Our Team
Passion + Experience
OUR Team
CENTRE MANAGER
Kirsten Price
I have been working at Polkadots since November 2014 and in this time I have completed my Bachelor of Teaching through the New Zealand Tertiary College. During my training I was very lucky to experience contrasting centres in both the North and South Island and gained so much knowledge that has shaped me into the teacher I am today.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, singing and dancing (though not always very good...), being creative and getting outdoors and exploring.
Teaching is definitely my passion and I find great importance in child led play, allowing the child to explore the environment at their own pace to make sense of their world! I have a great passion for getting messy and creative, using te reo naturally within the environment and upholding tikanga values throughout our day.
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING ECE 2017
ADMINISTRATOR
Anna Armstrong
Kia ora, I am the centre owner of Polkadots and am incredibly passionate about the education and care we provide to every child to flourish.
We opened the the centre in 2007 and I have been very fortunate to see so many local children grow and thrive over the years. I absolutely love being at the Centre and engaging with our tamariki and whanau.
I live with my husband and 3 boys near Mt Lyford on a sheep, beef and deer farm. I play hockey and love watching my children’s sport too.
Education
DIPLOMA OF TEACHING ECE 2002
TI RAKAU TEACHER
Anna Crean
I live in Culverden and have completed my Bachelor of Teaching while working at Polkadots, I have been here since 2017.
I love sharing learning experiences with the children and building strong relationships with children, families and colleagues.
I love sport and spending time with family and friends.
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING ECE 2020
MANUKA TEACHER
Debbie Morgan
Kia ora, I am a qualified and certificated ECE teacher, passionate about teaching, caring and nurturing children at Polkadots. I live in Waiau with my husband and have 2 grown up children.
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, tending to my garden and being involved in the community in my spare time.
Education
Bachelor of Teaching ECE 2015
KOWHAI TEACHER
Brad Price
Hi, My name is Brad and I'm the teacher in the prep room. I'm a primary trained teacher with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning and a bachelor of arts in philosophy and classical studies. In my spare time I enjoy casually cycling, reading and a bit of gaming, as well as creating some pretty nifty things with Lego. I hope to bring an energetic, fun and enthusiastic perspective to everyday to help create exciting learning environments for the children
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING PRIMARY 2021
KOWHAI TEACHER
Abby Drayton
Kia Ora, my name is Abby and I am a primary trained teacher with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in Primary from the University of Canterbury. My partner and I live in Hawarden with our fur babies. I am originally from Christchurch but I moved out to North Canterbury in 2023, my favourite thing about living rurally is the sense of community and how lovely everyone is!
In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking and baking along with helping out on the farm my partner works on.
I hope to build connections with tamariki and whānau whilst also creating meaningful learning experiences that encourage creativity and self confidence.
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING - PRIMARY 2024
MANUKA TEACHER
Melissa Garreffa
Hi, my name is Milissa and I moved to Mt Lyford 2 years ago from Australia. I have been teaching in Australia for 10 years and have a three-year-old daughter. In early childhood I place priority on wellbeing, relationships and having fun! I think children learn best when they are following their interests and exploring. I can't wait to meet you all and become part of the team at Polkadots.
Education
BATCHELOR OF TEACHING 2014
MANUKA TEACHER
Biddy Lott
Hi, my name is Biddy. I live in Waiau with my husband Billy and three children Henry, George and Charlotte. We operate a contracting business and a beef farm. I have a large garden that keeps me very busy when I’m not teaching.
I have been apart of the Polkadots environment since 2007 teaching in both the Preschool and Nursery. I have a passion for Early Childhood Education and enjoy engaging with all the children and encouraging them to develop their knowledge, skills and interests.
Education
DIPLOMA OF TEACHING ECE 2007
TI RAKAU TEACHER
Tammi Body
I have been teaching at Polkadots since 2023.
I live on a farm near Waiau with my amazing partner Clint, we have 3 beautiful school aged girls.
I love spending time with my family, getting away for a weekend and watching my girls weekend sports.
I hope to make the tamariki at Polkadots feel safe in this environment and instil them with confidence and resilience.
Education
Will be looking at ECE training in the near future.
MANUKA TEACHER - Maternity returning April 20
Cheyenne Hearne
Kia ora, I have been at Polkadots since 2020. I have always been passionate about working alongside tamariki, so I decided to further my career and study Early Childhood through New Zealand Tertiary College. I'm currently in my third year of Bachelor of Teaching and thoroughly enjoying it.
I'm from Christchurch originally but completed most of my schooling in Nelson.
I'm currently spending most of my time in Big Dots but still get to visit the Nursery.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, trying new things and going to new places.
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING ECE 2024
MANUKA TEACHER - Maternity
Katie Jamison
Kai ora I'm Katie I live in Hawarden on a sheep and beef farm with my partner, Will & 4 children.
I've been working at Polkadots Preschool since 2012. After working for a year, I absolutely loved it and felt so passionate about working with the children so I then went on to studying by correspondence through New Zealand Tertiary College and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
I have worked in both the nursery and the preschool environments at Polkadots.
I have such a passion for the children and love working and learning alongside them as they explore and discover the world around them.
Education
BACHELOR OF TEACHING ECE 2017
TI RAKAU + MANUKA TEACHER
Taryn Werahiko
I started at Polkadots in 2024 and I am teaching in the under two room, Ti Rakau and Manuka (2-4 year olds).
I enjoy netball, horses and live on a dairy farm just out of Culverden.
Education
First year teacher in training Bachelor of Teaching ECE
RELIEVERS
Karen McKenzie-Philips
Bachelor of Teaching ECE 2005
Gemma Chick
Diploma of Teaching ECE 2011
Zoe Lee
Midwifery Training
Jo Smith
Bachelor of Teaching ECE 2007