Our Crew

Vicki Wondernauts Childcare Centre Manager

Vicki Hill – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Master of Educational Leadership (First Class Honours); Full Teacher Certification

Centre Manager

I have been in Early Childhood Education for the past 18 years, and in leadership positions for the past 13. I joined the Wondernauts Crew in my position of Manager in 2009. I feel privileged to be a part of Wondernauts and believe we are all so lucky to be connected with such an amazing centre. Being a not-for-profit community based childcare centre means that our focus is always on the children. We have amazing facilities that are world class. I have a passion for getting children into the outdoors, encouraging risk-taking and participating in meaningful real-life tasks.
Melody-Kylie-admin

Kylie Seator

Office Manager

I have been at Wondernauts for the past five years, and you will find me at the front desk dealing with all the administration side of things. I love getting to see the children each day and seeing all the exciting adventures they get up to here at Wondernauts. I am also a busy Mum to three beautiful girls. My two eldest girls have a strong interest in sports, and are especially talented in hockey and squash, both representing New Zealand. My youngest attended Wondernauts from the wee age of 4 months until recently when she made a successful transition to school. She loved her time at Wondernauts and spend almost all day every day outside! She is wise beyond her age, and constantly surprises us.
Marie

Marie Dent – Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Head Teacher - Juniors Room

I was born and raised here in Hamilton but got the opportunity to spend two years in Christchurch when I was four. I was brought up on the Ruakura Campus as my father worked for AgResearch for 25 years. I began my early childhood journey when I left school at 18, working for Lintott Childcare Centre for eight years before joining the Wondernauts Crew. I have now been here for over 20 years gaining my Bachelor of Teaching through Canterbury University. My beliefs in early childhood have changed and grown through the years but one thing stays the same; being able to give the children in my care the best start to their learning as possible. I have recently got involved with our Nature Programme and am loving this new aspect to my teaching and the children’s learning.

Donna Vollebregt – Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Head Teacher - Preschool

I am a passionate and dedicated teacher that goes the extra mile. I have over 28 years’ experience in early childhood education. I thoroughly enjoy working alongside children. I love the fact that children are unpredictable and often underestimated, that is what makes my chosen career so exciting. I enjoy the outside environment and see it as a classroom with no walls. I love puddle-jumping, tree climbing and extending the children’s gross motor skills and imagination within the outdoor environment.

Tracy Macaskill

Juniors Teacher

My current role here at Wondernauts is covering a position in Juniors. I have been here on a number of occasions before, covering various positions, for different lengths of time. I have recently returned from a three-year stint in Melbourne where I worked as a portrait photographer. It's great to be back at Wondernauts, and I look forward to getting to know you all.
Chiko - Preschool teacher

Sachiko Hara-Liu – Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Preschool Teacher

I have been working at Wondernauts since 2007 but I have worked with Preschool aged children since I graduated from University in Japan. My husband and I have two sons, Kion (at school) and Teina (at Wondernauts) and a new daughter, Lily Mei. I love music and enjoy singing songs and playing musical instruments. I am interested in sharing my Japanese culture and also interested in learning more about other cultures especially the Maori Culture.  
Kayla - Juniors

Kayla McDonald-Jackson – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Provisional Teacher Certification

Juniors Teacher

Kia Ora. I am the oldest child out of six children and I have always been surrounded by younger tamariki. I was naturally drawn to the idea of being a teacher. I have been teaching since I was 17 and graduated with my teaching degree in 2018. I was excited to join the Wondernauts family at the end of 2018. I was the child with the goofy fashion, bare feet, covered in mud and I always had my head in the clouds. I believe in encouraging children to express their ideas, to use their imagination and to follow their curiosity.
Toni Owen

Toni Owen – Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Preschool Teacher

I have had the privilege of working with children of all ages since leaving high school. My passion in teaching is allowing children to take risk and get involved with the natural world, supporting them to blossom into their unique selves filled with self confidence.
Meg

Meg Gauntlett – Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Head Teacher - Infants

I’m Meg and I'm the head teacher in the Infants Room at Wondernauts. I have spent many years working with children and have found my true calling with our youngest tamariki. I strongly believe that we have one of the most important jobs as early childhood teachers because our little people are so valuable. The Wondernauts philosophy really resonates with me; I believe that it is vital for our children to be outside in nature, learning and exploring the world around them.

Hope Blackmore – Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Infants Teacher

Kia Ora whānau, my name is Hope and I am one of the very lucky teachers in the Infants Room! I have worked with all ages, and am trained in both primary and early childhood education. My heart is always pulled back to our youngest explorers and I find each and every day with infants full of a magic and wonder. My passions are singing, dancing and having a good laugh. I enjoy both the exciting moments with tamariki celebrating their successes, and the quiet meaningful moments where true bonds bloom. I also have a wee one of my own, my little astronaut Flynn. He is currently in the Juniors Room at Wondernauts and loves every moment!    

Danni Arts – Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Provisional Teacher Certification

Infants Teacher

Kia Ora, I'm Danni and I am passionate about fostering a culture of creativity and curiosity for our youngest tamariki.  Coming from a visual arts background, I aspire to support tamariki as they find artistic and imaginative ways to expressing themselves.  I strongly believe in learning though play and the importance of providing open-ended and sensory-rich experiences for infants.  I see our infant tamariki as capable human-beings and I enjoy watching their personalities and capabilities flourish.  Respectful relationships and care are at the heart of my practice and I consider it important to allow tamariki the time and space they need to develop, learn and grow.

Stacey – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), Full Teacher Certification

Preschool Teacher

Hey, I'm Staci. I'm one of the newish recruit to the Wondernauts Crew. I've been an early childhood educator since 2011 and love spending time with the preschool aged children. After taking 2019 off to travel with my husband I'm excited to be back teaching. There is nothing better than spending your days teaching through play and having fun with your gorgeous tamariki.