Rangitira - Our Management Team
“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper and re-imagines the world.”
Tracey and Johnny - Centre Owners
Tracey's enormous heart and Johnny’s fun, nurturing and go-get em’ attitude makes them the perfect owners for our two beautiful centres.
Tracey was a successful midwife of many years, she bonded with mums and babies and saw their struggles when it came time to look for childcare and go back to work. She is famous for saying "we are modern mums with stone age babies", and always wished there was a way to match the realities of working parents with a kinder and more nurturing solution. She had visions of orchards and gardens, natural toys and furniture, good old-fashioned values, and home-grown, home-cooked meals. She dreamed of teachers that were passionate learners, advocates for children, partners with parents, and brought their best selves to work every day.
Johnny, being a busy builder and father to their seven children made the perfect partner in crime to bring the vision to life! Months of hard work has certainly paid off when you see the result of his mahi!
Daynah - Operations Manager
+ Centre Manager (Job Share)
Daynah has been on this journey with Old MacDonald’s since it was a tiny seed of an idea and feels privileged to have watched it grow and flourish in Newstead. Since it’s opening in January 2016, she has experienced a variety of roles, from teaching in every room, wearing the chef’s hat, working in admin and, most recently, the role of 2IC. She feels grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to learn and grow her practice across the board and manage the Morrinsville centre – back in her home town, where she was born and grew up. Growing up, you could find Daynah up at the crack of dawn heading down the farm to feed the bobby calves that she was determined to save before heading off to school. She was privileged to enjoy our beautiful countryside alongside her seven siblings, swimming in creeks, climbing the tallest trees and connecting with animals big and small. She is now making it her mission to ensure that so many other children across the Waikato get to experience this childhood too. Daynah’s drive and independence is eclipsed only by her genuine, loving heart. She truly cares for people, animals and the very spirit of Old MacDonald’s, and all three are safe and protected in her capable and loving hands. Daynah is looking forward to working in partnership with you and the amazing team of talented child experts, who will hold, love, care for and treasure your child.
Lia - Centre Manager
(Job Share)
Lia grew up in Whaingaroa (Raglan) but now lives in Tauwhare with her partner. Lia has fond memories of her own childhood, swinging from trees and doing bombs off the bridge and is grateful for her whaanau for encouraging risk-taking and trust in self. Lia attributes these experiences as an empowered child to her intuitive teaching approach today. A strong connection to the ocean lead Lia to spend time as a swimming teacher, igniting a passion for partnership in learning with children. Although, Lia always suspected she might end up in education as both of her parents are secondary school teachers. Lia was surprised to find her heart was in Early Childhood Education and feels privileged to be apart of the most formative years of a child’s life.
Connecting children with Papatuuaanūkū and animals is at the heart of Lia’s personal teaching philosophy, which is why she was so drawn to become a part of the Old MacDonald’s whaanau. Lia is passionate about creating a space for children that nurtures creativity, resilience and trust in self, as well as speaking to the urges and patterns of play that are unique to each child. Lia sees children as experts in their own learning and strives to foster relationships built on trust and respect. She feels that, as kaiako, it is our responsibility to uphold and nurture the child’s wairua and consider the child in the context of their whakapapa, acknowledging that children do not come to us alone, but with their whaanau and tuupuna within and alongside them.