Our teachers are all fully qualified and we maintain excellent staff:child ratios, ensuring children in our centre get the care and attention they need to thrive. Our low staff turn-over provides consistency for our preschoolers and is testament to the warm, welcoming environment we seek to nurture, not only for the children but those who work with them too.
I began my career at Albany Preschool as a student, completing 16 hours per week as part of my Early Childhood Education studies. After graduating with my degree, I was offered a full-time teaching position. Over the years, I had the privilege of serving as an associate teacher, guiding and mentoring students. In 2020 I was given the opportunity to step into the role of Head Teacher, and then in 2025 i was asked to be the Centre Manager of Albany Preschool, a position I am truly enjoying and finding both rewarding and challenging. Albany Community Preschool is a wonderful place to work, and I feel fortunate to have begun my career here, surrounded by such a supportive and dedicated team.
Apart from being surrounded by a great and passionate team of teachers, I too enjoy being around the children. It is also great to get to know the families as we feel privileged to be part of their children’s lives and learning. I love it when the children occasionally visit me in the office to share the news of their worlds - I do hear some interesting and entertaining stories.
Kia ora, my name is Wendy (Di) Wang.
My journey in education began in China, where I worked as an English teacher for six years after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Applied English. Those years gave me a strong foundation in understanding children’s curiosity, resilience, and creativity.
After moving to New Zealand, I pursued a Master of Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education at Auckland University of Technology. Through my practicum experiences in Auckland centres, I gained a deeper appreciation of Te Whāriki and the multicultural context of Aotearoa.
I believe every child is a capable and unique learner, and my role as a kaiako is to provide an environment where they feel safe, respected, and empowered to grow. I see teaching as a partnership, not only with children but also with whānau. Listening to parents’ aspirations and weaving those into children’s learning journeys is very important to me.
I am grateful to join this preschool whānau, where the supportive team, natural environment, and strong sense of community create a place where children can thrive. I look forward to growing together with tamariki, whānau, and fellow kaiako.
Kia ora,
My teaching career began in 2005 when i started relieving for a local agency on the North Shore. I began studying my bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education in 2008 and graduated in 2011. Since then i have been working as a Qualified Kaiako on the North Shore. I love learning and have continued studying Te reo Maori and have completed levels 1,2,3 and 4. I am keen to share my knowledge with the tamariki and my fellow kaiako in my practice.
I am passionate about working with preschool tamariki and love being part of the wonderment and excitement of thieir many first experiences. I believe that all tamariki should be respected and valued as indiviudals in a safe and stimulating environment. I also believe that learning should be fun and i enjoy working as a team.
Being surrounded with children makes me feel young at heart and I love coming into preschool each day knowing the children are developing and learning in a loving, nurturing, safe, fun and healthy environment. I enjoy listening to the children’s imaginative stories and conversations and I feel like I learn just as much as them some days! The children are so lucky to have a beautiful natural environment to play in, pets to pat and real bikes to ride around on.
I love that Albany Community Preschool is a happy, positive, supportive environment for children as well as teachers and whānau, which makes it a pleasure to come to work. I really enjoy working with the children in our Globugs extension group, which is our readiness for school preparation programme. It’s a time to focus on and develop individual children’s skills, which is very rewarding as a teacher.
I have always wanted to be a teacher/ kaiako at Albany Community pre-school ever since my son attended here 19 years ago. I love the large open outdoor area which invites open-ended play and a chance to explore the natural environment and the inside space which offers such a variety of learning opportunities within a holistic learning environment.
I became an early childhood kaiako because I enjoy the companionship of learning and working alongside tamariki. I take great delight in seeing children extending their interests through active exploration and watching them grow into unique individuals. I whole heartily believe that all tamariki learn in their own way and in their own time.
As an educator, I strongly believe that building strong relationships and partnerships with my fellow kaiako, parents and whānau is crucial to tamariki’s overall development, growth and well-being.
I am a qualified teacher with a Bachelor of Education (ECE). First Aid level 2.
I have been working at ACP during my gap year at university, where I have completed three out of four years of a psychology degree. I enjoy every day spent in the centre, watching the children explore and learn about our world and how things work. Seeing their excitement and appreciation for everything, no matter how small, reminds me to do the same and be grateful for every day. Working here is full of positivity, encouragement and laughter, and each day I learn just as much from the children as they learn from all our teachers.
Kia ora, my name is Tracy. I am so happy to be a kaiako at Albany Preschool. I truly enjoy spending time with the tamariki. I believe that respecting tamariki is the foundation for building reciprocal and meaningful relationships. Strong relationships between tamariki, whānau and kaiako help create a safe, stable and responsive environment for tamariki. This nurturing environment supports children to gain confidence and empowers them to develop self-directed learning skills.
After completing my Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Eduction in China, I moved to New Zealand, where I earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, a Master of Education and a Graduate Diploma in ECE. I am now a qualified NZ Early Childhood teacher.
I feel truly grateful to join this centre. I love the supportive team, the natural environment and the warm, loving atmosphere we share here. It's lovely to be part of the Albany Community Preschool whānau.