EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES

Nau mai ki a tatou akomanga
Welcome to our classroom

METHVEN PROGRAMMES

PEAPODS

Under 2's

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BEAN SPROUTS

Over 2's

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METHVEN TEAM

Emma Harmer

Management Team

Kia Ora, my name is Emma Harmer and I am the director and owner of Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre.  I have been an Early Childhood Educator for many years, I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and have a great desire and passion for quality early childhood care. It was part of this desire and passion that in 2010 I decided to open my own centre. There was a real need in the Methven community for another quality childcare provider to help ease the wait times for children and families to begin attending a preschool.

In June 2011 this became a reality and Leap Ahead opened its doors to the Methven community. We are now a well-established early childhood centre with two rooms offering care for children aged 3 months to 5 years. During each child’s learning journey with us at Leap Ahead we aim to give them the best start in life and watch them grow into strong, capable and confident learners with the help of quality educators and a well-resourced centre. I can’t wait to meet you all and look forward to helping you and your child start their early childhood experience.

Kaylene Hindson

Management Team

Kia Ora,

My name is Kaylene Hindson and I am the manager at Leap Ahead. I have many years’ experience in the Early Childhood sector, I hold a Diploma in Early Childhood education and have worked in many different roles, such as a teacher, a head teacher and now I am really enjoying being challenged in the role as manager. I have a strong interest in the Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whariki, and how this is implemented throughout our daily programme. I believe in quality education and support for our children while they are in the centre working towards their goals and achievements. I am proud to be working alongside a team of strong educators that provide an enriched and inviting environment which captures all the cultural aspects of our rural community.

Erica-Jayne Tipene 

Head Teacher- Beansprouts room (Over two's)

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Ko Erica-Jayne Tipene ahau. I relocated back to Aotearoa in the middle of 2019, with my daughter Zealah so she could start her education journey, she attended Methven Preschool for 15 months before starting at Methven Primary School. I am a fully qualified and registered teacher and completed my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) with providers Te Rito Maioha, Ōtautahi. And very fortunate to have secured fulltime employment with the team at Methven.

As this is a new career move for me, I look forward to being able to incorporate previous experiences into the learning community (RNZAF/NZDF, upholstery, aircraft finishing, building maintenance, sustainability, retail and hospitality).

Kā manaakitaka

Whaea E-J

Cindy Bryant

Head Teacher- Peapod room (Under two's)

Kia Ora,

My name is Cindy Bryant and I have my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and fully registered. I am a mum of two to Makenzie and Hudson, and live in Methven. As an infant and toddlers teacher, I believe in providing a nurturing and respectful environment for our tamariki. I enjoy exploring different learning experiences with the children while watching each and every child’s learning and thought processes develop during their journey with us at Leap Ahead. I have a passion of incorporating all languages of New Zealand, including Te Reo and Sign Language, within the daily programme for all children. I believe in active unstructured exploration for the development and growth of all children.

Joy Santos

 Teaching Team

Kia Ora,

My name is Joy Santos. I am originally from the Philippine's. I moved to New Zealand  with my family to start a new life. I received my bachelor's degree of Education from Bulcom state university where i also completed the academic requirements for my master's degree.  All my international degrees have been cross credit with NZQA and I am a recognised provisionally registered teacher in New Zealand.I have been teaching for almost 18 years in total and when I am not teaching I love being a mum of my three boys, reading books, and watching action  movies. I am excited to be working with Leap Ahead, with our Whanau and your children. I look forward to learning and continuing my journey here in Methven New Zealand.

Ivy Torres

 Teaching Team

Kia Ora,



My name is Ivy Claire Torres and a child’s joy of learning is my greatest inspiration. I’m originally from the Philippines. I have been teaching as a kindergarten teacher in my hometown and continue my journey as a kaiako at Leap Ahead. I have two lovable children. I am passionate about creating a welcoming atmosphere to build positive connections with young children and their whanau.



Renee Clucas

Teaching team

Kia Ora, 

Hi my name is Renee Clucas. I am a fully registered teacher and have been working in ECE for a number of years. My Partner and I moved to Methven, when we took over the Dry creeks Meat  business.  I have Four children and two of them  Maisey and McKinley attend leap ahead with me. We love spending time together as a family and getting outdoors in this beautiful landscape we with in. I look forward to meeting you all and working alongside your children. 

Marinca Taljaard

Teaching team

Kia ora,


My name is Marinca Taljaard. My husband and I moved to New Zealand from South Africa in 2022. I am a qualified and New Zealand registered teacher with experience with children from Early childhood through to intermediate school. I am Passionate about creating a warm, caring and nurturing environment where tamariki feel safe, happy and confident to learn through play. Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband and our two much loved dogs. I also love dancing and listening to music and I enjoy baking. I feel very grateful to be part of Leap Ahead Whānau and look forward to getting to know all our children and their families.

Katelyn Rattray

Teaching team

Kia Ora, my name is Katelyn Rattray and I am currently studying my first year of early childhood education, through NZTC. I have wanted to work with children for a long time and when I got offered the opportunity I couldn’t say no, I am a kind caring person with a big heart, while I have been here I have enjoyed watching the children learn and grow and can’t wait for what the future brings at leap ahead.
 

Brittney Hindson

Teaching Team

Kia Ora,

My name is Brittney Hindson. I am currently a teacher aide at Leap Ahead and have been employed since April 21.  I live in Ashburton with my daughter Jayla who attends Methven Primary school. I feel privileged to be working alongside all the tamariki, while learning all about Early Childhood Education. I enjoy working in the under two's area and can not wait to learn more and implement my new knowledge into my practices as my understandings grow.

Sharni-Lee Thickett

Teaching team

Kia Ora, 


My name is Sharni-lee. I've been part of the Leap Ahead team for just over 8 years and have lived in Methven all my life. I recently got Married and bought my first home with my husband. At home we have our black Labrador Koda, and our three cats, Ace, Sky and Bell. They are my babies. Outside of work, I love going for runs, and adding to my ever growing collection of indoor house plants. The thing i enjoy the most about my job is building strong relationships with the children and their whānau and watching each child's unique personality grow and shine everyday.

Mikayla Reid-Mcfarlane

Teaching team

Kia ora,

My name is Mikayla. I have recently finished my last year of school where i did gateway to see more of the early childhood environment which i found i loved. I am passionate about creating a safe and warm environment, where children are confidently cared for as they grow. I am grateful to be part of the Leap Ahead team. Outside of work I like to read, listen to music and go on walks. I also love to spend time with my two sisters and my cats. I look forward to getting to know all the families and build relationships with whānau and the children.

Chloe Eltham  

Teaching team

Kia Ora

My name is Chloe Eltham.

Phillipa McDonald  

House keeper/Teacher aide

 (Kia Ora)


My name is Phillipa, and I have worked at Leap Ahead Pre-school for nearly 3 years as a teacher aid/housekeeper. I mainly work in the Pea Pod room ( infants) and enjoy getting to know our Whānau and helping with the children and watching how they grow independence to become a Beansprout in the Over two's room. I have lived in Methven for 28 years and are married to John. We have 4 children together and I have an older step-daughter. My hobbies are photography, gardening and music. I really enjoy living in Methven and think it is a great place to bring up a family.

ABOUT LEAP AHEAD METHVEN

Leap Ahead Methven is a purpose built early childhood centre, providing your children with quality education and care within our ever growing community, Methven.

At Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre we believe that children learn best in an environment where they feel safe and secure and reassured that their needs will be met, and where they feel that they have a special place. We provide an environment that lays this foundation so that children can develop through communicating effectively, contributing in a variety of situations, and exploring almost everything.

New Title

OUR FEES

Leap Ahead Methven has been operating successfully since 2011, and we would like to share our success with our community.  

Upon enrolment at Leap Ahead Early Childhood Centre, Methven receive your first 3 weeks of child care between the hours of 9am-3pm for FREE on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Outside this promotion we charge $7.60 an hour
 
An hourly rate means you’re not tied into sessions or more hours than you need and you have the flexibility to meet the needs of your family.
 
FIND OUT MORE

METHVEN LOCATION