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.
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. I started to work as an untrained teacher in Morrinsville and discovered that my passion for teaching is with children under five. 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 Paula Martinson
I live on a small lifestyle block just out of Morrinsville with my husband Sam and our 3 children, Kyralee (12), Taylor (9), and Paisley (3), who currently spends her days with friends in the Kea/Pukeko space. I have been a teacher in the Kiwi room working with some of Morrinsville Kids youngest tamariki for the past 5 years, and have many more years experience working with young children. In my time off you will find me in the garden, working with animals or enjoying family time.
Kia ora, my name is Jody Bradstreet,
I joined Morrinsville Kids as a team member in 2016 after I returned from teaching and travelling overseas. I am now proud to be a Team Leader in the Pukeko Room, where I can teach, learn and play alongside our 2-3 year olds, which currently includes my son.
I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching which I completed after my Bachelor of Design degree. My aim is to provide our tamariki with a safe, respectful and engaging learning environment. I believe that respectful, reciprocal relationships between kaiako, tamariki and whānau are at the heart of all learning and so important when it comes to a child’s identity, wellbeing and development.
Kia ora, my name is Tessa Stewart
I’m working towards getting my early childhood degree and am in my third year. I grew up in a large extended family that heavily influenced my decision to work with children. In high school I did my gateway (like a practicum) at Morrinsville Kids where grew to love the environment and cement my decision to work in early childhood. I enjoy being outside exploring the natural environment and getting messy. I believe that relationships are key to providing a quality environment for children.
My name is Nicole
I was born and bred in Hamilton but moved to Morrinsville in 2019 with my family when we purchased our first home. I have always been passionate about working with children and have grown up surrounded by educators. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching Degree (Primary) and worked three years in a Year 2 classroom, before making the move to the Morrinsville Kids, where I get to work with my daughter Kennedy in the Kiwi room. When I am not at work, I am doing renovations on our house, walking our retired greyhound and spending quality time with my partner Alan and my two children Zack (13) and Kennedy (7 months).
My name is Apinya Edward.
I am from Thailand. I have lived in New Zealand for 8 years with my husband Alan. We live on a beef, sheep and horses farm in Tahuna.
I have been working with young children since 2005. I was an au pair in USA looked after 2 and 4 years old boys for 2 years.
I was a teacher assistance for year 1 in phuket international school before I moved here. I have many years experience working at childcare centre in Morrinsville. In my spare time I enjoy to listen to music, singing and learning ukulele. I like skiing in winter and paddle board in summer.
Kia ora, my name is Sophie Masterson
I’m part of the kiwi room team. I’ve been part of the Morrinsville kids team since I started my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree in 2017, I’m now fully qualified and have been part of the kiwi room team full time for the last year and a half. I’ve been working with children for quite some time now, before I started studying early childhood education I was working at an after-school care, I worked there for 5 years before deciding to start my degree in early childhood education. Working there led me to early childhood as I realised that I loved working with children. A strong value in my philosophy is that building strong relationships with children and their families is the basis for their learning, I believe children learn best when they’re in environments that are warm, welcoming and strive to build reciprocal relationships with tamariki and their whanau, where they feel at ease and have opportunities to learn and grow.
Kia ora, my name is Debbie Phillips.
I have been working in ECE for 14 years, joining the Morrinsville Kids team in 2015
working in the Kiwi room. I feel very privileged to be working with our youngest children, supporting their development and learning alongside their whānau.
I have 2 grown children, Talia and Nathan and have been blessed with 2 beautiful grandsons so far. In my spare time I love spending time with family, fishing, camping, relaxing at the beach and speedway.
Kia Ora my name is Chrissy,
I joined the Morrinsville Kids team in 2020, however I have been coming into the centre since 2015 with my nieces and nephew. I’m currently in my first year at Wintec working towards getting my early childhood degree. I am very passionate about working with children, having been around younger family members most of my life. Relieving at Morrinsville Kids is what encouraged me to start studying and I have continued to be inspired to grow as a student teacher by supporting the development of the tamariki. I love playing and watching sports, spending time with my family and going to the beach.
Kia Ora my name is Lucy
I finished university in 2010 with a degree in ECE. I worked for three years before traveling abroad to the Uk where I was a nanny for four children.
I returned to New Zealand and back to ECE for a year then went to Canada to work in a childcare centre at a ski resort.
After returning I started teaching at Morrinsville kids in the Pukeko room. I then left to go back to Canada for another ski season before coming back to teach at Morrinsville Kids in the Kea room. I had my son Fergus in 2019 and have now returned to work in the kiwi room two days a week. I love working in the Kiwi room alongside an amazing team and watching our tamariki learn.
Hi my name is Clare,
I grew up in the Bay of Plenty and moved to Morrinsville with my family in 2014 and have been working at Morrinsville Kids since 2016 as the centre’s cook. I enjoy getting to meet all the tamariki in the different rooms when delivering meals or helping out in the rooms if needed. Having grown up on a dry stock farm I love the rural feeling of Morrinsville.