Early Childhood Teachers - Childcare Centre

Our Team

Stephanie

(Director/Owner/Practicing Manager)

I have been a NZ Early Childhood Registered Teacher since 1993.

My passion is pre-school education. My belief is children in early years education learn best through play. Following their own interests and supported by teachers who are committed to excellence and fun.

I enjoy the complexities of running an early childcare centre, knowing that relationships and good communication are key to getting the best out of everyone.

I live in the local community with my husband John and our Jack Russell dog. I enjoy spending time with family, friends and exploring NZ when time allows.

John

(Director/Owner)

I opened the centre in 1993.

I come from an engineering background.

I enjoy the hands on involvement I have at the centre, making it safe and a well maintained environment.

It is a pleausre getting to know the children and families who attend the centre, watching the children grow and going off to school well prepared and joyful.

Te Atatu South Childcare Centre is a family centre, supporting it’s local community. I am proud to say our staff make sure it stays that way.

The Infant and Toddler's Teaching Team

Cara-Lee

(Under 2's Team Leader)

Hi, I am a fully registered teacher with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I have been at Te Atatu South Childcare since 2001. I am married and have three children who have all attended the centre.

I enjoy setting up the environment with experiences for the children to discover and investigate in their own time. I support the children by following their needs, strengths and interests.

I support and oversee the teaching team within our infant and toddler room while caring for the children.

Jess

Hi everyone, I am a qualified Early Childhood Teacher with a Bachelors degree in Education from the University of Auckland and I hold full teacher registration. I have been working in Early Childhood since I was 18 and one of my passions is creating learning stories and documentation.

I entered the profession after being inspired by my mother who has been involved in the Early Childhood community for over 40 years.

I really appreciate the play-based curriculum that Te Atatu South Childcare offers and the atmosphere that the freedom creates.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and watching our son learn and grow.

Sue

I am originally from South Korea. My husband and I came to New Zealand a long time ago and we have three young adult children who were born in New Zealand.

I have a background of Health Science and also hold a Grad-dip in Teaching (ECE) from Massey University. I have been working in ECE sector for several years and recently joined Te Atatu Childcare Centre.

I believe that education is about bringing out the potentials of a child and watching their knowledge unfold. Early childhood education is different from other forms of education as it shapes a child’s life and allows them to become the person they will be in the future. This is a foundation of my educational philosophy and from this, sharing the love of God with young children is priority in my teaching.

I love teaching and I am glad to be a part of the under 2’s teaching team.

Lauryn

Hi I’m Lauryn, I’m a recent high school graduate and I am wanting to pursue for a future in early childhood education. In 2022 I will be starting my training journey to become a certified early childhood teacher and learn everything there is to know.

I love working with children and watching them grow up and constantly change as well as all there different personalities evolve. I have always liked looking after younger children and knew that this was the perfect career path for me.

Outside of work I like to spend time with my partner and my friends, as well as experiencing new different activities and going to new places around New Zealand.

I’m very excited to be now about of the team 🙂

The Two-Year-Old's Teaching Team

Victoria

(Over 2's Team Leader)

Hi, I joined the centre back in 2005 when I started my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). After graduating with my degree in 2007, I went travelling around Europe for 18 months before returning back to the amazing teaching team and families at Te Atatu South Childcare in 2009. I then gained my full registration.

I enjoy working alongside the children at Te Atatu Childcare and watching them grow into competent and capable, social individuals. I love watching them in their play and listening to their conversations among their peers. I enjoy supporting the children to become socially and emotionally competent.

I also have a passion for working with children with special needs.

Outside the centre environment I enjoy photography, crafts and spending time with my partner, our friends and family.

I am the team leader of the teachers and children in the over-two’s area.

I am currently on maternity leave with my first child.

Karishma

Kia ora, I am a Fijian Indian who has lived in New Zealand since 1999. I live with my husband, two children and two dogs.

I am currently studying towards my Diploma of Education and working in our infant and toddler room, which I really enjoy.

Spending my days with the children is a gift. It is filled with opportunities to have and learn together. It is a privilege to be able to celebrate their amazing milestones, to keep them safe, provide them with love and encourage their learning.

In my spare time I love spending time with my family, doing housework and gardening.

I look forward to working with all the children and families and getting to know you all better.

I support and oversee the teaching team within this room while caring for the children.

Jesintha

Greetings to you all.

I hold a Certificate of Early Childhood Education.

I am very passionate about working with children. I enjoy setting up learning experiences for children to explore, play and most of all have lots of fun.

I have two children and I am originally from India. I look forward to working with you and your children.

Nishie

Hi, I am a South African national living in New Zealand since 2006 with my husband. I joined the team at Te Atatu South Childcare as a volunteer in 2010. At the end of 2015, I completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at NZ Tertiary College and became fully registered in 2018.

My patience, warmth, and caring disposition, combined with the many years of being a home-based caregiver have inspired me to train and work in the early childhood education and care sector. I am a dedicated, motivated and resourceful teacher who aspires for all children to be successful learners.

I believe it is a privilege to teach and learn alongside such a wonderful age group of children.

The Three-Year-Old's Teaching Team

Jacintha

Hi, I am Jacintha. I migrated to NZ from Sri Lanka in 2002. I live in West Auckland with my husband and two adult sons. I have been working in the ECE sector for the last 15 years. I received my Bachelor of Education from University of Auckland in 2005.

I joined the Te Atatu South Childcare team in September 2017. I am working in the over two’s area, being the key teacher for our three year old group.

I am an advocate of learning through play and committed to providing a stimulating environment to the children in my care, to allow them to engage in play in their own way.

I love gardening and reading in my spare time.

The Four-Year-Old's Teaching Team

Rebecca

Hi, my name is Rebecca and I have my Bachelor in Early Childhood Education and have my full teacher registration.

I live with my husband and two school aged children, who also attended Te Atatu South Childcare Centre.

I have a passion for mat times and sharing fun experiences with the children.

I am the key teacher for the four year olds and I look forward to supporting your child with their transition to school.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my children and our dog, baking, gardening, crafting and watching Disney films.

Erin

Hi, I am the key teacher for the 4 year old children. I have been working at Te Atatu South Childcare Centre for many years. During this time I studied at NZ Tertiary College completing my Diploma in ECE before gaining my full teacher registration. I am married to Simon and have two school aged children Sarah and Jason who are well known within our centre whanau.

I really love our little family-orientated centre and over the years have seen many lovely families come and go. I enjoy working within a dedicated team of ladies, who like me, have been a part of our centre for many years – teaching, caring and looking after all of our children everyday.

At home I enjoy watching my husband and son play softball and my daughter dancing. I enjoy zumba, running, baking and reading.

Support Team

Justine

Hi, I’m the centre cook. I have worked at Te Atatu South Childcare since 1997.

I enjoy preparing the children healthy, nutrious meals that they enjoy. Nothing makes me smile more than their reactions – “Yum, I love …..” “Thanks Justine, that was nice”.

In my down time I enjoy being out in the garden and spending my time with my adult children.

Kelly

Hi, I’m in charge of the administration for Te Atatu South Childcare. I started doing this part time after I had my first child in 2004.

It is a lively place to work with the children’s constant happy chatter in the background.

I enjoy reading, baking and spending time with my family in my free time.

Rhonda

Hi, I have been coming to Te Atatu South Childcare Centre twice a week for over 15 years. I teach the children ways to keep their bodies healthy through music and movement. I also incorporate awareness of what the children eat, promoting healthy foods, and sharing basic knowledge about how the body works.

We’d love to get to know you!

Now that you know a little bit about us and our early childhood teachers, we’d love to get to know you!

Get in contact with the team today, and become part of the Te Atatu South Childcare whanau!

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Open 7.30am-5.45pm Monday to Friday