When Linley Hatrill and her husband first set up Dunstan Educare in Alexandra, the early childhood education centre was in response to a pressing need in her own family. 

More than 20 years later, the centre is still a family affair, with one of Linley’s daughter’s working there as a teacher, and also very much a part of the wider whānau of the children of Dunstan Educare, both present and past pupils. 

“We moved here at the end of 2001,” Linley said. “I was a registered teacher and thought I would do some relieving, but there was nowhere to put my wee 12-month-old.”

After learning of many other families with the same difficulty, they decided to set up their learning centre.

“We went to the council and said, ‘we think this is something we need,' as I already had 12 families interested,” she said.

Linley says she has to turn down three or four families a week looking for early childhood education - “It’s devastating”. PHOTO: Supplied

Dunstan Educare has since seen more than 1000 children pass through its doors and the relationships that are formed were apparent when Linley and the Central App went to a local cafe for this interview. Almost every child, both pre-school age and older, who entered with their parents knew Linley and all made a point of catching her attention to greet her.

“It is very much about connection, knowing the children, knowing their whānau, and building on these relationships through learning experiences,” she said.

“As an owner and a head teacher, it’s really interesting to see it through my daughter’s eyes as a teacher here, and my grandchildren’s, who go here. It was always family, and from the feedback we get, it is really part of our children’s families too.”

Linley said the centre has a beautiful mix of children from around the world, with a high percentage of Maori children, “which is a real honour”.

“Our philosophy is that every child experiences an empowering curriculum that recognises and enhances their mana and supports them to enhance the mana of others.”

To listen to Linley and learn more about Dunstan Educare, check out The Outlet Podcast The Voice of Central podcast.