Pedagogical Leader / Nursery Kaiako

Kia ora koutou! My name is Sally and I teach in the nursery.

I am married to Patrick and together we have a baby girl called Athena, she is enrolled at Little Blue Penguin too. She is a happy, smiley wee girl who constantly amazes us with each new thing she learns.

On the weekends we enjoy spending time together and catching up with family and friends.

I have been teaching for roughly 10 years and have had my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) for two.

I value respectful interactions and responsive relationships as well as Treaty of Waitangi based practice. I feel lucky to be working in such a beautiful, calm and natural environment.

Preschool Kaiako

I have been teaching for over 30 years and have taught in many countries including Hong Kong, Germany, and the UK. During this time I have witnessed many different philosophies in action and now firmly believe that every child should be valued for who they are and for the knowledge they bring with them into our preschools.

I do not believe in a one philosophy fits all children style of teaching as all children are unique and should be seen as such.

Authentic trusting relationships and creating a true sense of belonging form the foundations of all my practices, after all, if you as a parent do not know and trust us as teachers how can you trust that we will truly know your child?

Preschool - Transition Kaiako

Kia ora, I came to LBP as a student for four weeks and didn’t want to leave! I am very excited about joining the team as a transition kaiako. I work as a preschool teacher, and support our toddlers as they transition through from our nursery to our preschool. I support children of all ages in our mixed-age environment, encouraging ako (reciprocal learning) and tuakana-teina relationships. I am passionate about the LBP philosophy, and personally value honesty, reliability and kindness.

Preshool Kaiako

Kia Ora, I have been teaching as an early childhood teacher for over 20 years.

I have been married for over 29 years and have two grown sons, and four lovely grandchildren.

My husband and I enjoy in the weekends, especially in summer, going out on our motorbike and catching up with family and friends.

Most of all I love having fun! I look forward to working in partnership with you and your family/whanau.

Nursery Kaiako

Kia ora! My name is Michelle and I am very excited to be a part of the Little Blue Penguin team in the nursery.

I have been teaching in early childhood for approximately 11 years and gained my Bachelor of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury in 2007.

I’ve spent the majority of my career working with children 0-2, and in 2010 I gained a certificate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health. I have a huge interest in brain development and love to learn about how we can foster the most positive and desirable outcomes for our tamariki.

Nursery Kaiako

I have been an early childhood teacher for almost 10 years now. I started as a relief teacher in Nelson when I finished high school before moving to Christchurch to study.

I am passionate about respectful interactions, strong relationships and warm, nurturing, unhurried environments where children feel secure and comfortable to explore at their own pace.

Nursery Kaiako

Kia Ora koutou 
My name is Kristie and I am very excited to join the Little Blue Penguin whanau. I will be working as a teacher-in-training in the nursery while I finish my bachelor of teaching (ECE) and becoming a qualified teacher. 
I have worked with mostly preschool age children for the last two years but my heart has always been in teaching infants and toddlers. I am passionate about providing a nurturing environment for tamariki with a focus on quality of care. 

Kai Creator

Hello! I am excited to join the LBP community as centre kai creator! I enjoy being creative with meals and finding new and exciting ways to introduce vegetables and encourage good health and nutrition. I have lots of grandchildren who have helped me become very skilled at making vegetables look inviting and appealing. I make all the yummy food for Little Blue Penguin and use the NZ Heart Foundation for my recipe inspiration. If you have any favourite recipes please send them through to office@littlebluepenguin.co.nz and we will give them a go.

At Little Blue Penguin we employ our own relieving pool so that we can maintain consistency and continuity of care for our children.

Relieving staff are based in the preschool and if necessary a preschool teacher would move to the nursery space to cover absences or holidays; that way the babies are already familiar with the teacher.

Our relievers are very much a part of our teaching team and we are lucky to have such passionate, nurturing and flexible teachers working with us.