Our Staff

Our Team

Our team of teachers are trained, experienced, qualified and passionate about seeing children become confident caring learners.

Sharon Coe - Centre Manager

I have a Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and have 32 years experience as a fully registered teacher managing childcare centres. I am passionate about Early Childhood Education and I work hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for our tamariki and their families. I am enjoying working with our team as the Professional Leader of the centre and admire their ongoing level of commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated every day in their work with the children who have lots of fun as they enjoy learning throughout their day. I believe that we are all learners together (teachers, parents and children alike) and I delight when we engage in our Inquiries and learn new things ourselves. On the days that I work I can be usually found in my office upstairs and I always welcome our families to pop up and see me if they have any concerns or information to share. I can always offer a cup of tea or coffee too!! I also graduated as a NZ School Dental Nurse many years ago now. I have two grown up children of my own and three amazing grandchildren and can often be found on Saturdays in winter out on the soccer fields supporting them as they play-smiles!!

Janina Lewis - Head Teacher

I have a Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and I am an experienced fully registered teacher who has had recent experience as a Visiting Teacher for Home Based Care. I have also been a Home Based Care educator myself as well as working previously as an educator at Elim Early Learning centre. I am passionate about Brain development especially the effects of trauma on the brain and how sensory activity can improve this. I qualified as a “Relax Kids” coach in 2018 which is something our tamariki are enjoying and responding well too. This is helping our children develop their resilience and social competence capability, all vital skills for our 21s century learners and for a successful entry into school. I am married with 4 children (2 of whom have now left home!!)

Shalini Prasad - Teacher

I have a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) with full registration status. I am enjoying working with our infants and toddlers and supporting them as they grow and develop in a peaceful and respectful environment where the children are nurtured and learn at their own pace. I work closely with our parents and whanau in order to achieve the best possible learning goals and outcomes for the children as they explore and make sense of their world around them. I can speak several languages and really enjoy working closely with our families of different cultures. I am married and have two children of my own.

Nick Craven - Teacher

I have a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) with registration and I have a special interest in children’s Inquiry learning. I like to develop our children’s current interests and facilitate in-depth learning experiences around this where children can take risks, test their own ideas and theories and also expand their existing knowledge. This learning is often cross modal extending across many areas of the curriculum. I enjoy our environment where our children and whanau can also bring their own special skills and share them also with the teachers. I have a Bachelor of Art’s degree (Auckland University) and I am also a qualified carpenter-I enjoy teaching our children these skills and they are very eager to learn-smiles! I am married with 2 children who previously attended our centre.

Kylie Lyons - Teacher (Casual)

I have a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and am a fully registered teacher. I really love working with the 0-5 yr age group and especially enjoy supporting them as they continue to challenge themselves to further develop their learning in a warm friendly nurturing environment. I believe in having respectful relationships with our children and their families and that it is essential to the well being of our children. I am married and have two children of my own.

Maria Woodlock - Teacher

I have a Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and I am a fully registered experienced teacher with a specific interest in supporting children with special needs and abilities. I believe it is essential for our children to develop holistically with healthy minds and bodies and I facilitate this by using a variety of creative techniques such as story- telling with actions, games and visual art experiences. Language and Numeracy are always emphasised as part of our teaching practise and are essential skills for our children to learn prior to moving onto their next place of learning. I have not long returned from Auckland and am enjoying re-establishing my life back in Christchurch.

Merrilyn Warren - Teacher

I have a Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE) and I am a fully registered and experienced teacher. I have many interests including developing the visual art and sensory play aspects of our curriculum. I also like to encourage our tamariki to explore the value of sustainability especially gardening to grow their own produce for eating such as vegetables, fruits and herbs. This supports their ongoing development of a healthy mind and body and will stand them in good stead as they move through their life long journey of empowerment and discovery.