Emma Taylor and her passion for child service and uplifting families has changed the lives of all ages. The support and help she offers to the whole whānau is life-changing. Working for Plunket, she’s able to guide both children and parents throughout their early developmental stages – also gaining connections and relationships to further support whānau through any struggles or hardships.
Emma Taylor began her career in Early Childhood Care through schools, from teaching primary school children how to babysit, to working on assessments with high school students. Then, 11 years ago, she was offered a job at Plunket, and as a mother, she was thrilled. Not only would she continue working in Early Childhood Care, but she could also directly support families who had gone through the same ‘life-changing’ experience she had.
Working at Plunket, Emma works with nurses and oversees a child’s life from 5 years old in Te Puke, Welcome Bay, Eastern Bay, and surrounding areas. Emma assists families with anything, whether it is sleep, settling, behaviour, development, maternal health, medical health, nutrition, or anything else. Giving whānau the help they need and teaching them how to deal with any difficulties they might have.
Emma is especially passionate about her job because Plunket is unique to New Zealand – the only kind around the world. Meaning she has a special opportunity to support New Zealand families and change children’s lives forever.
After getting referred by midwives and nurses, children can be registered with Plunket – like most New Zealand babies. Then, families are assisted until the child goes to school. Even if a family moves, their records can be passed onto other Plunkets nationwide. According to Emma, “The whole job is about relationships”. Connecting with parents and other child well-being and care organizations – she forms meaningful relationships with everyone she meets.
Emma stresses that the support she offers is not to take over parenting responsibilities, but to help parents on the same journey she went through. The child’s well-being services will not command a parenting style, instead providing aid that caters to each situation. Such as respecting and aiding multiple cultures because Te Puke is a society of many cultures. Everybody is respected and their differences are adjusted too.
Working at Plunket, Emma says is a very rewarding job, that she is incredibly passionate about. Her job is never boring, with the wide range of support people need means she is always doing something different. From holding a toddler’s hand as they go to the dentist, or teaching people choking hazards and safety–saving young lives.
Recently, Plunket and Emma Taylor have begun establishing new experiences for families in Te Puke – especially after COVID-19. A new experience Emma and Plunket have been organizing a Coffee morning to set up, where parents can meet up for coffee. At the same time, their children can play together—allowing connections to be made between all ages, as well as a break from childcare.
Along with the coffee mornings, Emma Taylor is passionate about bringing new experiences to Te Puke, so children can get a rich childhood and whānau be involved in a range of experiences.
Making strides and committing her time to the Te Puke community, Emma Taylor advances Plunket’s goal to
Help New Zealand whānau thrive
Plunket Offical website
Emma Taylor’s passion for young lives and families has permanently changed Te Puke–making Te Puke a better place for families to prosper.
If you are expecting children or already have children who are not registered with Plunket, you can go check out Plunket Te Puke or go on the Plunket website.