Wellington preschool wins Supreme Business Award

5 December 2011

Wellington preschool wins Supreme Business Award

On Friday 2 December Maria Johnson, Owner and Managing Director of Little School, a private preschool for children aged 2-5 years, took out the Supreme Award at the Her Greater Wellington Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2011.

Little School was established nine years ago by Ms Johnson and employs 26 highly skilled administrators, caregivers and teachers. They have four preschools located in the Wellington suburbs of Khandallah, Churton Park and Kelburn which educate over 180 children.

Little School continues to grow and expand, and Ms Johnson attributes their success to her team’s dedication to developing their children’s active exploration, thinking and reasoning in a supportive and caring environment.

“It’s a real honour to win this year’s Supreme Award, the past nine years have been all about the children and providing quality preschool education in New Zealand.”

Sally Connell, Franchise Owner of Her Business Wellington and MC of the Awards, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, said: “Maria was chosen for her passion and commitment to ensuring each child that attends Little School develops a love of learning and gains the skills that will help them excel in life.”

The competition judges were Kirsten Ferguson from Duncan Cotterill Lawyers, Rachel Farrant from BDO New Zealand, Mark Russell from Ideas Shop, Tony Hope and Annah Stretton from Stretton Publishing.

The judges praised Ms Johnson for her focus on her staff, saying it was a key component of her business’s success, enabling Little Schools to stand out in a highly competitive market.

Proving that business excellence can be achieved no matter the size, Ms Johnston also received the award for Best Small and Medium Enterprise.

Ms Johnson’s future plans for Little School is to continue building expertise and experience throughout her team and to open a new preschool in Auckland next year.

The Her Regional Awards celebrate the success of businesswomen by recognising those who have excelled in business practice. Regional winners now go forward to compete in the National Businesswomen Awards later next year.

The Her Greater Wellington Businesswoman award winners:

• Best New Business: Helena Tobin / Wendy Jasper – Underground Markets
• Best Small and Medium Enterprise: Maria Johnson – Little School
• Most Inspirational Role Model: Genevieve McLachlan – Adaptive Technology Solutions NZ
• Outstanding Corporate Leader: Bev-Anne Jennings – Westpac NZ
• Outstanding Professional Service: Delia Gill – Quaycorp IT
• Sustainable Practise Award: Karen Boyes – Spectrum Education
• The Supreme Award: Maria Johnson – Little School

There are 18 other Her Business Networks around New Zealand, who promoting and administering their Her Business forums independently.

About the Her Greater Businesswoman of the Year Awards

The Her Businesswoman Awards celebrate the success of New Zealand women, and focuses on those who excel and stand out from their peers in business practice.

ENDS

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