Rachel Jacobs....Owner and Teacher
I am truly excited and privileged to be starting this amazing journey alongside my husband Mornay and our two inspirational children, Kaylee and Max. Not to mention all the families who are yet to join our community at The Garden.
I have had a connection with children for as long as I can remember. I completed my Diploma of Early Childhood Education in Christchurch at the New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education in 2000. At that stage, in my 20 year old wisdom, I decided I would first try out being a nanny, kind of ease myself slowly into my new found career. However that easy ride was not to be as I had my first ‘real’ interview, successfully got the job and found myself amongst the fun, busy, sometimes crazy and certainly loving family of Jason Gunn, Janine and their three amazing daughters. What followed was an exciting whirlwind of teaching, caring, learning and growing as a person.
After this I moved back to Tauranga which is where I was born and spent most of my childhood. I spent the next few years in an amazing and inspirational centre in Greerton. Even though this was many years ago and my first formal teaching position I still to this day implement many of the strategies I learnt during my time there and it also helped form the beginnings of my personal teaching philosophy.
Next up it was time to spread my wings, overseas lands were calling. First stop was Australia, that was an interesting teaching experience, not exactly my favourite but I like to tell myself that every experience is valuable. However, I needed to go further, so without much of a plan, except the offer of an interview as youth crew onboard a cruise ship, I was London bound. What followed was six years working onboard various cruise ships, all over the world. Most of this time I could be found in the kids clubs, entertaining children from 2 to 8 years old, however after meeting Mornay who was the retail manager, I did give retail a go for a while, not exactly my finest moment. It seems I have a whole lot of patience for toddlers who can’t decide if they want the yellow cup or the pink cup but not so much for people who just can’t decide if they should buy yellow diamonds or pink diamonds! My husband moved me to the stockroom where my exceptional organisational skills were put to use!
Anyway, fast forward a few years, here we are settled back in New Zealand. A wedding, a house, a cat, a dog, another few years in a wonderful family orientanted early childhood centre in Te Puke and two amazing children later, we are ready for our next big adventure. My past experience and our children are our inspiration and we are so incredibly excited to bring this inspiration to the community of Omokoroa and Gate Pa.
Mornay Jacobs....Owner
Rachel and I met many years ago while working onboard cruise ships all over the world. The highlight of my ocean going career was setting up the brand new Celebrity Solstice and Equinox retail departments, managing 18 shops and 30 staff members. In 2010 we decided it was time to trade life at sea for ‘normal life’ on land. I have continued my career in retail and business management since we settled in New Zealand. I have also been learning all about the ‘Kiwi’ way of life which is quite different from my native South Africa where I was born and lived until I started travelling the world.
I have been very fortunate with the opportunities that New Zealand has given me. I started off managing Hallensteins menswear store in Bayfair and this gave me experience to understand the expectations of Kiwi’s from a service aspect and I am glad to say we succeeded with winning numerous customer service awards and manager of the year which resulted in an all expenses paid trip for Rachel and myself to Las Vegas.
It was not too long before Michael Hill Jewellers approached me and asked me to join their team of highly experienced business managers. During this time I was able to gain valuable experience on how to successfully manage all aspects of a thriving business.
Outside of paid employment I am also a trained volunteer Qualified fire fighter. I began that journey over in Te Puke and have continued on in Omokoroa as we settle into our new community. I love being involved so I have also joined the PTA at Omokoroa Point School where our children attend. So if I am missing from my office I may have taken off to a callout. (Or I’m building a hut in the garden, chasing a chook or unblocking a toilet that has been filled with toilet paper and socks!)
However my biggest success story to date would have to be our two amazing children, our daughter Kaylee and son Max. Becoming a father has changed my life in so many aspects but I am sure we can all agree that wanting the best for our children is at the top of our priority list! So with this in mind the dream of opening our own early childhood centre has become a reality. How we envisioned our own children spending the most important years of their whole lives, exploring, discovering, growing and learning, is now available to the community of Omokoroa, Gate Pa and beyond.
I know with my knowledge of management and Rachel’s unquestionable passion for children’s precious early years that The Garden Early Childhood Centre will successfully provide a respectful, loving, nurturing home away from home for your child/children. I will sometimes be found in the office doing the necessary administration duties; however you will mostly find me taking a break from the paperwork in the garden with many little helpers, stoking the fire in winter or in the sandpit making the biggest volcano we can.