Libby, Briar and Gemma
Gemma Smith
Bachelor of Resource Studies
Licensee / Director
In 2008 Gemma and Mike Smith identified a real need for quality early childhood care services in the Queenstown area and they set about locating a site on which to build and establish their own childcare center. Four years later Little Rockets was born (now known as Gems).
Gemma comes from a solid background in environmental planning, practicing as a Resource Management Planner and co-owning a local planning consultancy for a total 10 years prior to venturing into the world of Early Childhood Education.
Gemma and Mike's goal was to establish a centre with a natural and homely environment, a place where children, their families and teachers want to be. That initial goal has been achieved in spades. There's no resting on the laurels here though. This go-ahead local couple are totally committed to continuing to improve the service provided and make it the very best.
Gemma has huge respect for the dedication and passion that the Gems team brings to work on a daily basis. She is proud to say that "their level of commitment and outstanding work ethic is so evident in the standard of service that has been established since we opened. We hope you and your children enjoy the team as much as we do."
In her own time Gemma enjoys sharing her passion for horse riding with her two daughters, savouring rare moments of one on one time with husband Mike, gardening, cooking and being with family and friends who fill her cup. Gemma also holds a number of volunteer roles within the community, which she gets a lot out of.
Olive, Tash, Glenn and William
Natasha (Tash) Doyle
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning ECE, Diploma of Teaching ECE, Registered Teacher
Education Director
Tash realised at an early age that working with young children was one of her real strengths. This led her to begin her studies in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in 1995 culminating in her gaining her ECE degree in 2007 . Tash travelled widely and experienced ECE work in many developed countries before settling back in her native Queenstown and helping owners Gemma and Mike to set up Gems (Little Rockets back then) in 2012, and has remained a key leader in the team since then.
She is greatly inspired by the Reggio Emilia and Pikler philosophies on which our centre is based. She strives to operate Gems in a way that listens to the children and their families, motivating learning through a play based curriculum, in an environment that is homely, natural, stimulating, safe, warm and fun. She loves working with our passionate team of teachers who continually inspire her to achieve the very best for the children and their families.
What Tash particularly loves about early childhood is that you never stop learning, and this in turn deepens her enthusiasm for ensuring that Gems provides the best early childhood education possible. Ensuring that each child who leaves Gems is confident, happy and has the learning skills they will need for the rest of their life.
Outside of Gems Tash loves spending time with her children, William and Olive, and partner Glenn, being in the garden at home, pilates, family adventures to “the Island” (being Stewart Island) and going off grid at Piano Flat reconnecting with nature.
“Great leaders ruthlessly protect their people. Encouraging connection, collaboration and collective ownership, nurturing a safe environment of trust, respect and family. ”
‘Wow O Wow’ and Louise
Louise Allan
Background in Customer Care and Event Management
Artistic Equine Administrator
One of our few true "Locals", Lou joined the Gems team in 2016, and quickly became a valued, supportive team member. Louise is Lana's right hand lady, and the smiling face you will see when you walk through the doors at Gems Lake Hayes.
Louise has an amazing eye for aesthetics and is a creative soul at heart, leave it to Louise and the place will look wonderful. Her back ground in event management has seen her naturally fall into the role of chief event coordinator for all of our functions, in between keeping the administration side of things at Lake Hayes on the straight and narrow.
In her own time, Lou is an avid and accomplished equestrian rider. Louise's love for four legged family members extends to canines, Seraph (Jack Russell) will often be tucked under Louise's desk when it is too cold to stay at home. Louise dabbles in artistic charcoal commissions, when she finds the time!
Aino, Tomi, Quinn, and Niko
Aino Kokkonen
Bachelor of Business Administration, Information and Communication
Accounts Administrator
Aino is our well-organized Administrator who is usually your first point of contact at the Kowhai Centre. You can see her either concentrating on something on the computer or chasing for missing parent signatures, keeping the Gems world very much steady at the wheel. Aino has been steadying the ship since 2017.
Aino’s calm, can do attitude is something to be admired and appreciated. Teamed with her great sense of humor and kind nature - results in a winning influence in a growing organisation.
Aino came to New Zealand in 2010 after travelling in Australia and studying in Finland and Spain. She fell in love with the natural beauty and the friendly lifestyle of Queenstown, met a lovely local lad …and the rest is now history as they say! Now she enjoys spending time with her young family and friends, and various outdoor activities and walking tracks around the area. Both of her children have fun at Gems while mum is at work.
Sarah Fletcher
B
Enrolments Administrator
One
George and Lana
Lana Johnston
Bachelor of Teaching ECE, Diploma of Teaching ECE, Registered Teacher
Centre Coordinator Rata
Lana has over fourteen years experience in Early Childhood Education. Her real passion lies in working with infants and toddlers and she believes that the teaching and learning environment is always a reciprocal one where both children and teachers can learn something from each other every day. Lana has been with Gems since we opened (as Little Rockets) back in 2012.
She is certain that using a respectful, nurturing, primary care giver approach within a play based curriculum allows this special age group to thrive in the early childhood setting. She has a huge interest in brain development in children and practices the Pikler and Reggio approaches of respectful caregiving, encouraging natural motor development and the influence of a well developed and managed environment. By using her extensive knowledge in these areas it allows her to support children with their own unique learning needs.
Lana loves the natural, home like setting the whole team have created at Gems and endeavours to provide the children with as many recycled, up-cycled and real life resources to explore as possible while they are here.
Kelly and husband Brad
Kelly Watkinson
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education (ECE), Registered Teacher
Centre Coordinator Kowhai
Growing up in Australia from a very young age Kelly knew she wanted to work with young children and their families. After completing a Bachelor of Early Childhood and a Bachelor of Arts she moved with her husband Brad to Bristol, England and after 5 years back to Australia. Kelly has over 17 years’ experience teaching in a wide range of teaching positions, including worked as a special needs teacher and early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders. These experiences cemented her belief that all children can achieve success if they and their families are given the right kind of guidance and encouragement. After a few holidays to Queenstown Kelly decided to make the move across the ditch. Luckily Brad and their three legged dog Trip were keen to move too and they now proudly call Queenstown home.
Kelly is a firm believer that children learn best through a play based program where teachers support and foster children’s play. When Kelly joined the Gems team (back when they were known as Little Rockets), she was drawn to the centre's philosophy of encouraging children to develop as independent thinkers, who hold on to their curiosity and embrace the love of nature. Kelly loves working with the teachers at Gems in her role as Centre Coordinator and supporting them to achieve the best for the children.
In the winter Kelly will be found snowboarding up the Remarks. In the summer Kelly is very busy with her plot at the community garden where she aims to grow all her own vegetables, or on the lake stand-up paddle boarding. Kelly also loves travelling around this beautiful country and abroad.
Amy, Bridget and Simon
Bridget Jopson
Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma Primary and Early Childhood Education. Full Teachers Registration.
Centre Coordinator Miro
Bridget began her teaching journey within the primary sector, but once having her daughter, and experiencing first-hand the magic of learning from infancy; she was inspired to begin her early childhood teaching journey. When it comes to teaching infants and toddlers, Bridget is motivated by the current research regarding the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. “Like trees, children need strong foundations to grow” Brainwaves Trust NZ. Bridget believes these foundations are based on respectful and trusting relationships, concepts prevalent throughout the Pikler and R.I.E teaching pedagogy.