Most people give up finger painting, puppet shows and building blocks by the time they are five years old but one Whangarei woman has stuck with it for a while longer and is retiring from teaching 3-5 year olds after 40 years.
Helen White, 66, has been juggling the care of kids, cats and roses and on Friday celebrated her retirement from Hora Hora Kindergarten with the children, their parents and her colleagues.
Her colleague, Fiona Douglas, said that Mrs White will be missed for her enthusiasm and her great concern for the children in the kindergarten and their families.
Working at Hora Hora Kindergarten has been a different experience to other kindergartens as many of the children she teaches speak English as a second language.
Ms Douglas said, "over the years she [Mrs White] has built relationships with the families and given them a sense of belonging, and support".