Our Crew

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 20 years, and in leadership positions for the past 15. 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.

Rachel Elliott – Bachelor of Education (ECE Teaching); Full Teacher Certification

Infants Team Leader

 

 

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

Infants & 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 and Teina  a daughter Lily Mei who are all graduates of Wondernauts. 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.  

Emma Liu

Infants Teacher

Ni hao, I am Qian, also known as Emma! I have been at Wondernauts since 2013, and then returned to China for two years before coming back to Wondernauts. I am in the Infant room and I enjoy all the babies! Relationships and trust with our little friends is very important to me, and I am very calm and patient with our young learners! I enjoy the environment at Wondernauts and love being outside in our nature programme.

Annest Rimmer – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Provissional Certification

Infants Teacher

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Holly Davies – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Provisional Teacher Certification

Juniors Teacher

Kia Ora, In 2020  joined the fulltime teaching team here at Wondernauts! I enjoy working with children of all ages, and I am loving being in the juniors room, gaining more experience, ideas and knowledge for my teaching backpack. My past experiences working with children is as a gymnastics coach, encouraging risk taking, problem solving and the all important fundamental movement. My passion is the outdoors, going on adventures to explore and discover new things along side your special children. I find it rewarding being able to scaffold children’s learning achievements to follow their individual growth and development.

Frances Davey – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Juniors Teacher

Kia Ora, I love my teaching career and have been teaching in the early childhood sector since 1993. I have a busy home life with four children of my own who all love playing sports. My strengths are in Maths, Literacy, Phonics and Outdoor Adventures.

Laura Taylor – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Juniors Team Leader

 

Kia Ora,

Tracey Griffen –   Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Provisional Teacher Certification

Juniors Teacher

Kai ora my name is Tracey, I am very excited to have joined the Wondernauts team in 2022! I have spent six years working in early childhood education and studying for my Bachelor of Teaching. I believe in a warm friendly environment filled with laughs, love and exploring. I have a passion for working with toddlers, supporting their growth, development and adventurous side as they explore what life has to offer!

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

Preschool Team Leader

 

I am a passionate and dedicated teacher that goes the extra mile. I have over 30 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.

Lisa Kahui-Te Pou – Bachelor of Teaching (ECE); Provisional Teacher Certification

Preschool Teacher

Teenaa koutou katoa, Ko Taupiri me Maungapohatu ngaa maaunga. Ko Waikato me Oohinemataroa ngaa awa. Ko Tanui me Maataatua ngaa waka. Ko Tainui me Tuuhoe ooku iwi. Noo Taumarunui ahau engari e noho ana ahau ki Kirikiriroa i naaianei. Ko Lisa Kahui-Te Pou tooku ingoa.

Kia ora, my name is Lisa, and I am excited to be a part of the Wondernauts whaanau. I have many years of experience as an unqualified teacher and as a playcentre parent in the Waikato with my two daughters. It has been an honour for me to work with amazing kaiako who have inspired me to nurture the mana in tamariki as they grow in their own unique way. As a result, I complete my Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) qualifications.

I believe that tamariki and whaanau learn and grow best when they feel safe in a warm and welcoming environment with a teaching team that has children at the heart of everything they do. Being of Tainui and Tuuhoe descent I bring with me a wealth of authentic knowledge in te ao Maaori and the connections nature has. I also love to share my knowledge with everyone I meet.

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

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

Preschool Teacher

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 22 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.

Bex Daly – Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification

Preschool Teacher

I have been in Early Childhood Education a few years but I have trained in both Primary and Early childhood education. I have always had a passion for working with children and since having my son I found one of the most rewarding times to be part of is during a child’s early years. I love how children are so unpredictable and I love to watch as they not only learn for themselves but how they also teach others around them. I have a passion for the outdoors and making life as fun and stress free as possible.

Janine Lovegrove – Diploma of Teaching; Bachelor of Education major in Education Studies; Full Teacher Certification

Pedagogical Leader

Kia Ora kout

Rachel Cooke – Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE); Full Teacher Certification 

Centre Administrator & ECE Teacher
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Maria Corante Guerrero

Kai Creator / Centre Cook