About Us

Country Wonders

About Us

Country Wonders

Who We Are

Country Wonders early learning service is developing its own farmyard with children able to go on excursions across the 10-acre setting. Children participate in gardening and the produce is prepared, cooked, and eaten by the children.

Meet The Team

Our Kaiako/teachers are chosen for their dedication and experience, to provide a warm, caring, and supportive environment for families/whānau. A developmentally appropriate programme catering for the needs of your child is provided in a fun-loving unrushed atmosphere and the centre’s curriculum is based on the Ministry of Education’s Te Whāriki. Our centre provides for children from 0 until 6 years of age or until they attend school.

Mel Lawton

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia ora koutou. Ko Mel Lawton toku ingoa.
I am the owner/manager of Country Wonders Early Learning Centre, and feel so privileged to be part of such an amazing team and learning environment. We are passionate about providing a home away from home for our tamariki and centre whānau. We believe children learn best in an unhurried, nurturing environment that supports children's interests and connects with nature. We are committed to working closely with whanau and the local community to provide the best possible care for our smallest community members. I have been teaching for over 20 years and am so excited to take on this management role now. I have 4 children and a large collection of animals. My most favourite thing to do out side of work is ride my horse and enjoy family time.

Claire Green

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia ora koutou. Ko Claire Green toku ingoa.
I am excited to continue my teaching journey here at Country Windows and getting to know you all. I have three beautiful children, Ollie, Thomas and Isabella and we live on our lifestyle block in Loburn. I have a passion for early childhood education. In particular I believe in the benefits of nature and outdoor play and Country Wonders is the perfect setting for this. I also love music and literacy. I am so excited to be part of our Country Wonders whānau.

Thank you.

Kate Bowman

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia ora! My name is Kate Bowman, and I am the Head Teacher in the preschool room at Country Wonders. I graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and have worked in preschools all over North Canterbury. I am a North Canterbury local, having lived here most of my life, and have settled into Rangiora with my partner AJ, and our beautiful daughter Zadie. We love exploring this wonderful part of New Zealand, and get out into nature most fine weekends for walks and picnics together. I love nature play, and am passionate about child led learning, believing that children learn best through exploration and building connections with people, places and things.

Annmarie Best

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia Ora Whānau, my name is Annmarie Best.
I have my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood and have been teaching for over 11years. I live in Cust with my two boys Logan and Jaxon and hubby Jay.

Providing respectful and nurturing environment is my passion where strong relationships between tamariki, kaiako and whānau can be formed. I believe in freedom of movement and discovering the world around us through natural experiences I am excited to continue my journey with Country Wonders while we explore and extend our discoveries through nature play together and welcoming our community in.

Nga Mihi

Kristyn Musson

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

I have been teaching for many years and hold my bachelors degree in early childhood as well as my National New Zealand Nanny certificate. Safe guarding and child protection certificate and current first aid. I have three grown children of my own and a wonderful husband, where we are based locally in Okuku on our lifestyle block.

I am passionate about nature-based play that promotes learners with the skills and knowledge that provide enriched play and learning through, Papatūānuku treasures and educating children to grow their own veggies and fruits while teaching kaitiakitanga, through helping take care of animals, their gardens, and their environment. I believe that children learn best when they are relaxed, happy and have an environment that is truly their own playground to explore, learn and be creative in that is unhurried, safe and enriched with nature. I have a holistic approach and create provocations for children to explore through being the third teacher in their learning world as they all learn at their own pace.

I look forward to supporting your child on their own individual journey here at County Wonders.

Aroha nui Kristyn.

Naomi Graham

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia Ora! My name is Naomi am a qualified kaiako here at Country Wonders Early learning centre! I have been teaching in Loburn for the past three years after completing my teaching degree in 2020. I have a passion for supporting the learning and growth of all tamariki! I have a huge heart for making each tamariki feel loved and cared for and ensuring they enjoy their home away from home! When I'm not teaching I enjoy a bit of photography and videography and heading on any adventure or roadie! I would love to meet you and your whānau, please feel free to come and say hello!

Lara Rigter

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

Kia ora, my name is Lara and I am a qualified and registered Early Childhood Teacher at Country Wonders. I graduated in 2012 with a Diploma of Teaching (ECE) and have been teaching in the North Canterbury community ever since. I have had a passion for teaching in Early Childhood from a young age and the importance of reciprocal relationships with children and their whanau has always been at the centre of my teaching philosophy. enjoy supporting children to follow their interests and learn through exploration of our beautiful environment, while also role modeling respect for people, places and things.

I live in North Canterbury with my partner and our two children. In my spare time I enjoy going on adventures with my family, spending time with friends and photography.

Natasha Murry

Teacher in Training | First Aider

Kia ora koutou ko Natasha Murray ahou but everyone calls me Tash. I have to two gorgeous tamariki that have brought me so much happiness that I have changed my career as a pastry chef and cake decorator to studying to become a registered ECE kaiako. Building relationships with the tamariki and their whanau is my priority. I believe it is critical to foster warm nurturing collaborative environments where tamariki are empowered to be independent to build their confidence to explore and take the lead.

My passion is everything nature play, I enjoy seeing tamariki engaged in open ended and sensory play where they can learn and explore at their own pace. also love baking and cooking with the tamariki and think it is very important to learn.

Tania Boocock

Qualified & Registered Teacher | First Aider

My name is Tania Boocock. I live in Leithfield with my husband and we have 3 grown sons. I am really excited to join the amazing Country Wonders Community and being part of such an amazing team of teachers.

First allow me to share a little about myself. Teaching is my life's passion and l gained my Bachelor of Early childhood Education in 2014. I am extremely passionate about children and believe that every child is special and unique and I strive to empower children to have a natural love of learning with a big emphasis on respect and independence. believe that through my role I am here to encourage, support and nurture every child in a kind and caring and positive way where children can thrive.

I enjoy spending time in the outdoors and my interests include jet boating, camping, fishing, bush walking, yoga, pilates and spending time with my family and friends. I am excited to begin this journey and look forward to meeting you all.

Testimonials

We moved our two children to Country Wonders to aid in the transition to school for our eldest and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. A beautiful and enriching environment for the children, with wonderful indoor and outdoor opportunities to explore, learn and play. The preschool has a strong connection to the neighbouring school, with many opportunities available to experience school life and ease the transition process for both children and parents. The children are flourishing in this centre. Thank you so much for all you do.

Wendy

Having my Child come home excited to tell me all the wonderful things he has done through the day is fantastic it just shows how everyone at Country Wonders makes such a great impression on our children.

Preschool Parent

Mel and the amazing teachers at Country Wonders provide the best environment for my girls. It’s a warm and friendly place filled with new experiences full of fun and learning. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this Centre to families – the indoor and outdoor spaces and the commitment of the kaiako and leadership make this a very special place.

Lally

Such a warm welcoming and natural environment country wonders is for our kids you couldn’t want anything better.

Preschool Parent

We feel truly grateful every day we send our daughter to Country Wonders. Mel and the staff are fantastic and we know that our daughter is receiving the best care possible.

Holly

I love how my child is excited to get to preschool in the morning it just shows how fantastic country wonders really is. He has grown wonderful bonds with his teachers which has made it a smooth transition for us.

Preschool Parent