Meet the Team

Dedicated & Certified

Christina

Te Kamo

My name is Christina Te Wake I’m a mother to 4 wonderful children.

I have been in teaching positions working alongside tamariki since 2007

I have a Level 5 qualification as well as current First Aid and Child Protection certificates.

I provide a very high standard of care within the ratio of 1adult to maximum 4 children

I love to get out in the community daily to explore the local beaches, playgrounds, libraries, playgroups, and gymnastics while also trying to recognise and extend on your child’s own interest as well.

I provide as much hands on learning too around my home, whether it’s making our own gardens to grow food, baking and making use of the veggies or fruits we do grow and gather to be self sufficient.

I speak both English and Te Reo Maori while working alongside our tamariki.

I’m very passionate about my position and care for each child like they are my own.

I currently have 3 tamariki in my care and have one space available.

Wendy

Maungakaramea

Hi, my name is Wendy and I am a Home-Based Educator living in Maungakaramea.

I have been doing Home-Based education for 10 years now.

I hold a Level 4 qualification in Home-Based Care and Education as well as current First Aid and Child Protection.

I have lived in Maungakaramea most of my life and have brought up my 3 beautiful children here.

I love being a home-based Educator because it allows me to build strong, meaningful relationships with children and their families.

Being Home-Based also means I can offer rich, everyday learning experiences, through play, conversations, outings and real life moments. I love the outdoors and I take the tamariki out into nature everyday. We also attend Play centre twice a week and often go exploring around Whangārei parks and beaches.

I value the close connections, the trust families place in me and the opportunity to watch children grow in confidence and curiosity. Knowing I am making a positive difference in their early years is incredibly rewarding.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Laurel

Te Kamo

Kia Ora. My name is Laurel. I have been a Home-Based Educator for over 10 years.

I have 6 beautiful children of my own as well as one very fabulous moko who I am fortunate to have living close by and we get to have time with.

My Mum also lives close by and loves to visit to read stories for the tamariki. They often call her ‘Nana’ and she is well loved by them.

I am a qualified Home-Based Educator with current First Aid and Child Protection certificates and a beautiful park-like home setting with loads of space for fun, exploration and imagination.

I enjoy being part of the learning and development of young children, getting to know them, how they think and what their interests are as they share their understandings and we build connections.

Looking forward to meeting you and your tamaiti.

Elisha

Morningside

Kai Ora, I'm Elisha. I'm a mum of 3 wonderful girls and live with my 12 and 10 year olds, my husband and 2 cats at Morningside. My 21 year old has flown the nest.

I am qualified (Diploma in ECE) and have worked in the ECE sector for 28 years and still have the passion and energy to do what I love.

I've worked in all areas of ECE from under 2's, over 2's, a 4.5 years old transition programme, a teen parent unit, even as a cook in a centre. During all this my heart always comes back to home-based education. The pros to this sector for both educator and tamariki are endless.

I'd love to tell you all about it, so, if you are looking for care, wanting to chat to someone about those pros of home-based education, then I'd love to chat.

I believe we are a community of people raising our next generation together, ensuring the tamariki have happy, healthy, supported childhoods and that whanau never should have to feel alone on this journey.

This is why I chose The Village to bring in under the umbrella I provide as a home-based educator.

We are building a village for our tamariki and it's a pleasure and a privilege to be part of that journey for so many tamariki.

Paige

Hokianga

Kia ora, my name is Paige. I’m an experienced early childhood teacher with 10 years in ECE and a year previously in homebased care.

After spending time at home with my son Sullivan who is nearly 2 I’m excited to be returning to homebased care here in the beautiful Hokianga.

We’re based on a large farm property just minutes from the beach, so our days are filled with fresh air, nature, and plenty of outdoor exploring.

I believe tamariki learn best through play, following their interests, and extending their learning through thoughtful provocations and books with our indoor environment and resources reflecting the experiences we’ve had outside.

“The best classroom is roofed only by the sky.”