiji when I was 11. I spent the next 25 years there and along the way I met my wonderful husband and had 3 amazing sons.

We are a very outdoors family so you will find us out and about most weekends in the boat, fishing or just relaxing at the beach. I love working with the infants and toddlers at Nido. They are full of fun and curiosity and it’s lovely watching them make new discoveries every day.

 

Kelly De Malmanche

Nido

My name is Kelly, I have lived in Kerikeri for 13 years and am originally from Papakura. I am studying my Bachelor of Teaching at the moment to allow myself to better support our children in their learning and development.

In my spare time you will find me on adventures with my beautiful 3yr old daughter, out fishing or doing puzzles.