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Our Staff

Our staff are registered teachers who have many years’ experience working in Early Childhood Education and a love of working with children!

We have both full-time and part-time staff at the Preschool which ensures we can offer the best teacher-to-child ratios for your child.

As well as being trained Montessori teachers, our staff bring a range of skills that include dance, art, music, mindfulness, numeracy and literacy that add an extra dimension to the children’s daily experiences.

Our staff at Ficino Montessori Preschool are registered teachers who have many years’ experience working in Early Childhood Education
Our staff at Ficino Montessori Preschool are registered teachers who have many years’ experience working in Early Childhood Education and a love of working with children!
Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool staff, Kenna Zachinskaia

Kenna Zachinskaia

Centre Manager

I’m originally from Moscow, Russia, and I used to live in Italy for a while. I came to ECE deliberately after having a successful career in corporate business, as I realised I wanted to follow my passion.

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Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool staff, Lesley Liang

Lesley Liang

Registered Teacher

I came from Guangzhou, China and have been living in Auckland since 2011. I studied Finance and Marketing in Auckland University of Technology and gained my Bachelor of Business Degree in 2015.

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Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool staff, Jack Zhang

Jack (Qimeng) Zhang

Registered Teacher

My name is Jack, and I am thrilled to join the Ficino family! I am originally from China but have spent seven years in this beautiful country. I studied history and linguistics; however, I decided to pursue

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Daven Chen - Registered Teacher

Devan Chen

Registered Teacher

Kia Ora! My name is Daven Chen, I was born in Auckland and raised in a market gardening family. Growing up, I have always loved nature and enjoyed free play on the farm! Initially, I wanted to be an architect. I completed a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in 2020. During my studies, I also became fascinated with philosophy, mindfulness and ...
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Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool staff, Ashleigh Hunter

Ashleigh Hunter

Teacher Aide

Ashleigh joined the team at Ficino Montessori Preschool back in 2021. Ashleigh moved to Auckland after high school and has been working with children ever since. Prior to joining the team, she worked

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We invite you to visit us to see our programme in action

Book your visit here

Our Gallery

Take a look around our preschool, click on an image to view larger.

A student talking to their teacher at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Auckland
Two children smiling in a gallery picture at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
The backyard area gallery image at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
Children and a teacher playing and interacting at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Auckland
Two children, one with a hardhat on at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
Children standing at a tub doing exploratory play with a teacher at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Auckland.
Four children playing in a sandpit at a private Montessori preschool in Mt Eden Auckland
A group of children seated at a table with a teacher at a private Montessori preschool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
Children in a classroom sitting at a table with a teacher talking at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
Two children playing with pinecones and a birdhouse at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool, Mt Eden, Auckland.
Children outside playing and doing the laundry at a private Montessori preschool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
A child drawing on a whiteboard at a private Montessori preschool in Mt Eden, Auckland.
Child squeezing a lemon at Ficino Montessori Private PreSchool in Mt Eden, Auckland.