A Day in the Life of a Little Doves Teacher Ruby Dale with Daniel Kim (left) and Jaxon Wang (right)
RUBY DALE - LITTLE DOVES TEACHER
buggies or build water slides for acorns, you just never know, and it all depends on what the children are interested in at the time. Families arrive any time after about 3:30pm and at 4:30pm
What did you study? Initially a Bachelor of Dance Studies
it’s time for me to head off. I usually spend a little time each
and then, last year, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early
afternoon working on documentation and reflecting and then
Childhood).
that’s me for the day!
What made you decide to become an Early Childhood teacher?
What do you enjoy most about your job? The children. This
I lived in London for some time after finishing my dance degree
period of their lives is so magical. They are full of so much
and worked as a nanny with two wonderful toddlers. I loved the
unique joy and wonder and I feel lucky to share in that.
time I spent with them and this led me to two further incredible nannying opportunities, here in New Zealand and also in Canada.
Have you had a special memory or success you would like to
There really is no such thing as a bad day when you get to spend
share? Every day there is something special to celebrate. The
it with young children, so I decided to make a career of it.
children are learning and growing so quickly; there are so many special moments I get to be a part of every day.
What does a typical day look like for you? I start my day at Little Doves just before 8am and set up the space in the Nikau Room
Why did you choose Kristin's Little Doves as a place to work?
(our space for children under two years old) ready for the day. Children, whanau and other teachers start arriving and we get
I was fortunate enough to spend one of my practicums here
right into playing: maybe reading some stories, watering the
teachers really cared about and loved their job, and how happy
plants, playing in the pretend kitchen, or digging in the sandpit.
and empowered the children were. It was clear that my values
We often meet all together to welcome everyone, sing songs,
really aligned with the values of Little Doves, so it felt like the
and talk about what we might get up to that day. Morning tea
perfect fit. I love that Little Doves is so innovative and always
is shared around 9am and lunch at 11am. When everyone’s
striving to do better.
during my study last year. I got to see how much the other
tuckered out after a morning of exploring and learning, it’s time for a midday sleep (not for me, I promise). The afternoon
Fun fact: My great-grandmother (Frances Gifford) was the
is just as open: maybe we’ll go for a walk in the quadruple(!)
headmistress of St Anne’s school - where Kristin began.
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