Northland early learning centre

Kia ora e te whānau, My name is Asrya (or Az) and I am the Kaiwhakahaere (Centre Manager) here at Childspace Northland. I have a particular passion and interest in the care, development and education of infants and toddlers. I have studied RIE and Pikler and continue to study Pikler advanced courses in the aspiration to become a Pikler Professional. I have worked in ECE for over 10 years in New Zealand and China. I lived in China for 11 years and came back as COVID arrived in New Zealand- I promise I didn't bring it with me! I enjoyed my time in China, but I am loving being back in New Zealand with a refreshed sense of appreciation for our beautiful country. I love being in the Childspace whānau, along with my son Izzy here at Northland. The Childspace philosophy is something really special and unique, something I immediately felt connection and alignment to. It is truly a magical place to learn and teach. In my free time I am an avid crafter or out and about exploring the wondrous city of Wellington. I whakapapa to Gisborne, although I have spent 11 years living in China. I really enjoy travelling and learning about other cultures, languages, histories, and food! Ngā mihi mahana, Asrya

Hello everyone, my name is Xiaoming Ji (姬啸明), but you can call me Sara. I joined Childspace Northland in February 2022.

For the past three years I have worked as a student teacher and then a qualified teacher with infants and toddlers in Auckland and Wellington, which has enabled me to develop professional growth and improve my confidence. I am inspired by RIE/Pikler philosophies and Reggio Emilia approach. Thus, respect lies at the heart of my teaching philosophy, and I believe relationships are the key to everything. I believe that children learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places, and things. Without respect, it is impossible to establish relationships. Therefore, I strongly agree that a warm, caring, respectful and trusting relationship will benefit for children’s learning and development, the involvement of families and my teaching and learning practices as well as working collaboratively with colleagues.

I have a master’s degree in Engineering Studies, but from a very young age, I always loved babies. I have natural empathy and compassion for children, so it seems like a natural progression for me to pursue a new career in Early Childhood Education. In June 2021, I graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) from New Zealand Tertiary College and currently I am holding a provisional practising certificate.

I was born and grew up in Dezhou, a small city in Shandong Province, Northern China. I am the only child of my family, so I am loved and cared for all the time no matter how old I am. One of my hobbies is to try my grandma’s recipes and share this lovely food with friends. I also enjoy reading and watching movies in my spare time and shopping and travelling sometimes.

Kia ora, my name is Lukas. I’m originally from the UK and have been living in Wellington for close to 17 years. I’ve been teaching in early childhood for about eight years on and off (still learning as I go). I am a passionate, empathetic and enthusiastic kaiako and I very much enjoy seeing the rewards of being a part of a child’s development. Growing up with younger siblings I always had the tendency to have a caring nature which I think follows through to my teaching practice and philosophy. Being an avid football player I believe physical movement should be a focus on in a child’s development, along with culture and identity. I feel these are both huge parts of a child’s development and I feel it’s important for children to know where they come from and what their background is. I believe it should be expressed and celebrated.

Kia ora Childspace whānau, My name is Jiin, and I'm a qualified kaiako with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching. I feel that my life mission is to spread love, and working with children is my favourite way of spreading love. Working with children has offered me the opportunity to become more conscious of how I am in each moment. My experiences have shown me that children feel before they understand. When I tune into the energy of love and tranquillity, children seem to feel it, and trustful relationships blossom from there. The RIE, Pikler and Reggio Emilia approaches have been an inspiration for my relationships with children. Respect and love are at the centre of these approaches, and I've experienced so much magic shining through such relationships. I believe that my role as a kaiako is guiding our little people through their beginning of life's journey they feel safe and confident to explore this magical world in their own ways and pace. My other passion include yoga and exploration of Mother Nature.

Kia Ora, my name is Bobbi-Jo and I am pleased to be joining the Northland teaching team for the next 6 months. I have been teaching at Childspace since 2015, first at Wilton, then Ngaio, and now here at Northland. I am originally from Winnipeg, Canada and began my teaching journey in early childhood when I was 17 as a ‘summer job’, and was instantly hooked. I was drawn to this wildly creative and engaging profession, and loved learning alongside children in respectful and fun ways. I decided to pursue my studies after high school in teaching. I attended the University of Winnipeg and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Developmental Studies (with a specialisation in Special Needs and Inclusion), and attended Red River College to attain my Diploma in Early Childhood Education. I taught in Early Childhood Centres in Canada for many years before deciding to see where else this teaching journey could lead, and thus, ended up in Aotearoa. I find my interactions with tamariki, whānau, and my fellow kaiako forever humbling, and I feel privileged that I can work alongside such passionate and dedicated people. I continue to marvel at the wonder and play of children and their unfolding capabilities, while keeping respect at the forefront of our practice. I appreciate our spaces, our rhythms and rituals, and the way we engage with Papatūānuku, our community, and one another. In my free time I enjoy travelling, trekking, being outdoors, snowboarding, painting, and having a picnic breakfast on any one of Wellington’s beaches. I adore new experiences, challenges and living life with a light-hearted nature and a laugh!

Tēnā koutou katoa, my name is Emily. I am a qualified kaiako with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood Education). I have had the privilege of working in beautiful ECE services over the past 5 years in Wellington and Tauranga, learning from many talented and passionate kaiako. Early childhood education is a creative, loving and fulfilling environment that I am proud to be a part of. I believe children deserve the opportunity to explore, create and thrive in beautiful spaces, spending their time in the natural world marvelling over its wonders. I have interests in nature play, art, and movement. I believe in empowering children to strengthen values such as respect, courage, perseverance, and joy. I am passionate about treating children with respect and dignity keeping respectful, responsive relationships at the forefront of my teaching. I enjoy exploring the outdoors, surfing, art, op shopping, spending time with friends and talking with my family in Tauranga.

Kia ora whānau My name is Huan Huang (黄欢 ) and I am also known as JoJo. I don’t mind if you call me either of the names as I value them both as my identity. I am originally from Chengdu, a beautiful and historical city in Sichuan province in the south-west of China. It is well known for its spicy food and lovely pandas! I spend a lot of time outdoors, you could easily find me on a hiking trail, on a bush walk, on the beach, or on a DOC campsite during the weekend. Connecting with nature for me is the most beautiful way to connect with myself. I came to New Zealand in 2019 to challenge my life and spent 18 months exploring the beauty of Aotearoa. I have stayed with different Kiwi families who have three to four children at home, and I was amazed by how much freedom the children have here in New Zealand and how happy they are running around barefoot. The local families shared how they educate their children and how the education system works here with me. It is completely different from my own culture, and I was eager to learn more about it. In 2021, I studied for a Master's Degree in Teaching Early Childhood Education at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in Rotorua. I absolutely love being around children and watching them grow every day. I graduated in November 2022 and joined Childspace Northland in December. 2022. Yes, this is my first teaching experience as a qualified teacher! I am a little nervous but more excited. I am new, but I am full of love, enthusiasm, compassion and encouragement! I believe having a positive image of a child is vital for a kaiako/teacher to support the children’s learning. I value every child’s rights and a respectful way of communicating. I am so excited to learn and grow with you all!

My name is Martha and I am the kai creator at Northland.

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]