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ABOUT US

Collectively Kids is an early childhood education centre for children aged three months to five years.

We are open from 7.30-5.30.

Our community consists of approximately 50 families (with 30 children attending each day), eight teachers and support staff.

We will have a number of part time and full time places available from the end of August as some tamariki leave for kura and overseas. Please email if you are interested in any of these.

Collectively Kids
Collectively Kids

PHILOSOPHY & GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 

Tamariki have the right to:

  • a peaceful, safe, secure, healthy, socially just, environmentally sustainable present and future,

  • respect, unconditional love/aroha and an early childhood education which recognises them as active citizens and as active participants with rights and responsibilities,

  • understand their own heritage and culture within the bicultural heritage of Aotearoa/Nu Tireni/New Zealand.

 

Tamariki and their whānau and families have the right to:

  • full participation and to achievement irrespective of ethnicity, gender, ability or background,

  • express who they are and be affirmed as an individual and as part of a community free from discrimination, assumptions or stereotypes.

New ERO Report Available 

The 2019 ERO Report is now available here.

The 2024 ERO Akanuku Report is now available here

CK Te Tiriti Pukapuka available for purchase $28 plus postage

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Rainbow Safe

Ko Owairaka te maunga

Ko Auaunga te awa 

Ko Whatua Kaimarie te Marae 

Ko Wairaka te tupuna 

Ko Collectively Kids te kura 

Anei mātou, No ngā hau e whā, hei tauira

COLLECTIVELY KIDS KAIAKO

 

Marina Bachmann (she/her)

Owner and team leader at Collectively Kids since 1993

BA, Montessori Diploma, Equivalence to Diploma of teaching, Master of Education

Over time Marina has developed a place-based approach to environmental education with a particular focus on the right of children to an environmentally sustainable future, social justice, citizenship, a commitment to TeTiriti o Waitangi based practice and sharing our approach with the wider community.

Soya Thomas (she/her)

Teacher

BSc in Physics & Bachelor in teaching ECE

Soya has been teaching in ECE since 2010 and started at Collectively Kids in April 2020. She has a strong interest in building relationships with children and whānau. Soya has worked mainly with infants and toddlers and believes that learning best happens when the children's uniqueness is acknowledged.

Julia White (she/her)
Teacher
Bachelor of Education (Teaching- ECE)
Julia joined the CK teaching team in 2020 first as a relief teacher and then as a permanent teacher. Julia is interested in building relationships and connections with tamariki and whānau and the arts.

Vivien Lin (she/her)

Teacher

Bachelor of Education (Teaching- ECE)  

Vivien joined the CK team in March 2021. She believes each child is a unique human being and views them as confident and capable learners. Vivien has a passion for building respectful and reciprocal relationships, and working with children, families, and whānau and to support each child to grow and develop. 

Talya Carlson (she/her)

Teacher - currently on maternity leave

Bachelor of Education (ECE). 

Talya is eager to work alongside young children to discover and nurture their passions and interests and to provide an inclusive environment. She is interested in te reo Māori and building reciprocal relationships with whanau.

Cora Lan (she/her)

Teacher

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Cora has been teaching in ECE since 2009. She values ngā tamariki as capable and competent learners, and respects and celebrates individuality. She has a passion for building reciprocal partnerships with parents and whānau and endeavours to provide an inclusive and meaningful learning environment through respectful practices and intentional teaching.

George Banach-Salas (they/them)
Teacher

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons.)

George believes that tamariki have the right to grow and flourish in a nurturing, respectful and responsive environment with freedom for exploration and agency in their learning. They are interested in creating an inclusive and enriching space and building meaningful, reciprocal relationships with tamariki and whānau. They have a passion for

te reo Māori, art, music, sustainability and social justice.

Tessa Lokeni (she/her)
Teacher

Bachelor of Education ECE

Tessa first joined Collectively Kids in 2018 and was part of the team for almost 5 years. As of June 2024, she has returned to CK and is excited to settle back into her place in the CK whānau. Tessa is committed to growing her mātauranga Māori and applying this in her practice. She is passionate about inclusivity and feels strongly that everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging.

Ismat Nishu (she/her)
Teacher

Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education, BSC in Environmental Science, Master in Business Informatics

Nishu has been teaching in New Zealand since 2021 and joined Collectively Kids in June 2024.

Nishu believes in equity, uniqueness of Tamariki, respectful practice and would like to facilitate

Tamariki achieving their learning goal by building reciprocal relationship with whānau and

Tamariki. She advocates environmental sustainability and believes teaching children to take care

of Papatūānuku from early age is the best long-term solution of environmental issues arising

now.

Veronique McIntosh (she/her)

Relieving teacher

Bachelor of Teaching ECE

Kia ora, Hello, Bonjour. Veronique here, nice to meet you.

After working at Collectively Kids on a permanent basis for over eight years in both Ranginui’s Basket and Te Ao Marama, I have recently became the centre’s oncall reliever. This new position will allow me to spend more time with my family while continuing to support the tamariki, their whānau and the Kaiako team at CK. 

During my spare time I like to spend time outside, going to the gym and reading. 

John Nicol (he/him)

Caretaker

Christine Diggins (she/her)

Admin/Reliever

Bachelor of Education ECE

Chris taught at CK (Montessori Khyber Pass) from 1997-2000. Mother to 3 young adults who all attended CK. Has a strong lifelong commitment to sustainability and children’s social & emotional well-being.

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