Meet the Team

At Acorn Early Learning Centre, we believe in providing quality care and education. Therefore, all of our teachers are qualified or in training towards their degree or diploma in early childhood education. We also aim for all full-time staff to have completed a current, recognised first aid course. All our staff members are police vetted and reference checked.

It is also our aim for teaching staff to be continually up-skilled and involved in ongoing training within the early childhood sector.

If a staff member is off sick or on annual leave, we will endeavour to use relievers who are known to our centre.

The teaching team at Acorn feels privileged to be involved in young children’s care, education, learning and development and enjoys a great partnership with parents. Our parents regularly comment on how much they value our open communication, care for the children and commitment to providing a quality childcare environment.

Find out more about us!

Owners of Acorn Early Learning Centre
Acorn's Kiwi Room Team
Acorn's Tui Room Team
Centre Chef

Owners of Acorn Early Learning Centre

Catherine Holden Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Fully Registered. First aid qualified. Hello, my name is Catherine. I have worked in early childhood since 2000. Prior to entering early childhood I completed a Certificate in Commerce at AUT. I am married to Andrew, and we opened Acorn Early Learning Centre on 12 May 2004. We have two teenage boys at secondary school. I am committed to providing high quality education and care for children. In my spare time I enjoy family time, going for walks, pottering in the garden and catching up with friends.

Andrew Holden First aid qualified Hi, I’m Andrew. I have a business and management background and currently support the centre in many areas. I’m often found in the kitchen and the office or working on maintaining the building and the garden. I also enjoy working with the children on projects such as building go-karts or making sushi. Like Catherine, I strongly believe in providing high quality care and education for children.

Acorn's Kiwi Room Team

	Erin Roome – Team Leader Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Fully Registered. First aid qualified. I graduated from the University of Canterbury in December 2008. I have been working at Acorn Early Learning Centre since March 2011. I have a huge passion for young children, their learning and development. As an early childhood teacher, I recognise that I am a lifelong learner, as the theories and practices change constantly in early childhood education. I believe it is important to be qualified and regularly update my knowledge. I work to be an effective facilitator, supporter, and friend, creating and growing responsive and reciprocal relationships with all children and their parents, whanau and caregivers. I have been married to Jason since November 2008. I enjoy playing netball and squash and really love scrapbooking.
	Zara Langely – Assistant Team Leader Bachelor of Education. Provisionally Registered. First aid qualified. Hello, my name is Zara. I consider myself to be a learner first and teacher second. I understand that all children are unique individuals who have the right to learn, develop, laugh, play and build relationships. My aim is to develop meaningful and exciting new learning opportunities for every child in my care. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and always love having a good laugh.
	Sharlene Ryan – Senior Teacher Bachelor of Education. Fully Registered. First aid qualified. I attained my postgraduate degree in early childhood from the University of Auckland in 2008 and joined Acorn in July 2009. Prior to teaching, I worked in advertising. I hold a Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing). I enjoy working with pre-school children because they are so refreshingly honest and full of interesting theories about the world around them. My aim is to support and extend children’s thinking. I have a particular love of storytelling, for its ability to stimulate imagination and discussion with children. I also enjoy sport, competing internationally in the long-distance Ironman event, and running along the waterfront with my two poodles. I live in St. Heliers, and have a daughter at secondary school.
	Naoko Suzuki – Teacher Junior High/High School Teachers Licence – Japan. Hello, my name is Naoko and I am from Japan. I have been working as a teacher at Acorn since May 2009. I have a Junior High School and High School Teacher’s Licence from Japan. I have been teaching in Japan and New Zealand since 2006. I love working in early childhood. I am very happy to be able to share special moments with each child at Acorn and my goal is to study to become a New Zealand qualified early childhood teacher. In my spare time, I like playing tennis, going for a jog, shopping, photography, cooking and cycling.
	Lisa Wilson – Teacher Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Teaching) with Credit.   Provisionally Registered. Hi, my name is Lisa. I returned to New Zealand in early 2011 after teaching overseas for five years. I love working with preschool children because they are so energetic and enthusiastic about everything they come into contact with. I love to create experiences to contribute to this ongoing enthusiasm for life’s adventures. My aim is to create a positive, fun learning environment for all children in my care. Outside of work I love running, camping and spending time exploring new places.
	Josie Smedley – Teacher Beginning study 2013. Hi, my name is Josie.  I am really excited to be part of the team at Acorn after relieving full-time for Acorn through Geneva Education. Before I began teaching I worked as a beauty therapist. I have always loved children and in April 2011 decided to get into the teaching sector. Being the second eldest of five siblings, I have always had a lot to do with children. I look forward to furthering myself through study and learning every day through my colleagues and the children here at Acorn. In my spare time I love to surf, and enjoy music, art and keeping fit.

Acorn's Tui Room Team

	Kate Hutchison – Team Leader and Senior Teacher Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Fully Registered. First aid qualified. Hi, I’m Kate. I have worked in early childhood since 1996. While I have worked with all ages, I have spent most of this time with babies and toddlers. I am married and we have a son and a daughter. My interests include family time, walking, and dancing. Our weekends are generally very busy focused around children, sports and family occasions.
	Michelle Teau – Assistant Team Leader Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Provisionally Registered. First aid qualified. Hello, my name is Michelle. I am passionate about physical movement in early childhood. I enjoy the different day-to-day experiences that early childhood education brings and love the curiosity and enthusiasm that children constantly express.
	Diane Wilson – Teacher Diploma in Teaching (Primary). Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). Fully Registered. First aid qualified. I have been working in early childhood centres since moving to Auckland in 1998. I have been at Acorn since the beginning of 2009 and love working with the younger children. I have three children and two step children. My husband and I have five grandchildren, who give us a lot of pleasure. I come from a farming background and love getting back into the country to visit my farming sons. I also enjoy gardening, fishing, sailing and reading.
	Sieva Douglas – Teacher Bachelor of Education. Fully Registered. First aid qualified. Hello, my name is Sieva and I am from Niue. My interest in early childhood education began when my sons were babies. Both are in their twenties. My mother, who was a teacher, motivated me to undertake studies at the University of Auckland, where I graduated with a teaching degree in early childhood education.
	Wendy Yang – Teacher Bachelor of Education (Montessori Early Childhood Teaching) Hi, my name is Wendy. I have a passion for teaching and caring for children, especially when it comes to babies and toddlers. I am very excited to be working in an early childhood environment with children so we can learn from each other. I believe that love towards children is the fundamental qualification teachers need. This can be accompanied by giving children the freedom to learn and explore in their own ways with the teacher’s assistance and support. My personal life involves family, friends and helping people who are in need.

Centre Chef

Eileen Westlake Certificate in Food Safety. First aid qualified. Hi, my name is Eileen I have been working at Acorn since 2010. I am married with three children and live locally in St Heliers. I am the chef at Acorn and prepare hot lunches for all the children in the Tui Room and morning and afternoon tea for both the Kiwi and the Tui Rooms. I love cooking and also enjoy getting to know the children and helping out in the centre when I can. In my spare time I love to sit down with a good book.