Hello and Hallo, my name is Helen Keck and I´m originally from Germany but have been living in New Zealand since the beginning of 2018. I live with my partner Dave, our dog Eva, our cat Biene and our horses Calida on a Dairy farm in Waipu with 350 cows.

Animals and especially horses play an important part in my life. Horses were the reason why I came the first time to New Zealand in 2017. During this time, I learned how to live and work together with horses but also with every living being on a partnership level. My horse Calida was a wild horse when i got her. She showed me and is still showing me how important it is to respect her how she is, give her the time she need and trust her but more trust myself. Through her I have be growing more and more confidence and believe in myself.

I believe building a trustful and respectful relationship with the children, their parent and whānau is important to help the children to reach their fully potential. If children feel safe, they start to follow their interests and needs and can grow to a confident Explore and Learner.

As you can hear, I love animals but also nature, especially in New Zealand. Most of my days I spend my time with my animals in nature or I try to kick a ball in to a goal with my Bream Bay woman team. If the weather is not so good and I have to stay inside, I like to listen to music, paint, be creative or just reading a book.

My favourite pastime with the children is to explorer, tinker, experiment, being creative, being outside, ever sort of art and messy play or just listening to them and finding out what their view of the world looks like.

I am enjoying working with such an awesome team, parents, whānau and amazing children here at Wellsford Preschool.I am thankful that I can be part of your child’s learning journey and part of our wonderful Preschool family.