About Us

Local Stacey Gallagher opened Richmond Preschool in February 2017 and since have been gradually improving and updating the environment to make it inviting for all who visit as well as a quality, interesting and fun place for the children to learn and grow.

As a passionate early childhood professional, Stacey has been teaching and leading in early childhood settings for over 30 years. As the manager and a teacher, Stacey is committed to providing Nelson/Tasman Bay locals with a high quality environment for their children and which also supports the family.

We believe in a personal approach to early childhood education where each child is seen as an individual and programmes are developed to meet their personal learning and developmental needs and wants; where the input of families into their children’s learning is welcomed and included in our programme and where every child has equal opportunities to develop to their own maximum potential. We also believe in ensuring that children experience an environment where they can explore, try things out, be creative and learn through their play while supported by professional, engaged, happy, amazing teachers.

The central part of our philosophy is all about respect and we ensure that we use this as a basis for all that we do for and with the children. As early childhood is the most important stage of every child’s learning and development, we want to provide the best possible environment, programme, resources and teaching team for the children in our care so that they meet their potential.

Our team

Stacey Gallagher – Manager

Our team is led by Stacey who is the owner and manager of the centre.
Stacey is a qualified and certificated early childhood teacher. She has been teaching and leading in early childhood for over 30 years and is a mum to three now adult children. Stacey is absolutely passionate about the difference she can make for children and their families while they are going through the early childhood years.

Sam Gibbons

Sam joined our team in February 2018 and is a qualified and certificated teacher. She is a mum to two sons and has been working in early childhood since 2010. Sam loves being a part of the children’s early childhood journey at Richmond Preschool and getting to know our families and community.

Megan Bond

Megan joined our team in 2019 and is a qualified and certificated teacher. She is a mum to three children and has over 20 years teaching experience, having taught in both South Africa and New Zealand. Megan has a huge passion for children and loves watching them grow and become confident learners.

Marie Dickson

Marie joined our team in 2021 and has been working as an early childhood teacher since 2010. She is a mum and stepmum to four adult children. Marie is excited to work in a preschool where the tamariki are at the centre of what we do every day and where she can be the difference in the lives of the tamariki and their whānau.

Rachel Foskett

Rachel joined us in August 2021 and has been working in early childhood since 2015. She is a mum to three children, and brings an abundance of experience to our team. Rachel loves to see how she can contribute to our teaching team and affect the lives of the children and families at our preschool.

Shanlea Boyd

Shanlea joined us in January 2024 and is a qualified and certificated teacher. She has been teaching since 2016 and is a mum to two daughters. Shanlea loves supporting tamariki to reach their full potential and become confident, lifelong learners.

Kate Schroder

Kate joined our team in November 2024 and is training to obtain her qualification in early childhood education. She has been teaching since 2022 and is passionate about children’s learning and development.