Here at BestStart Tauranga Central, we have a wonderful team, full of passion and a variety of teachers with different levels of experience. We are proud of our cultural lens and enjoy learning about each and every one’s culture as new families join our centre. Meet our awesome team as they each shared why they are part of the centre. 

Hayley—Centre Manager
I’ve always loved being around children and supporting them with play, I love that I can make meaningful differences in many lives, I love learning with the children, they really inspire me to think, and I really enjoy supporting, listening and making relationships with families. I chose to be a Centre Manager because I wanted to support other teachers with their passion, I love watching a team unite and inspire each other to thrive more each day, sharing their experiences and watching them grow inspires me to strive higher. I have been teaching for the last 13 years, qualified and fully registered. 

Sarah—Head Teacher
I was brought up with my family doing home-based care and naturally found a passion for supporting children. I began my teaching journey over 16 years ago and have enjoyed every moment. I am fully qualified and registered and been teaching here for the last 12 years. The most rewarding part of being a teacher is when I see the achievements in the children’s eyes when they succeed in their own goals. I am very passionate about supporting children to be ready for school, I enjoy setting up fun and creative activities and since stepping into the Head Teacher role, I enjoy sharing all my knowledge with my team, supporting both the Pepi room and Tamariki room. Not only do I get to support the children, but also mentor new teachers into this career which inspires me as a teacher as well. 

Anj—Tamariki Room Teacher
I have always wanted to be a teacher. I trained and worked as a primary teacher for many years but chose to become an early childhood teacher after recognising the fundamental role they play in our society. I find being part of young children’s growth, development, and learning fulfilling and rewarding, and I feel privileged to be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our future members of society. I have been teaching at this centre now for the last 3 years. 

Rebecca—Tamariki Room Teacher
I joined this centre only a few months ago and I feel like we are a team and are supporting each other. I come from other cultures, so we can share cultural identity. I can feel my team listens to my voice and thoughts. The most important reason is I love working with kids through playing and learning together. I am lucky to be a Kaiako at BestStart Tauranga Central as I learn how to become a registered teacher. 

Kelly-Anne—Tamariki Room Teacher
Kia ora. My name is Kelly-Anne and I’ve been studying and educating young children full-time, for almost seven years, after leaving a long career in the Entertainment and Hospitality Industry. My interest in teaching in ECE grew from seeing and assisting with my own children's learning and development when they were young and wanting to continue that journey with other young children, as my own grew older and more independent. I particularly enjoy creating inviting play spaces around children's interests, provoking their curiosity and observing them explore and discover meaningful experiences. I also like to learn and continue to explore my inner child, while also encouraging and supporting children's interests in art, design and creative pursuits. I believe it's important to listen and provide comfort to children who feel misunderstood and help them to become more confident, independent, communicative and social. Dream big, live bigger. 

Jo—Pepi Room Teacher
I love being a teacher because I enjoy nurturing children and have a passion for working alongside whanau to support their child’s growth and development. There is nothing better than seeing the magic in a child’s eyes when they master new skills. I also love working in a fun environment where every day is different. I joined this centre this year and looking forward to supporting and teaching here for more years to come. 

Phebe—Pepi Room Teacher
I have always had a big passion when it comes to caring for and being with tamariki. In my whānau, I have supported my sister through her pregnancies and as my nephew and niece grew I really discovered my passion for teaching. It is through the meaningful care moments and building relationships that made me fall in love with teaching the next generation. I am currently a teacher in training and looking forward to completing my degree and further extending my teaching qualifications by becoming a registered teacher. I joined this centre at the beginning of the year. 

Dana—Pepi Room Teacher
I'm a teacher because I enjoy seeing the world through a child's eyes, helping them to learn and grow. I come to work every day to make an impact in a child's life and I leave every day with a smile knowing I've achieved that. I have almost 20 years of experience and have been qualified for 14 years. I am looking forward to teaching for many more years and I have been working at this centre for the last 2 years. 

Jesse—Permanent Reliver
I was always around young children and I have a passion for dance, where I started dance classes and then took on the teacher role as I’ve always found it rewarding to support children in their learning. I have been a qualified teacher for 4 years but have been teaching for 8 years and currently completing my registration. I have been supporting this centre for the last 3 years. 

Jenna—Centre Admin
I became a centre admin because I have a passion for children, being an ECE teacher in the past and raising my own children, one whom is at this centre, I love being able to watch my daughter engage with others and build relationships. All while I'm doing my admin role, meeting other whanau and building relationships is important and as a centre everyone is like whanau. We hope you enjoyed getting to know us!