Nikki (Head Teacher)

Ko Kohutara te maunga
Ko Harataunga te awa
Ko Horouta te waka                              
Ko Ngati Porou te iwi
Ko Nikki toku ingoa

Kia ora whānau, my name is Nikki and I am a qualified and registered Early Childhood Kaiako and have worked in Early Childhood Education for 14 years. I began my teaching career in the Waikato and moved to Hawkes Bay in 2015. Before becoming an Early Childhood Teacher, I worked in admin and marketing, I had never considered early childhood teaching as a career option (even though I was told it was what I should be doing). It wasn't until I met an Early Childhood Teacher/Manager, who had left the industry and then returned to it. They explained to me what ECE was and sparked my interest for me. They supported me in applying for a scholarship through what was then ABC (now BestStart) and my career as an Early Childhood Kaiako was born. My focus age group has always been infants and toddlers, although I have worked in over two as well. I believe infants and toddlers have so much to offer us all and they soak up all the learning on offer to them, they love to engage in learning, and it is this joy, that fuels my joy in teaching. 

Nicky (Kaiako)

Kia ora whanau,

My name is Nicky, and I have been teaching with BestStart for 14 years now, primarily with infants and toddlers.  I studied teaching at the University of Auckland, and before this, industrial organizational psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North. I also spent time overseas, traveling and visiting family in the U.K. and Europe.

I grew up on our farm in Central Hawke's Bay, and now live in rural Bay View, with my husband, two young daughters, cat, sheep, and hens!   The country is my happy place, and love spending time immersed in nature and water, and enjoying this with my family.   We also love spending time at the beach and local lakes, kayaking, fishing, and exploring.  Nature inspires my teaching, collecting natural resources and loose parts, to form the basis of curriculum.  I am passionate about open-ended, child-led learning, empowering tamariki to develop deep curiosity and an ongoing love of learning.  

Syeda (Teacher in Training)

Ko Syeda Narjis Khurram toku ingoa

I work as a teacher-in-training in the Kowhai Room at Best Start Riverbend. My passion for working with children made me start studying Early Childhood. I have recently completed my Pasifika Early Childhood Education diploma and aim to convert it into a bachelor's degree. It is my pleasure to join this team as a teacher-in-training. My teaching philosophy is based on Whanaungatanga's close connection between people, and relationships with parents, whanau, children, and teachers are paramount.  I look forward to giving my best support and guidance towards our children's learning journey.

Kirsty (Caregiver)

Ko Kirsty toku ingoa, I am a caregiver here at BestStart Riverbend.

I am working in the Kowhai room in the Nest with our Infants. I have been working as an unqualified teacher for 6 years now, while also having my 4 children during that time.

I have developed a passion for working with tamariki. I find it very rewarding to support and encourage the children as they hit their important milestones as they grow. Building relationships with the whanau and tamariki is also important to me, I enjoy connecting with them and building that trusting relationship. I love to learn from the tamariki, in this fast-paced world that we live in, they have taught me to slow down and soak up all of the small special moments in day-to-day life.