METHVEN
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES
Nau mai ki a tatou akomangaWelcome to our classroom
METHVEN PROGRAMMES
-
![]()
PEAPODS
Learn MoreUnder 2's
-
![]()
BEAN SPROUTS
Learn MoreOver 2's
-
![]()
LEAP AND STRIDES
Learn MoreSchool Holidays
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.
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.
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.
Chantelle Hickman
Head Teacher- Bean Sprouts room (Over two's)
Kia Ora,
My name is Chantelle Hickman. I have two beautiful girls, a husband and a dog named coal. I live in Methven and have been a local for 9 years. I have been involved in the Education sector for over 16 years and have worked in many types of roles, with my most recent role being the manager at the peel forest preschool. My girls have been attending Leap Ahead over the last six years and when the opportunity came up to work at the Centre, I made the decision to step back from a managerial position and go back to doing what I love - teaching. I look forward to meeting you all and working alongside your Tamariki.
My name is Chantelle Hickman. I have two beautiful girls, a husband and a dog named coal. I live in Methven and have been a local for 9 years. I have been involved in the Education sector for over 16 years and have worked in many types of roles, with my most recent role being the manager at the peel forest preschool. My girls have been attending Leap Ahead over the last six years and when the opportunity came up to work at the Centre, I made the decision to step back from a managerial position and go back to doing what I love - teaching. I look forward to meeting you all and working alongside your Tamariki.
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.
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.
Erica-Jayne Tipene
Teaching Team
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 student in my third and final year of study for my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) with providers Te Rito Maioha, Ōtautahi. And very fortunate to have recently 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
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.
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.
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 Ashburton with my husband Jamie. 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.
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 Ashburton with my husband Jamie. 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.
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 who also attends Leap ahead. I feel privileged to be working alongside her and 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.
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 who also attends Leap ahead. I feel privileged to be working alongside her and 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 Wallace
Teaching team
Kia Ora,
My name is Sharni-lee Wallace. I have been at leap Ahead for nearly 5 years. I have always been a child deep down, i am fun loving and outgoing, with a bubbly personality. I love being able to watch the children grow and be able to help them develop. I live in methven with my partner and my two cats. I have come from a big family therefore my love for children has stemmed from a young age as well as the ability to build reciprocal relationships with whanua.
Bethany Van Leerdam
Teaching team
Kia Ora,
Hi I'm Bethany Van leerdam, I am currently in my first year of study in early childhood to gain my bachelors in teaching at NZTC. I have wanted to be an early childhood teacher for as long as I can remember and when the opportunity arose I jumped at it. I love helping children learn and develop in different ways and watching how children from all backgrounds interact and learn together. I am excited for my journey at Leapahead Methven and for what is to come as I train further.
Chloe Eltham
Teaching team
Kia Ora
My name is Chloe Eltham.
Phillipa McDonald
House keeper/Teacher aide
(Kia Ora)
My name is Phillipa McDonald
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
This year is Methven Leap Ahead’s 8th successful year of operation so 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 $6 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.
METHVEN LOCATION
LEAP AHEAD METHVEN
Every parent loves to see their children happy. So do we!
