OUR TEAM
Meet The Team Behind
The Children's Garden
WHY CHOOSE US
Passionate, Qualified & Caring Teachers
CENTRE OWNER
Juanita
A proud mum of four, wife, and owner of Kowhai Consultancy Services, Juanita operates three Early Childhood Education centres across the Bay of Plenty. After years of parenting, she set out to build the kind of ECE space she wished her own children had had — one where families feel like whānau, not clients. At the heart of her work is the desire to build a nurturing space for children and families, where everyone feels valued, heard, and supported.
CENTRE MANAGER
Ruby
Kia ora tatou, I’m Rubie Holmes. Raised near the Hokianga Harbour in the Far North, I grew up in a rich bicultural environment that shaped how I see learning — through relationships, land, and language. My journey in ECE began at a parent-led Playcentre over 20 years ago, and I’ve since worked across a range of settings. It is an absolute pleasure to be joining the passionate team at The Children’s Garden, where the values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga are lived every day.
PRESCHOOL TEAM
Our Preschool Teachers
TEACHER 2IC
Jenny
I’ve been part of the team at The Children’s Garden for over 7 years and it still feels like a privilege to walk in each morning. Building warm, caring connections with tamariki and their whānau is really important to me — I believe that genuine relationships are the foundation of a child’s confidence to explore, take risks, and learn. I’m passionate about respectful, culturally responsive practices and love being part of a team that puts children first.
TEACHER
Emma
I’m a passionate teacher who loves working with children, and no two days here are ever the same. I love getting involved in messy play, arts and crafts, storytelling, and imaginative play — the kind of hands-on moments where children learn how the world works. Seeing a preschooler lose themselves in a story or a paint-covered project is one of the best parts of my job. Every small discovery feels like a win.
TEACHER
Staci
I’ve been teaching since 2014 across the North Island and I still believe every day brings a new adventure. An environment showing the true meaning of manaakitanga (caring for others) and whakawhanaungatanga (building connection) helps tamariki thrive — and that’s what I work towards every day at The Children’s Garden. Whether we’re in the garden, at Bush Kindy, or curled up with a book, I want every child to feel they belong.
TEACHER
Nat
A qualified ECE and primary teacher, Nat brings a huge passion for early childhood education and a natural ability to connect with tamariki. She believes in inspiring children to follow their own curiosity and achieve their individual goals, whether that’s building the tallest block tower, working out a new word, or making a new friend. Her calm, encouraging style helps children step confidently into new challenges.
TEACHER (UNQ)
Aimee
I absolutely love working with preschool-aged tamariki — it’s such a joy to watch them grow and explore the world through play, especially in a natural environment. I’ve joined the team as an unqualified teacher and I learn alongside the children and my colleagues every day. What I bring is energy, patience, and a genuine love of being outdoors with our preschoolers, whether we’re digging in the garden, splashing in puddles, or heading off to Bush Kindy.
ADMINISTRATOR
Bindi
A bubbly, friendly face at the front desk, Bindi is usually the first person whānau meet at The Children’s Garden. She absolutely loves working with children and supporting families through the enrolment process, day-to-day questions, and everything in between. Building strong relationships with tamariki and their whānau is really important to her — she wants every parent to feel welcomed and every child to feel known from the moment they walk in.
BABIES & TODDLERS TEAM
Our Babies & Toddlers Teachers
TEAM LEADER
Lynn
Lynn’s story is a reminder it’s never too late to follow what matters — she went back to study and earned her teaching degree at 49. She joined The Children’s Garden in 2018 and has led our Babies & Toddlers team for several years. She thoroughly enjoys the precious early years and the trust that comes with being part of a tiny child’s world. Building strong relationships with whānau is at the core of her leadership.
TEACHER
Sophie
Working in ECE since 2016, Sophie is deeply passionate about her job and the tiny humans in her care. She loves being a child’s source of comfort during the big moments — the first drop-off, the new tooth, the afternoon wobble — and watching their little personalities grow day by day. Her calm, attentive presence is the kind of quiet steadiness that infants and toddlers need to feel safe enough to explore.
TEACHER
Michelle
Michelle has worked with children aged 0 to 3 throughout her adult life — a specialisation that takes enormous patience, warmth, and an eye for the tiniest developmental moments. ‘I absolutely love what I do,’ she says. ‘I look forward to connecting with whānau and watching your children thrive.’ Her depth of experience with our youngest tamariki means new parents can trust their baby is in genuinely capable hands.
TEACHER
Rajdeep
My journey at The Children’s Garden began during a placement just before Christmas, and I felt a genuine connection from the very first day. I am passionate about creating a warm, inclusive learning space where every child feels seen, heard, and valued — and where cultural identity is woven into everyday play and kōrero. I’m grateful to be part of a team that supports me to keep growing alongside the tamariki I teach.