Growing Kiwi Gardeners
Anita Croft
Education & tutoring
Stop wishing the garden would work and start growing with confidence.
Helping early childhood teachers turn gardens into places where children grow, connect, and learn for life without overwhelm or guesswork.
Who I help
I help early childhood teachers confidently create meaningful garden-based learning experiences—without needing to be gardening experts.
The problem I solve
I provide solutions for early childhood teachers who are overwhelmed with the idea of gardening with a group of enthusiastic children when their own garden knowledge is lacking and they're not sure what to grow, or when.
My point of difference
I’m a qualified early childhood teacher with 20+ years experience in the sector so I understand how young children learn. I have been gardening with children since 2018 so understand how overwhelming it can be to garden with a group of 3 and 4 year olds. I “speak” early childhood and understand a teacher’s reality
My niche market
Early childhood teachers who want to garden with the children they teach, but don't have the skills, knowledge or confidence to do so. Early childhood centres who want support for all of their teachers to garden with children so that it doesn't fall on one teacher to lead the programme.
Key benefits
Teachers feel confident and capable to garden with children Children are harvesting what they planted themselves Gardening becomes part of the centre curriculum - not an extra burden
Problems my clients avoid
Tamariki missing out on real-world learning about where food comes from Gardening stays theoretical Garden remains unused Teachers are left thinking, “I wish we’d made it work"
About
I offer practical, curriculum-linked garden guidance designed for early childhood teachers in New Zealand who want to bring gardening to life in their centres, without overwhelm or guesswork.
Products and services
Gardening with Tamariki Online Course - available to early childhood teachers nationwide Gardening with Tamariki In-person Progarmme - available to early childhood centres in Christchurch and surrounding areas Professional development for early childhood teachers and centres on gardening with children - offered online or in person in Christchurch Young Gardener Flashcards in English and Te reo Māori Young Gardener Memory Game
Why I am a member
I joined NZ Businesswomen because I came from an education background, having been an early childhood teacher and tertiary lecturer, I wanted to meet and network with business-minded women to help me change my mindset from educator to business owner. It has been the best thing I could have done for myself personally and for my business.
Testimonials
"The course has been a great incentive and confidence booster to support our tamariki to be involved and in using our gardens as a third teacher." - Kirsty Petitclerc, Little Wonders Cromwell "I have watched your webinar over the last few evenings and I'm just so impressed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us. As a primary school teacher, your messages made sense for older children as well. I loved the practical tips, as well as the links that you had made to Te Whariki, which again linked in so many ways to the NZ Curriculum." - Leigh Cowan, Manchester Street School "I absolutely LOVED your webinar the other day - so much content and ideas that we can use with our tamariki and for personal use. It's really meaningful and valuable what you do. You are also great at speaking, engaging and professional" - Callie Norman, Arrowtown Preschool "The Gardening with Tamariki Online Course is packed with practical advice, research, and easy-to-follow activities linked to Te Whāriki, this course has been a genuine game-changer for my teaching." - Kate Preston, Teacher, Oamaru Kindergarten
Skills
- Communication skills
- Early childhood education
Qualifications
Master of EducationVerified
University of Waikato, 2016
Bachelor or Teaching and Learning (Hons)Verified
University of Canterbury, 2004
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in ECEVerified
Christchurch College of Education, 2003