Our Board - Country Kids - Education and Care

Country Kids is governed by a Board of Trustees.

The Board has overall responsibility for the aims of Country Kids Incorporated: providing educational facilities and promoting and maintaining Early Childhood education for all families living in and around the Moutere district. The Board focuses on the wider organisational purpose, direction and operation of Country Kids.
The Board consists of elected members representing the community it serves. Elections take place at the Annual General Meeting each Spring. We are fortunate to be supported by an active and caring Board.

Our Board of Trustees

Anna Haddon

Chair

Kia ora, I’m Anna. I joined Country Kids Board in 2017, after time on the social and fundraising committee. Our children Maggie and Archie adore Country Kids and the staff who work here. The Centre has been an important place for my family since it opened in 1987 – with my parents heavily involved and my younger brother one of the original enrolments! Country Kids is at the heart of the Moutere community. It gives our kids a wonderful start in life.

When I’m not teaching at Motueka High, I can be found planting trees, cooking or trying to organise a fundraiser.

Hayden Jacobs

Trustee

Hi, I’m Hayden. I am a licenced Carpenter with 17 years’ experience. I was brought up and trained in Masterton – I had a brief O.E, then children and marriage slowed me down. I moved to this area in 2012 with my wife Michelle and our two daughters Juliana and Sophia. I spent the first year here as a stay at home dad. Both my girls came to Country Kids, which gave us an amazing introduction to the community. I joined the Board in 2015, to give back to the Centre that gave so much to us.

Marie Silcock

Trustee & Minute Taker

Hi, my name is Marie, I am a Practice Nurse and I have served on the Country Kids Board since 2017. I was brought up in Lower Moutere, but ventured out of the area for a few years. Eight years ago I was drawn back to the district with my husband Nathan. We have two children, Tommy is 4 and attends Just4Kids. My eldest Ethan is at Upper Moutere School. Tommy adores Country Kids and it’s teachers. I love the community feeling of Country Kids, it’s like a big family!

When our family isn’t working or at preschool/school we enjoy the outdoors and family adventures. We like to make good use of all the fantastic family friendly tramping tracks in our backyard.

Harriet Cowie

Trustee

Hello, my name is Harriet Cowie. I joined Country Kids Board in 2018. My husband Michael, daughter Eleanor and I all became part of the Country Kids community when Eleanor started in PikoPiko. We moved to the area in 2017 and enjoy the friendly environment of the Moutere Hills region.

I have a background in Education, beginning in an Early Childhood creche for five years and then going on to Primary School teaching for many years. In my new work arena, I am still heavily involved with our youth and our community. When Eleanor allows us free time, you will find me in the gym or working on the house.

What parents are saying about us!

Well my child is off to school and again I am so grateful for the fantastic environment of Country Kids. She has loved every minute of J4kids. You guys make so much difference to how our kids grow, develop and learn. Thanks heaps for the time my daughter has spent in your capable hands. Best wishes

Thank you so much for your wonderful care of our children over the last few years. They have very happy memories of their time here, and the special relationships made with their teachers, and the other children. We’ve always been so impressed with the fun, energy, and genuine interest and caring of our children. There is always a high level...READ MORE

To Country Kids Well this is the end of an era – about 6 years long. Our children have been through the doors and onto school well prepared. I know they have had the very best of care and help to prepare them for life at school – and beyond. Thanks so much for all your hard work, time and...READ MORE

To all the wonderful staff at Country Kids, You all have been AMAZING in helping our kids grow & learn & experience such great fun opportunities over the last 10 YEARS You are all AWESOME & ROCK! We will miss you all so much

To the wonderful staff at Country Kids, How do you say goodbye? But more importantly, how do you say thank you? Country Kids has played a significant part in the Early Childhood Years of our two girls. The growth and confidence we have observed of our girls has been priceless! We have enjoyed and loved everything about Country Kids from...READ MORE

Hello, my 4 year old (Jaylee) started Country Kids 2 weeks ago. Friends had told me about Country Kids “check out County kids, it’s amazing”, “the teachers are wonderful”, “the kids will love it”, so I knew Jaylee and I were in for a treat when we visited Country Kids. What I didn’t expect was the warm welcome we received...READ MORE