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BestStart Tory Steet Team
Amanda – Centre Manager I have been working for BestStart since 2010 and moved into Centre Manager position at BestStart Tory Street in late 2023. I have spent many years developing my leadership skills and find it really fulfilling to be able to work with and support such a dedicated group of teachers, in such a warm and welcoming environment. Teaching young children is a huge passion of mine, and I believe that providing an engaging environment that supports individual needs, sets the foundation for future learning. I love getting creative in the centre environment and enjoy offering well set-up provocations and play spaces for children to explore. I really value the relationships that I build with children and their families and it warms my heart watching children grown during their time in my care.
Ayomi – Centre Administrator I am privileged to work in a small team where we are very much like family. My role has given me the opportunity to share my experiences and knowledge with tamariki and the teaching team. I am very passionate to work with children. Building trust and confidence with the team and whānau are vital to success in my role.
AJ – Qualified Teacher Hola. Me llamo AJ. Kia ora. Ko AJ toku ingoa. Hello. My name is AJ. I am a Primary Qualified Teacher who has worked in both primary schools and ECE centres. I have a BA majoring in Spanish and Theatre. In March 2020 I accepted a permanent position at Best Start Tory Street, just before the Covid lockdown, and have been here ever since as I think this is an amazing little centre. Our centre vision of "Celebrating Universal Languages" really resonates with me, as I have always been interested in other cultures and languages. In my 20s I travelled as a typist and personal assistant for an American artist and writer, and got to travel all over the world. I spent a lot of time in India, Venezuela, and my son is half Chilean. I am passionate about helping children develop skills that will help them be set for school, such as: working together, being kind, using kind words, hands and feet, using an inside voice and walking feet when inside the classroom, developing phonological awareness, that letters have names and sounds, learning correct letter formation, and using everyday items to help children develop numeracy skills.
Mary – Qualified Teacher Kia ora, I have been working as an Early Childhood teacher for 10 years in Singapore and now here in New Zealand handling working with such a diverse group of children. I am driven with connecting, building relationships, understanding tamariki basic and learning needs. I believe it is the most significant basis for building trust, exploring their strengths and eventually building a good learning disposition.
Olivia – Unqualified Teacher I started my Early Childhood journey in 2023, relieving for various centres all around Wellington. I loved it so much that I became a permanent member of BestStart Tory Street at the start of 2024. Something that I love about my job is seeing the children grow and learn new things.