Garry and Sandra Croker Owners / Managers of Morrinsville Kids
We are very proud of the centre that we have created. Sandra has over 30 years experience in the early childhood sector – training as a Kindergarten teacher back in the 80’s working up to being the General Manager of a Kindergarten Association, before then moving into a senior management position within NZ’s largest Childcare provider.
This is Garry’s first experience working with under 5’s and he’s taken to it like a duck to water. Talk about the pied piper – the children adore him, and if he’s not around when they arrive the first question asked is ‘where’s Garry? We love being part of the Morrinsville community have worked hard to create the best centre we can for Morrinsville. But we are only a small part of that equation – we couldn’t achieve what we want if it wasn’t for the amazing staff we have.
Come and meet the team of Morrinsville Kids at any time – we would love to show you around our amazing centre and hope you will be part of the Morrinsville Kids community one day.
Kia ora, my name is Shellee Mischewski.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education in 1999 and have been teaching in Morrinsville and Hamilton since then. I am passionate about being an early childhood teacher and feel privileged to be trusted by you to help your children learn and grow. I love the dynamic process of teaching,learning and reflecting in order to constantly change and improve outcomes for children and families.
I believe that in order for children to reach their full potential, parents /whanau and teachers need to work collaboratively. By developing strong relationships, sharing and valuing your family cultural heritage and understanding the aspirations you have for your child, we can empower them to become confident, capable lifelong learners.
I am passionate about working with children to strengthen and extend their interests, thinking and develop their love of learning.
Childhood is a small window of time to explore, learn and develop at a pace that is right for each individual child.
I love music and storytelling and sharing my home with my partner Rhys and our two school-aged children, Emerson and Aria.
Tena koe my name is Marie Carter.
I'm proud to be joining Morrinsville Kids as head teacher of the under twos. I have a graduate diploma in teaching and learning (ECE) as well as a Bachelor of Arts majoring in education. I have over 6 years experience working exclusively with infants and toddlers. My passion is working with and alongside these young learners, watching them grow and challenge themselves within this learning environment. I pride myself in developing strong relationships with children and their whanau.
These relationships are the foundation of respectful caregiving and learning opportunities for children.
Hi I am Alice Goodger
I am a teacher in the under 2 kiwi room at Morrinsville Kids. I have completed my Bachelor of Teaching- Early Childhood Education at Wintec in Hamilton and am excited to be working at Morrinsville Kids. I did field based study which means I have gained experiences with all age groups during the time of my study.
Within my teaching I value whanau partnership and would like to build reciprocal relationships with the families of the children coming to Morrinsville Kids. I feel that each child is a capable bringing individual qualities to the centre. I value that you are choosing myself as a part of the teaching team to care for and work with your child each day.
I look forward to getting to know you and your child.
Kia ora, my name is Eva Ward.
I am from Slovakia and I grew up in a small village surrounded by beautiful mountains, called Terchova. In 2002 I gained Master Degree in Ethics and Religion and taught at the primary school in Techova.
I came to New Zealand in 2005 after I met my husband Martin. I started to work as an untrained teacher in Morrinsville and discovered that my passion for teaching is with children under five. I have been involved in early childhood education for six and a half years. In 2011, I gained Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education.
I enjoy exploring and learning alongside and with children and believe that children need first of all loving, secure, respectful and stimulating environment in order to be able to play, learn, grow and became confident and capable learners. I believe that parents play a crucial part in children’s learning and their input and say is very important to me.I enjoy all aspects of the teaching programme but have a special interest in music movement, singing with children, art, messy play and outdoor. I have two wonderful children, Dominika and Peter and love spending with them as much time as possible.
Kia Ora my name is Caitlin Spear
I am so proud to be a teacher in the Kea Room at Morrinsville Kids. My journey into education was surprising; after high school I moved from Whangarei to Hamilton and completed a Bachelor of Management (Marketing) in 2011. I finished not really knowing what path I wanted to take and a chance meeting with the right person welcomed me into childcare. There I found my passion. I have a Graduate Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood Education from the University of Waikato which I completed in 2013. I worked at a mixed age center in Hamilton until mid-2015 at which time I had a year off to have my daughter. We are happily living in rural Te Aroha with my husband Dane.
I love teaching young children and see my role as a guide in their learning journey, providing opportunities and experiences to capture their interest. The most important thing to me is relationships between myself and children, whanau, and colleagues. Strong relationships allow us to provide consistency, support, and a caring base for children to become confident and competent life-long learners.
Kia ora my name is Aimee Dixon,
I am a teacher in the kea room. I have a certificate in early childhood practise. I have been working in childcare since 2009, starting with a Steiner centre in Hamilton and then moving into a nanny role with various families.
I believe my role as a teacher is to provide positive learning opportunities and experiences for children so they can become confident and capable learners. I like to create a nurturing and safe environment for the children and I enjoy watching the children grow and develop as well as getting to know them and their families.
Kia Ora, my name is Paula Martinson
I am proud to be a teacher in the Kiwi Room. My passion for working with and caring for infants, toddlers and young children began when my husband do and I welcomed our daughter Kyralee into the world 8 years ago. I found it magical how she grew, and discovered new things everyday and I wanted to learn more. Kyralee was just a few months old when I first began caring for other children in our home. I was soon running play school sessions and undertaking professional development courses to further my knowledge in childcare and child development. More recently I completed the Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education program through the Open polytechnic of New Zealand. Somewhere in amongst my study our son Taylor was born. He is 4 now and can be found playing in the Tui Room most days of the week. I am very excited to be part of the Morrinsville Kids team. I enjoy working and playing in the Kiwi room with the infants and toddlers, and supporting them to grow and learn too.
Kia ora my name is Sukhman Singh
In 2013, I started my early childhood degree at Wintec. During my three years of study, I gained a lot of experience working in a range of early childhood setting in the Waikato. Today I am a qualified early childhood teacher, who works in the Pukeko room at Morrinsville Kids. I believe in providing quality care, building strong relationships with tamariki and their whānau, extending children's interests, free play and being inclusive. I look forward to meeting you all.
Kia Ora my name is Elle Holder
My family and I have recently moved back from Australia where I spent 8 years in Early Childhood Education. In Australia I completed my Diploma of ECE. Unfortunately this was not recognized here so I am currently studying my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.
I love this field of work and working with children is something that I am very passionate about and dedicated too. I value education as a very important aspect to the early years. I believe that nothing is impossible and supporting children to the make the impossible happen. I believe that every child is their own individual and it is my job to support each child developmentally, emotionally and socially.
With two children at home and my husband life is pretty busy but we enjoy being active and getting involved with sports. I'm a very enthusiastic netball player, and enjoying running and bush walks. I spent 5 years in the NZ navy where I was fortunate to see many of the beautiful countries surrounding us.
I look forward to my time at Morrinsville Kids and cannot wait to get to know all the family/whanau involved in our centre.
Kia Ora Koutou. My name is Nikki Chong,
I teach in the Tui Room. My husband George and I have three amazing children and have lived in Morrinsville for a number of years. I graduated from the Open Polytechnic in 2016, but prior to that, I worked with young children for many years in the USA and here in New Zealand. It is these children who inspired me to obtain my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). Establishing a relationship with each child is my priority. Within a respectful relationship, learning will blossom. Early childhood is a special time and it is my great pleasure to be part of the magical years that lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, the beach, baking, and journeying through motherhood with my family.
Kia ora. My name is Sophie Hawkes.
I am proud to be a teacher in the Tui Room. I have lived in and around the Waikato all my life but have resided in Te Awamutu since I was a child. I have recently graduated from Massey University with my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, having completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in 2015 through the University of Waikato. My passion for education stemmed from teaching dance to all different age groups whilst at high school. I believe children learn through their play and their experiences. Positive relationships between teachers, children and whānau are key to developing a confident and competent learner. The creative arts are a passion of mine and I enjoy including dance, drama, music and art experiences into my teaching. Outside of Morrinsville Kids, I love to dance, having learned different disciplines throughout the years and I have recently joined a Hamilton performance group.
I am excited to be a part of the Morrinsville Kids whanāu and I look forward to meeting you all.