Testimonials

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To whom it may concern,

It has now been over a year of having your amazing furniture in our Early Childhood Centre. (Our previous furniture was unusable through arson on our building)
I just wanted to say thank you. It has worn so well, looks almost as good as new - on most items. (However, if it does start to look bad, a sand and polyurethane will bring it back to new).
The form stools are the best things ever. We don't have lots of children with crushed feet from sharp chairs. Lots and lots of children can squeeze together.
We had a visiting teacher comment about how natural our room looked. We just love the functionality of it all, the look, the feel, easy to clean, and solid.
thank you.

Maureen Perry,
Ahipara Sandhoppers ECC – July 2015

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To Whom It May Concern,

Over the past two years I have been working closely with Bruce Davison & Darren Engelbricht from Naturally Wood in the design and development of our own early childhood furniture range exclusive for our Centre's.

I have found Darren to be absolutely fantastic as far as this specialized role is concerned. He listens to what ideas I have and with all his and Bruce's experience and of course their expertise these ideas become a reality.

For high quality furniture that reflects early childhood in a respectful way I would go no further than to Naturally Wood.

Sue Stevely-Cole,

Owner and Founder,
Bear Park

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It’s my pleasure to endorse Naturally Wood as an innovative cutting edge company where creativity, thoughtfulness and inspirational ideas are every day occurrences in their work with clients. Kids’ Domain has been a customer of Naturally Wood since 2003 when we first encountered their unique approach.

Since then the team at Naturally Wood have worked intimately with the management and teaching staff at Kids’ Domain to inspire the ongoing development of our indoor and outdoor learning environments. Their management and staff have continually exceeded our expectations in design and innovative approaches, providing solutions, offering alternatives, and challenging us to think beyond the usual to the exceptional.

Visitors to Kids’ Domain comment on the aesthetically beautiful natural environments that have been created inside and out, the village style outdoor spaces with retreats, open spaces, and challenges. The indoor art studios, the outdoor workshop, the stage area, the tree house, the magic garden with bridges, water wheel and pond, the tiny water falls flowing over river stones, are all features we are proud of. Thank you Naturally Wood for supporting us as we have crafted Kids’ Domain over the years.

Julianne Exton,
Manager,

Kids’ Domain Early Learning Centre – December 2013

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To Whom It May Concern,

Naturally Wood were engaged to remodel the outdoor play space in Whare Pukeko on the Unitec Campus in 2010. They were awarded the contract because of their innovative ideas, not just a fix and fiddle approach.

The work was completed in a prompt manner and within the budget that had been agreed. The workmen were professional and incredibly thoughtful around the children. The disruption to our children’s play area was kept to a minimum.

The entire contour of the land was changed and consideration was given to developing gross motor skills without bikes, resulting in a tyre hill with a wide slide. The children have to climb quite high to get to the top and this great for both upper and lower body strengthening.

Trees from the old playground were incorporated into the new design and we have an oversized outdoor armchair in a quiet, protected space that is perfect for contemplation.

Moving the sandpit to the back of the playground and having it set into the ground, not above it, has reduced the transporting of sand all over the play area and has reduced the cleaning workload of teachers. Children are also delighted with the water course that allows water to flow into a puddle area and then be recycled back up into the sandpit.

Darren Engelbricht from Naturally Wood has a sound understanding of the theory behind physical, social and emotional development of children and deep knowledge of current theorists in early childhood education. Because of his knowledge, Darren is able to see a much bigger picture than the average early childhood teacher who is not trained in design.

Naturally Wood have also designed furniture to meet our specific requirements and we have been delighted with the results.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Naturally Wood for any form of design and build and would be happy to have potential clients come to visit our Centre to see the work first hand.

Marlise Shadbolt,
Centre Manager,
Unitec Early Learning Centre Inc.