Hi, my name is Danielle Fisher, and I’ve dedicated the past 20 years to the world of early childhood education – a journey that has taken me from passionate teacher to a manager, regional leader, and now, proud centre owner. Each chapter has shaped me in unique and meaningful ways, and I treasure these experiences as I build and nurture my own centres. I am currently the Co-Director of Stables Montessori Preschools in Canterbury.
Family is at the core of my world, and spending quality time with them is my greatest joy. I’m lucky to have a supportive and loving family – my husband Mathew and our two lively little girls, Mya and Harper. They have both developed a love for Irish dancing, so I am often cheering them on at competitions. I am also passionate about sports, serving as the President of our local netball club and managing a successful premier team.
Why did you enter the ECE sector?
I originally started as a nanny and found myself travelling to the USA for work. I enjoyed working with children so much that I decided this was the career for me. On my return, I enrolled in the Diploma of ECE at Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College and have never looked back.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching and Learning ECE, a Certificate in Leadership, and a Diploma in Montessori Education – a blend of qualifications that fuel my passion for innovative and heartfelt early childhood care. Originally from Akaroa, I’ve lived in Canterbury my whole life, calling Christchurch home since beginning my ECE career.
What inspired you to open your own ECE centre?
I am quite a driven person and from the first day I qualified it was always one of my goals to own my own centre one day. I am very passionate about early childhood education and truly believe that ECE lays the foundations for learning for all children.
I had worked in numerous Montessori Preschools, which provided me with some fantastic knowledge and experience, but I always felt that I wanted to do things a little differently. I had a desire to provide centres that don’t water down the Montessori method of teaching but that are based on a modern approach to Montessori, with strong focus on high-quality education and care for all children. I never thought in a million years I would be the Co-Director of 5 Montessori centres within 7 years!
I still have the same passion and inspiration and can see how our centres are positively impacting local communities, which is now also a big driver for me. What I love most is the relationships you make, along with the opportunity to contribute to positive outcomes for children.
What is the biggest challenge facing the ECE sector?
One of the biggest challenges facing ECE today is the current funding model and pay parity rules, which is creating financial constraints for centres. Staffing shortages is also a problem, and there is a widespread lack of qualified early childhood educators, which impacts on quality of care and learning.
Balancing regulatory requirements with creating engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments is a real challenge. Red tape and paperwork is taking over from teaching, creating burn out in teachers and management. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving early childhood education outcomes and ensuring equitable opportunities for all children.
What would you like to accomplish as an ECC executive member?
I would like to be part of changing the current negative climate around ECE. Even though things are hard right now, it is still such a fantastic sector to be in, and we need to keep that in mind. I also really like supporting teachers, owners and managers to achieve success whatever that looks like for them. As an ECC executive member I hope to use my experience and knowledge to make positive impacts for others that may be struggling in the sector.
How do you personally define business success?
ENJOYMENT: I love being a business owner and being in control of growing our business. I love the ups and the downs, because there really is never a dull moment. Being a business owner is challenging – you always feel like you have 100 balls in the air you are doing your best to just keep them there. Sometimes they all drop at the same time and other times they don’t. If you don’t love what you do this would be a very hard job to have.
INFLUENCE: If I make a positive impact in one child or teacher’s life, where I can inspire them to reach for success, then I feel I have been successful and all the hard work has been worth it.
What makes a great leader?
Passion for what they are leading, but also the ability to be humble and always see people first. Even though I might have to make decisions that is best for our business I always reflect on how the decision might affect others. Relationships are key to success, so you should always make time for people and try and lead with kindness. That does not mean you are not going to have to hurt some feelings along the way in the best interest of your business, but these times are made easier if you do it with kindness.
A great piece of advice I once received is ‘standing still is to fall behind’. If you don’t keep moving with the times and adjusting your business, then you risk falling behind. I remind myself of this every day in a sector that seems to change almost daily.
