Here at Best Start Kelvin Street our kaimahi | staff ensure our tamariki are encouraged to use their imaginations, and to make discoveries about themselves and the world around them. We do this through a safe and secure environment, a fun and nurturing space that is inclusive and allows tamariki time and space to explore. 

Our vision is Tūrangawaewae | A Place to Connect and we do this through our strong connections with whanaungatanga (close connections to people, places and things) and papatūānuku (our environment). 

Our centre is lead by our invaluable centre manager Sarah who has been here for 6 years. She ensures that tamariki feel safe and secure in their environment and that teachers can grow to be the best they can be. In her spare time she loves being a Mum to her 2 children and spending time with them. 

Elly is our amazing administrator who has been at the centre for 2 years. She is on extended leave at the moment and we miss her smiling face at the front desk. Erin is our very capable 2nd in charge and head teacher of both the Pikopiko (0 -1 year old) and the Harakeke (1 – 2 year old) rooms and has been at Kelvin Street for 3 years. You loves having fun with tamariki and providing them a home away from home. She also enjoys doing arts with tamariki. She and her family love going for rides and heading to car shows in their classic car. 

Angela has been at the centre for 12 years and is a wealth of knowledge. She was born and raised on a farm in the mighty Waikato with numerous animals and loves to use the environment to build on children’s interest and curiosity about the world. She is the head teacher of the Mataī Room (2 – 3.5 year old). 

Kim is the head teacher of the Kahikatea Room (3.5 – 5 year old) and has been at Kelvin Street for 11 years. She is always smiling and you can hear her laughter throughout the centre. She believes in having fun with the tamariki through singing, dancing, games, activities and experiences. She is celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary this year. 

Sue is a teacher in the Kahikatea Room and has been at the centre for 11 years. She ensures that tamariki are in a safe and stimulating environment and learning through different experiences. She is a proud supporter of Pirate Old Boys premier rugby team as she watches her son-in-law play. 

Jagroop has been here nearly 8 months in the Mataī Room. She loves building relationships with tamariki and whānau. She has a passion for mat times and surprising children with new resources. She loves going for nature walks with her husband and 1 ½ year old son Yuvraj. 

Akhil is our newest team member having started a month ago in the Mataī Room. He has a passion for doing physical activities with tamariki. He loves playing sports and likes to try different fun and adventurous activities. Tanya is a teacher in the Pikopiko Room and has been at the centre for 1 year. She loves to incorporate te Ao Māori within her practise. Her favourite movie series of all time is Jurassic Park. 

Danielle has been at Kelvin Street for almost 5 years and you will find her in the Harakeke Room. Her passion is involving tamariki in caring for their environment through gardening and adventures in Queens Park. She loves getting outside and going for bush walks. 

Rachel is in the Pikopiko Room and has been with us for 2.5 years. She loves creating inviting, inspiring and engaging environments that extend the learning of tamariki in a fun and creative way. She is in her last year of ECE study and will be a qualified teacher this year! 

Nikita is in the Harakeke room and has been here 6 months. She believes it is important to give everyone equal opportunities and to encourage tamariki to try things. She also believes in positivity and kindness. She is in training at the moment but is also a qualified hairdresser. 

Sam, our cook has been busy in the kitchen and the classroom for 9 months. She is passionate about creating and providing nourishing food and snacks for our growing tamariki. “Food is much more than being fundamental to our survival, it brings joy, it nourishes, it bonds connections and helps children thrive”. She moved to Invercargill in 2013 to study cookery, working as a chef at various places until she had her daughter in 2021.

Anne is our Friday caregiver and has been with us for 2 years. She wants to give tamariki the best care and education she can provide. She loves going to motorsport both racing and as a spectator. 

Kevin heads up our Bush Kindy and has been with Best Start for 6 months. He wants to be a positive male role model for tamariki and is passionate about social skills and appropriate risk taking which segues into learning through nature. He lives with his wife and 2 children on a lifestyle block which allows them to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying creation.