Karori early learning centre

Kia ora e te whānau, ko Olivia toku ingoa, I am part of the Childspace whānau and currently manage our Karori Centre for infants & toddlers. A few of our core values of respect, relationships and a deep love for nature coincides with my personal ways of being and doing which authentically supports the love and passion.

I have the role of Kaiwhakahaere. I am a big lover of playfulness, being outside and enjoying deep connections with those around me.

I have been working in the ECE profession for ten years now, throughout my teaching journey I have taught all ages, however I have spent most of this time teaching infants and toddlers.

A few of my personal core values include growth, connection and wholeheartedness, these values drive me to lead growth and change, aspire for excellence, foster respectful relationships and lead and teach with my heart and soul.

Kia ora, my name is Sarah and I am the Kaiwhakahaere tuarua – assistant manager at both Childspace Karori and Childspace Northland.

I studied at Victoria University of Wellington and graduated in 2015 with a conjoint degree of a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education. I’ve recently started postgraduate study through Te Rito Maioha New Zealand, working towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Infant and Toddler Learning and Development. I believe that respectful care and education for our infants and toddlers should be at the centre of everything that we do and I’m passionate about building trusting, reciprocal relationships with our tamariki and their whānau.

I grew up living throughout New Zealand and also spent time living overseas as a child; but I’m a Wellington girl at heart. I love to travel, and am always on the lookout for new places to jet off to. In my spare time I enjoy catching up with friends and family, exploring coffee spots around Wellington and walking the many hills.

Kia ora, My name is Jess. My Childspace journey started at Ngaio Childspace in 2012. I travelled around the world and worked at other centres before deciding Childspace is where my heart is and returning to the Childspace whānau here at Karori in July 2018. I gained my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) through Canterbury University.

My teaching philosophy is based around the theory that children will thrive in an unhurried, safe, secure, positive and respectful environments, built on positive relationships. This philosophy is based from theorists Emmi Pikler and Magda Gerber. I strive to create this for the tamariki I work with and ensure we have fun doing so.

A little more about me, I grew up in Nelson before making the move with my now husband to Wellington in 2012, since then we have purchased a house in Hataitai and are enjoying renovating it together. I love spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and getting creative. Please feel free to come say hi and have a chat, I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your whānau more as you begin (or continue) your journey here at Karori Childspace.

Kia ora my name is Gaynor, and I have been a teacher here at Karori Childspace since the beginning of 2004; soon after graduating from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood.

Originally from Dunedin, my family and I have also lived in Auckland, Invercargill and Christchurch before settling in Wellington in 2001.

I am passionate about providing respectful care and education for infants and toddlers, and ensuring that they have as many opportunities as possible to explore and connect with nature.

I am married to John, and we have three grownup children – Megan, Matt & Chris.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood from Victoria University in 2007 and have since gained my full registration.

I have a wide range of experience working with Infants and Toddlers as well as Preschool aged children. I am extremely passionate about building relationships with nga tamariki and their whānau that are respectful and authentic.

A bit about me… I have lived my entire life in Wellington and could not think of a better place to call my home.

I have an amazingly independent daughter, Chloe who is my world. In the weekends we love spending our days immersed in mother nature whether it be going on adventures within our beautiful city or chilling out having tea parties at home in the garden.

Kia ora! Ko Josh Allen toku ingoa. I am one of the kaiako within the toddler environment at Childspace Karori. I started my teacher journey here, back in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. I am also thoroughly enjoying studying a Bachelor of Education at Victoria University of Wellington, where I co-founded and run the club VUW ECE Quality.

This is a support, mentoring and advocacy group for ECE students within the wellington region. My passions stem from the outdoors, where you will often find me exploring the forest, relaxing at the beach or playing sport at the park.

I also love art, travel, carpentry/woodwork, gardening, cooking, fires and new experiences of any kind. These interests directly influence my teaching practice and my way of being with the tamariki. I am devoted to enhancing the mana of the tamariki of Aotearoa by supporting them through respectful interactions and a positive attitude.

Kia Ora! My name is Jessie and I am a nursery teacher here at Childspace Karori. Originally from Auckland and Palmerston North, I have always had a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of tamariki and their whānau which led to me moving to Wellington in 2017 to pursue this, completing my Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood in 2019.

I strongly believe that all tamariki are capable and competent, and that it is crucial for us as kaiako to provide those opportunities to grow and nurture their abilities through respectful and trusting relationships.

A little more about me; I love the performing arts, especially singing, playing music, and dance. I also like to experiment around with lettering and love spending time with friends, especially over anything food related!

Kia ora, I am Jaya Sapna. I joined the ranks of provisionally registered teachers after finishing my degree in Early Childhood Education from Victoria University of Wellington in 2018. I firmly believe in the pedagogy of Ako - a Maori concept which means reciprocal learning and acknowledging the way that new knowledge and understanding can grow out of shared learning experiences. Therefore, I quite enjoy working alongside kaiako (teachers) and tamariki (children) to facilitate a shared learning environment.

My strengths come from whanaugatanga (a sense of family connections and kinship) - learning from children and adults alike, and from teachings on the lines of the Theorist Vygotsky, who believed in learning from a more knowledgeable other.

I have been working in the ECE teaching space for over six years now and bring with myself a wealth of exposure from over two dozen day care centres across the Wellington region. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, doing mantra meditation and going on spiritual retreats with my husband, Mukesh and our two boys, Hrshikesh and DeepKrsna.

I was born and raised in Iraq. I have a degree in Agriculture Science and managed a florist and landscape designer business for 5 years in Amman, Jordan. I moved to New Zealand in 1995 with my husband, and 2 daughters.

I began working as a reliever at Childspace in 2004 for 3 years, then I set up my own business for 3 years. In 2008 I returned and became the cook at Karori Childspace, preparing a variety of nutritious and well-balanced meals for the infants and toddlers. Since 2013 I began teaching full time in both the nursery and toddler rooms and am now a key teacher in the toddler room. I also love cooking and flower arranging.

I especially love spending time with my family and my daughters.

Kia Ora whanau! Ko Emma Ludeman tōku ingoa. I have recently joined the Childspace whānau after moving here early this year from Hawke’s bay. I have just started my training to gain my degree in Early Childhood, but I have been working alongside tamariki for the past 5 years. I love watching children learn and grow, seeing them explore all the little treasures we have to offer and letting them be their true selves. I can’t wait to continue my Childspace journey, getting to know all our beautiful whānau and tamariki! In my spare time I love going home to visit my family, traveling the countryside playing indoor bowls with my friends and going to speedway all while trying to fit in my study!

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ki te taha o tōku pāpā, nō Ingarangi ōku tūpuna, Ki te taha o tōku māmā, nō Kānata ōku tūpuna, I tupu ōko mātua ki Rotorua, I whānau ahau ki Heretaunga, Ko Ōhāriu tōku kainga, Ko Adam tōku hoa rangatira, Ko Caitlin tōku tamāhine, Ko Lauren Ryan tōku ingoa, Ko ahau te Tumuaki o Childspace.

Kia ora! I am Lauren, previously the centre manager of our Karori centre I took on the role of Principal at Childspace Early Learning Centres in 2019 as I returned from maternity leave with my little girl who attends Childspace Ngaio.

I was first captured by early childhood education in 2006, when I was a volunteer at a Nursery in England, and it has been my passion ever since. I returned to New Zealand to gain my qualification and completed my Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood in 2009, and my Master of Education in 2015, both through Victoria University of Wellington. I have always had a love for learning, and joy that can found through learning no matter what age you are. Since becoming a parent myself I also have a strong dedication to ensuring our communities can enhance the mana of whānau surrounding children. I have always had a particular enthusiasm for teaching infants and toddlers due to the important and fascinating learning that takes place for this age group. I am inspired by Emmi Pikler's approach and Magda Gerber's parent philosophy which include (as many of you know) principles of respect, trusting relationships, free movement and unhurried care and play moments. Reggio Emilia is another key inspiration for my teaching. Along with strong relationships, the features of this educational approach include promoting a positive image of the child, investigating 'big ideas', listening to a child's hundred languages and creating pleasing environments for children to learn in.

I am originally from Hawke's Bay but have lived in Wellington since 2007. My husband and I live in Johnsonville with our daughter, cat and dog.

My role as Tumuaki (Principal) is to oversee our four Childspace centres supporting the kaiwhakahaere and all kaiako in their curriculum implementation, professional development and management of the centres. I am based at our home office but am often found at one of our centres and I thoroughly enjoy getting to know each kaiako and tamaiti in our Childspace whānau. I also facilitate a variety of educational workshops and mentor teachers and leaders throughout New Zealand. I have a strong interest in the concept of ako - teachers and children learning from each other, inquiry based teaching and learning, and pedagogical leadership.

You’re welcome to contact me on [email protected]