ABOUT US
Collectively Kids is an early childhood education centre for tamariki aged three months to six years. We are open from 7.30-5.30 each day.
Our community consists of approximately 50 whānau (with a maximum of 30 tamariki attending each day), eight fully qualified kaiako and support staff.
We pride ourselves on our inclusivity and our commitment to sustainable practices, utilizing cloth nappies, worm farms, and kai from our māra. We work hard to show our commitment to Te Tiriti through our everyday practices and connections with the community. We are a rainbow friendly centre and strive to be as equitable as possible.
PHILOSOPHY & GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Tamariki have the right to:
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a peaceful, safe, secure, healthy, socially just, environmentally sustainable present and future,
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respect, unconditional love/aroha and an early childhood education which recognises them as active citizens and as active participants with rights and responsibilities,
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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:
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full participation and to achievement irrespective of ethnicity, gender, ability or background,
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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
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 tamariki 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 tamariki and whānau. Soya has worked mainly with infants and toddlers and believes that learning best happens when the tamariki'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 tamaiti 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 tamariki and whānau and to support each tamaiti to grow and develop.
Talya Carlson (she/her)
Teacher
Bachelor of Education (ECE).
Talya is eager to work alongside young tamariki 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 whānau.
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 relationships with whānau and
tamariki. She advocates environmental sustainability and believes teaching children to take care
of Papatūānuku from an 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.
After working at Collectively Kids on a permanent basis for over eight years in both Ranginui’s Basket and Te Ao Marama, Veronique recently became the centre’s oncall reliever. This new position will allow her to spend more time with her family while continuing to support the tamariki, their whānau and the Kaiako team at CK.
During her spare time she likes 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 Te Tiriti, sustainability and children’s social & emotional well-being.