Eduplay Westgate Team
Sarah
Centre Director
Hi my name is Sarah and I am the Head Teacher here at Eduplay Westgate. I have worked in Early Childhood Education since 2003 and I am qualified in both Early Childhood and Primary Teaching and have two children of my own. I have worked with many age groups, lead teaching teams and worked as a centre manager and curriculum advisor. I am really looking forward to building a great teaching team and serving your families and our community here at Eduplay Westgate.
Michaela
Administrator
Hi, I’m Michaela, my role is the administrator for the centre. I have over five years’ experience in customer service, administration and data entry.
I am excited to learn, meet new people and am looking forward to a new adventure. I am newly married and live in Massey with my husband and our two cats. I enjoy travelling and spending time with friends/family.
Don’t be afraid to approach me for anything at all, I am more than happy to assist!
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Stacey
Chef
Hi my name is Stacey, I am mum to 5 amazing kids – 3 sons (21yrs, 18yrs & 2yrs) and 2 daughters (13yrs & 10yrs).I am already loving getting to know your little ones and looking forward to watching them grow and change. In my spare time I like to go to stockcars or have a weekend away at the beach.I look forward to meeting those that I have not yet.
Lacean
Room Leader
Kia Ora, Fakalofa Atu, Hello, I’m Lacean (pronounced Lay-Ken) and I’m the room leader of the Parakai and Te Henga Rooms. I am a fully registered teacher with a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood and have been teaching since 2013. My whanau includes my husband, two daughters, who both attend Eduplay, and three cats. I have a strong passion for sensory exploration, which basically means I love mess! (so pack extra clothes) and cultural identity. I want each child to know and feel that they have a place within our environment and to be able to share and explore the different cultures within our rooms. I can’t wait to meet you all and welcome you to Eduplay.
Toni
Room Leader
Kia Ora, I’m Toni and I’m the room leader of the Muriwai room, I am qualified and fully registered and have been teaching for many years. I have a strong passion for under threes and love watching each child grow and development as they learn about the world around them. I love taking children’s individual interests and extending on them in a fun creative way where they are able to develop different working theories. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my partner out fishing and exploring our beautiful country. I looking forward to getting to know your children as you spend your time at Eduplay.
Verity
Room Leader
Hi I’m Verity but you can call me Vee. I am the room leader for the Piha room, I have a bachelor of Early Childhood Education, am a fully registered teacher and hold a current first aid certificate. I started my teaching journey back in 2008 and have loved every step of the way. I have teaching experience in both home-based and centre- based educational settings and have a passion for supporting children during their own individual and educational journeys. My family and I live locally, my daughter Luna also attends Eduplay and we love being a part of the Eduplay team. I look forward to building relationships with you and your
whānau too.
Danni
Room Leader
Kia Ora!
I’m Dannii, team leader in the Piha Room! I currently have my bachelors of early childhood education, a current first aid cert and my full teaching registration. My passion is definitely learning through a range of play and fun ideas. I have worked with all different ages of children and love being a part of an ongoing development for each individual. I love to dress up, plan science experiments and celebrate all and every culture possible! Come say hello and join in on our fun!
Karina
Teacher
Hi my name is Karina, I have been working in early childhood for over 20 years now. I have worked with all ages from babies to 5year olds and love all the different ages and stages for different reasons.
I have 2 children of my own. My daughter Haddley who is 5 years old and my son Evan who is 12 years old. I live in Woodhill and have for the past 13 years. I love being surrounded by nature so I don’t think I’ll be moving anytime soon.
I am passionate about teaching young children and love watching them grow and learn new skills. I can’t wait to get to know you all.
Kristal
Teacher
Hello, I'm Kristal and I am a mother of two boys and have only just begun my journey as an unqualified early childcare teacher. I have always been very passionate about working with children and encouraging each child’s individual personalities to grow as well as their interests. My hobbies include baking, going to the beach and trying out different bush walks with my family. I am looking forward to meeting all the families here at Eduplay.
Kia orana Ko Lydia toku ingoa! I am of Cook Island descent, and have recently started my early childcare journey as an unqualified teacher. I have always loved working with our rangatahi through kura and babysitting for whānau and have loved meeting all of you and your tamariki so far. Some hobbies of mine include playing sports, exploring the outdoors, I thrive on new challenges and learning new skills. I am looking forward to helping develop and grow self-confidence in our tamariki here at Eduplay, I can’t wait to meet those of you that I haven’t already!
Almira
Teacher
Kia Ora!
My name is Almira. I was born in the Philippines, my family and I moved her to Aoteaora many years ago. I have a daughter, Aila who also attends Eduplay.
I am a register and qualified ECE teacher, I have been teaching for more than 5 years. I value respectful teaching practices as well as building trusting relationships with tamariki and their whanau.
I look forward to welcoming you at Eduplay!
Lydia
Teacher
Dan
Teacher
Kia Ora. My name is Dan!
I am a qualified teacher with Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching. I love interacting with children and catering for all their needs. My teaching philosophy is based on learning through play .
A day without laughter is a day wasted!
Can't wait to meet you and your beautiful pepi.
Hayley
Teacher
Kia Ora my name is Hayley, my family and I moved to New Zealand from South Africa when I was three.I have my Bachelor od Early Childhood education and have been working as a teacher for 8 years now.My passion is learning through exploration and play based activities. My hobbies are photography, travelling and being outdoors at the beach. I look forward to meeting you all.
Kaitlin
Teacher
My name is Kaitlin and I am currently studying towards my bachelor of ECE. I am very passionate about children and ensuring that their individuals needs are being met, as well as supporting them to recognise themselves as the strong and competent learners that they are. If I’m not studying you’ll often find me with my friends/family or at the beach with a book in hand. I look forward to meeting you all and building a great relationship with you and your child.
Jess
Teacher
Kia Ora I’m Jess!
I wanted to become a teacher because I love being able to help Tamariki learn, explore and discover everything possible.
I enjoy learning through play-based activities. I love going to the beach and travelling. I love challenging myself to learn new things and try different activities as well.
Can’t wait to meet you all!
Lydia
Teacher
Hi I’m Lydia, this is my first time working in early childhood and I’m really interested in studying to be an ECE teacher.
I love out at Muriwai and spend mostly all year round exploring our beautiful beach.
I’m looking forward to meeting all the children and their families so come over and say hi when you see me.
Mandy
Teacher
Hey I’m Mandy, I’m a fully registered teacher with a bachelor in early childhood education. I have been teaching for over ten years and still thoroughly enjoy working along children and whanau, watching them learn and grow into the unique capable individuals they are, with an abundance of messy play added in. I am teaching in the Muriwai Room and when I’m not working, I’m spending time with my own three children exploring the outdoors or relaxing at home. I can’t wait to welcome you to Eduplay.
JoJo
Teacher
Kia Ora! Call me JoJo. I am an unqualified teacher and have just begun working towards a Bachelor of Teaching in ECE. As I have a lot of nieces and nephews, you'll find me hanging out with and looking after them as much as I can. I really love being the "favourite aunty."
A personal endeavour of mine is to make sure that every child I come into contact with feels safe, seen, heard and loved. I look forward to meeting you and your little one(s) and the adventures that await us!
Romey
Teacher
Hey there! my name is Romey, this is my first experience working in early childhood and I can’t wait to be apart of shaping the lives of our future generation. I have always wanted to be in a line of work where what I do makes a difference and what better than helping these little minds grow as they explore the very beginning of their lives.
I personally love to get out doors exploring the country with my family and go fishing at the beach! I am so glad to be apart of the Edu play team and look forward to meeting you all and creating a positive relationship with you and your little ones!
Chelsea
Teacher
Hey everyone, my name is Chelsea. I have completed my Graduate Diploma in ECE. My hobbies include cooking, music and going hiking with my family and friends on weekends. I am passionate about learning and progressing with children from different cultural backgrounds and do my best to encourage tamariki to discover their strengths and interests. I look forward to meeting you at Eduplay.
Laine
Teacher
Hey! My name is Laine and I am part of the amazing Piha team! I am currently in my final year of my bachelors degree which has been such a valuable and enjoyable experience for me. I have had experience across all age groups but have definitely found my passion teaching in the preschool age group. Before starting my teaching journey, I gained lots of experience working with children through babysitting and working as a live in au-pair. I moved here to New Zealand in 2017 from Brisbane where I was born and raised, and started my ECE journey in 2020 after finishing high school in 2019. I live in Hobsonville Point with my partner and our 3 cats.
Kayla
Teacher
This is my first time working in an early childhood centre and I am also interested in studying to become a qualified ECE teacher. I have always enjoyed teaching and looking after children when I have the opportunity.
In my spare time you will find me in the outdoors, I really love going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.
I am really enjoying getting to know all the teachers and children at Eduplay especially in the Piha Room and I am looking forward to meeting more families. I am looking forward to meeting those of you I haven’t come across yet, never be shy to say hi.
Zoe
Teacher
Hello my name is Zoe and I am a fully registered teacher with a Bachelor of Education. I have been teaching for five years now and I have a passion for working with over 3’s. I am a creative, kind hearted and fun teacher who enjoys science and art experiences.
I am all about helping young children develop their social competence skills and increasing their sense of agency. In my spare time I enjoy playing netball, spending time with friends and family and being out on the water doing anything boating related. I am looking forward to getting to know all your children and putting a smile on their faces.
Alan
Teacher
Kia Ora/Hello/Ni Hao, my name is Zhipeng Gu and you can call me Alan if you like. I feel excited to be a member of the great Eduplay family.
I grew up in China and have lived in New Zealand since 2014. I finished my master degree at Massey University and my Graduate Diploma in teaching (early childhood education) at New Zealand Tertiary College. Now I am working full time in the Piha Room.
I am super excited to work alongside the preschool children. And I look forward to meeting and getting to know you and all the children.
Kim
Teacher (Currently on Maternity Leave)
Kia ora, my name is Kim!
I'm currently studying towards my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I've always been passionate about kids and love seeing them thrive and grow but it was my son who inspired me to pursue a career in early childhood education. He also attends Eduplay. I have a passion for dance and music which I love to share with the children. In my spare time you will find me outdoors by the water either fishing, swimming or spending quality time with family.