​Margie Blackwood started one of the earliest Pre-schools in Auckland. She went to look for childcare for her daughter, as circumstances required her to return to work as a nurse.  She could count on one hand the number of services available and of those, she was unable to find a good fit for her young family.
Margie went home and pondered that she could provide a programme for very young children herself.  The priority for a small baby is safe, nurturing and informed care rather than education.  The caregivers need to have knowledge about the development and needs of the very young and be able to quickly identify when all is not well with a baby.  Paediatric nursing provided an excellent back drop for Margie to start a service in her own home, licensed for children under the age of 2 yrs.  In May 1988, Kids’ Kampus opened its doors.
It didn’t take long for a challenge to arise.  On turning two years of age, children had to leave Kids’ Kampus and enrol in another service – of which there were not many.  So a few years later, the adjacent property was purchased and Kids’ Kampus was then able to provide seamless Preschool care for children from birth to around 2 years of age in Koru House and 2 years through to 5 years of age in the adjacent Kauri House.

Margie’s background is wide and varied, including the following:  New Zealand General and Maternity Nurse, a Certificate in Community and Social Work, Intermediate Certificate in Counselling, Bachelor of Education and Psychology, Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Diploma Montessori - London and New Zealand Registered Teacher.
She also works with a range of charities that Kids’ Kampus also supports and where she feels she can make a valued contribution in sharing her particular skills and experience.  Her interests include health and well-being within the community and working to provide education and life skills in areas of deprivation.

Today, Margie is the mother of 4 and the step mother of 3 adult children and Nonna to 9 grand-children