Playtimes HK Magazine Summer 2019 Issue | Page 40

education Woodland Pre-School “Love, care and respect,” words to live by from Adam Patterson, the new head of Woodland Pre-Schools T hings change, things grow, and that’s certainly been the case for Woodland Pre-Schools. When the first Woodland Pre-School opened on Caine Road in 1978, who would have thought that 40 years later some 60,000 children under six years of age would have passed through its eight campuses? Last year the family-run business became part of the Cognita family of schools. 38 www.playtimes.com.hk Formed in 2004, Cognita encompasses 73 schools across eight countries. Each school is as individual as its students, but with a common purpose: to create an inspiring world of education. Originally from Australia, Adam left in 1992 - in theory for a year. Stints teaching in the UK, Kuwait, Malaysia (Penang and KL), Shanghai and Singapore followed. Prior to joining Woodlands, Adam was Head of Early Years at Australian International School, another Cognita school, in Singapore. During his time there he was instrumental in opening an Early Years Village, which educates 350 children aged 18 months to five years, and an Infant Care Programme for babies aged two-18 months. Adam is passionate about early years education and strongly believes in the principles of love, care and respect,