Hi, my name is Hayley Mellsop, and I am a teacher in the Piha Room at Just Kidz Kelston. I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher with a passion for working with children under 2. I love watching children grow and develop at their own pace, and I love being able to document this journey for our families/whanau.

I live in Glendene with my partner Mike, his two teenage daughters and our daughter Madison, who also attends Just Kidz Kelston.

Since having my daughter, I am even more dedicated to ensuring that we provide quality, loving, respectful care for all of the children who attend our centre and developing trusting and reciprocal relationships with families/whanau. I truly understand what a huge decision it is to leave your child in childcare. I couldn't recommend Just Kidz enough; Madi and I just love it!

My name is Sushila Devi Singh. Originally, I am from Fiji, and I have lived in New Zealand since 2007 with my husband Manoj, daughter Sushmita and son Manish. I hold a Degree in Early Childhood Education, and I am a fully certified teacher. I also have a part-time job at CHT as a healthcare assistant.

I believe that each child is unique, and they have individual rights. They deserve to have their interests and exploration supported, nurtured and extended by their teachers in a natural, sensory-rich environment, with an approach curriculum that will spark and ignite their imagination and love for learning.

I believe in child-initiated play and a curriculum that is supported by children's parents as their first teachers, us as their second teachers, and the environment as the third teacher. We can all work together as a team to support and nurture each child's mana while having fun and learning at Just Kidz.

Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with my family and cooking spicy food!

My name is Resmi. I come from the beautiful South Indian state of Kerala. I have been in the field of education since 2009. I arrived in New Zealand in 2017, and I studied and achieved a postgraduate diploma in early childhood education. I am a registered teacher in New Zealand.

My passion is working alongside children, observing them grow and develop, and creating special moments through conversation, imagination, and friendship. I appreciate the happiness and wonder that early education has to offer, and I feel grateful to be a big part of children's early years.

I enjoy creating a caring environment where children feel welcome and safe. And where I can support them to become confident and competent learners. I love creating a difference and contributing to children's learning and experiences.

I am excited to meet you all.

Kia Ora, Namaste,

My name is Sweta Vaidya; I am originally from India, but I am happy living here in New Zealand with my husband, Jamin. I have more than 4 years of experience in early childhood education, and I am planning on studying for my degree very soon. I am so happy to be a teacher, as I like to provide academic support and optimal care to little ones. I believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to play and explore actively, and I like providing them with opportunities to do this with them.

I enjoy providing children with an authentic learning environment where they can feel safe and happy and will enjoy their learning experiences while at our centre.

I am excited to meet you all.

My name is Ginny, and I was born and raised in the Garden City of Bangalore.

Kia ora, Hello. My name is Rajwinder Kaur. I am a teacher in the Piha Room. I am from India; I have been living in New Zealand with my husband and son since 2015. I love to teach the tamariki in our Piha Room; it encourages me to be creative and proactive every day so I can provide them with a playful and engaging learning environment in a safe classroom. Seeing children growing and developing socially and emotionally, developing cognitive skills, learning to balance, climb, run and gaining more confidence is so satisfying. I am planning on getting my postgraduate diploma in ECE very soon. I look forward to meeting you all.

Kia ora, Fakaalofa lahi atu.

My name is Tui Vihi, and I am of Niuean descent. However, I was born and raised on the sunny North Shore, Auckland. I am a qualified and registered Kaiako, having graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) with Te Tari Puna o Aotearoa, now known as Te Rito Maioha.

I have been living in New Lynn for the past 18 years with my partner Paki and our now-grown teenage children, Eden & Wiremu. In my spare time, I like listening to music, reading, doing puzzles and relaxing with my whānau.

I enjoy learning about our tamariki and their culture and, at the same time, supporting them with their learning through play. I am also passionate about implementing biculturalism and strengthening our partnership with Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our new centre.

Kia Ora koutou o te Whanau

My name is Briana, and I am the new teacher at Just Kidz in the Muriwai room. I am pleased to meet all the tamariki and whanau who are part of this amazing centre. I am a third-year student studying for a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education.

Namaste, my name is Shalini Sharma. I am from India. I came to New Zealand in 2008. I gained my qualification to be a qualified ECE teacher from New Zealand Tertiary College in Auckland. I am a bubbly person who is passionate about early childhood education. I enjoy children's company and always strive to create an environment where children's learning and development are ensured and their wellbeing is taken care of. I am looking forward to being part of the vibrant and nurturing environment at Just Kidz.

My name is Ginny, and I was born and raised in the Garden City of Bangalore. I have my Bachelor of Teaching ECE here in New Zealand, and I have enjoyed twenty years of experience working with Kindergarten children in Bangalore.

I am passionate about working with young children, and I believe that every child is unique. They have their own way of learning and growing. I look forward to working alongside your children, guiding them to follow their interests while providing them with a stimulating educational environment.

Hi, I am Stevie.

I am Just Kids Centre Reliever.

I started working in ECE in 2016 when the doors were opened for me by a lady who used to be my kindy teacher! I found a love for looking after and teaching young children, and I am enjoying working as part of the team here at Kelston.

I have a huge passion for dance and have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I am now a qualified Ballet Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Kia ora, my name is Kelly. I am fully qualified and registered with a Bachelor of ECE. I have been working as an ECE professional for 10 years. I come from a family of 6 and am the youngest of 4 sisters. I believe children are competent and capable learners who learn through play – play is a key part of a child's life, and they should be encouraged to be imaginative and explore the world. I want to be known as a guide rather than just a teacher, someone who guides and supports our little humans in life. I am a huge believer in schemas, which are certain actions children have the urge to do. I look forward to meeting you all.

Kia ora, Hello and Namaste. My name is Vijay Sharma. I am an ECE kaiako at Just Kidz. I hold a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) level 7, and I have been awarded Tiwhikete Whakaakoranga Tōmua – a Provisional Practicing certificate from the Teaching Council of New Zealand. This is my second year in ECE – before this, my passion was Business Studies. I believe respectful and trusting relationships with tamari and their whānau are the keys to the learning and development of children. I feel identifying, recognising and responding to children's interests, needs, culture, and identity goes a long way in the wellbeing of the children and in supporting them to be competent and confident learners. I grew up in India with my parents and brother. I have a lovely wife, who is also an ECE teacher, and I have an amazing daughter currently studying in Year 7 at ACG Sunderland. Outside of work, my interests include travelling, music and reading. I am really looking forward to meeting you at Just Kidz.

Kia Ora & Konnichiwa,

My name is Yuka Fritiofsson, and I grew up in Tokyo / Japan.

My first cooking experience goes back to when I was in my early teens, helping my parents at their traditional Japanese restaurant. Having the opportunity to be trained by qualified chefs from a young age made me really interested in cooking. Being a very active person still made me choose a different career path as an Instructor with a focus on children.

After attaining my degree in Tokyo, I worked at a Fitness Club as an instructor; my specialty was swimming, and most of my students were preschool-aged. During that time, I was also a camp leader at both summer and winter camps for young children.

My adventures as a traveller began in 2007 when I packed my bags and left for Australia; with that, I also started my career abroad as a cook and never looked back.

The highlight in my life is my family, which consists of two energetic boys. They inspire me to become even more passionate about healthy cooking. Having completed training both in England and New Zealand, I also understand the importance of best food safety practices at all times.

I feel very privileged to cook for the children at Just Kidz Kelston, as well as look after and care for them as much as time allows.