Zander van Weerden

Kia ora, I have worked here for almost 31 years. Before getting into early childhood, I was a sewing machinist but I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher since I was at school. It wasn’t until a friend, who worked at a centre, asked if I could be a relief teacher and knew there was no going back. I worked my first 16 years in the over-twos room before moving to the under-twos. I love it. I love looking after tamariki.

I look after my grandchildren outside of work; they are my life. I love to learn about what helps children, I have a passion and drive to know more about early childhood, so I do a lot of research in my spare time.