Little Minds Early learning Centre

Our Little Minds team

We are a dedicated and passionate team consisting of 5 Qualified and Certified ECE Teachers, 3 teachers in training and 1 unqualified support staff. Our Teachers and staff have all been carefully chosen, not only for their qualifications and experience, but also for their passion to make a positive difference in the lives of the children we teach.

I have been living in Te Awamutu for nearly 7 years now and I just love everything about the place! I have 3 grown children, all of which are married or engaged. Two of them are teachers and the other one is a nurse. I also have 3 beautiful grandchildren who are VERY energetic and enthusiastic about life. Hayley, my youngest granddaughter is also in the Koru room at Little Minds. I am fortunate that we all live in TA as we do spend a lot of time together.

The other loves in my life are my animals. I have 2 small dogs, 3 pigs and 2 sheep. They all have unique personalities and worm their way into one's heart!

Kia Ora, my name is Emma Sands and I am a Qualified and fully registered ECE Teacher, the Head Teacher in the Koru room and also the Assistant Manager at Little Minds.

I grew up in Te Kuiti, moving out of home with Scott when I was 19. We have called Te Awamutu home for the past 13 years and we have three children, Ryan, Brooke and Chloe.

I have become a bit of a runner and recently completed my second half marathon.

I have an absolute passion for working with the under two's age group, I love nothing more than to be a part of them reaching milestones, both big and small. The pride and happiness they show is like no other.

Tena Koutou Katoa

Ko Motakiora Te Maunga

Ko Mangaokewa Te Awa

Noo Te Kuiti ahau

Ko Comrie Tooku Whaanau

Ko Els Toku Mama

Ko Gary Toku Papa

Ko Emma Tooku Ingoa

Kia Ora Whaanau my name is Lynley

And I am a Qualified and fully registered ECE Teacher and the Head Teacher in the fern room.

I was born in Papakura, South Auckland but I moved to Cambridge with my Mum and siblings at the age of 5.

I have a beautiful daughter Jemma who attends the local high school, she is the joy and love of my life.

I have a wonderful partner Matt and we are the best of friends. We live in Te Awamutu with our doggo Stuart and our tonkinese cat William, they are very spoilt.

We love taking Stuey to the lake and beach and enjoy these moments as a family.

Professionally I have been an early childhood Teacher for 12 years now, it is a career I fell into, but not suprising as I come from a family of teachers. I am passionate about teachign and I love creating inviting spaces that create a sense of wonder for your children. Thank you for entrusting me to care for your tamariki.

Kia Ora Tatou

Ko Maungatauturi Te Maunga

Ko Karapiro Te Awa

Noo Cambridge Ahau

Ko Vivien Hall Tooku Mama

Ko Pinkerton Tooku Whaanau

Ko Lynley Tooku Ingoa

Kia Ora Whaanau my name is Linda

And I am a qualified and fully registered Teacher in the Koru room.

I grew up in Hamilton with my parents and two older brothers.

I moved to Cambridge when I married Paul and together we have two sons, Zack and Rhys.

Currently we are all still living together with Zack's partner Hanna and their little boy Vaiden, who is my very precious Grandson.

I have worked in ECE for the last 23 years in different roles and have loved every step of my journey working alongside tamariki, loving them and watching them grow and learn.

Kia Ora Tatou

Ko Maungatautari Te Maunga

Ko Waikato Te Awa

Noo Kirikiriroa Ahau

Ko Linda Tooku Ingoa

Hi I’m Jess, one of the qualified teachers in the Fern room. I have a real passion for supporting children to grow and flourish into confident and happy individuals. I love seeing the children develop a sense of wonder when exploring our world, achieving tasks that they have set themselves and creating a world of magical and imaginative play. In my own time love to spend quality time with family and I love to explore the outdoors in the weekend.