Our centre philosophy.

Children’s wellbeing is our priority and we achieve this through providing a nurturing and engaging environment. We work together in partnership with whanau, tamariki and the community to promote responsive, reciprocal relationships as we believe this is the foundation for learning. The natural environment is an important part of our curriculum.

We enjoy the outdoors in all weather allowing children opportunities to explore and challenge themselves by taking risks. We encourage ākonga (learners) to learn to connect with and care for our environment and each other. We nurture our future generation to respectfully heal and walk the Earth, mindful of the footprint they leave behind.

We believe in fostering an environment which embraces a key teacher framework for developing authentic, trusting, reciprocal relationships between kaiako, tamariki and whanau. Respects and accepts diverse cultures and individuality. Encourages children to take risks, challenge themselves and build social competence in an environment where their interests and strengths are valued. Inspires tamariki to walk softly on the earth and connect with the environment.

Our Awards

Healthy Heart Award

The Centre believes it is important to promote positive attitudes towards food and nutrition, and every year we work towards achieving the NZ Healthy Heart award.
The Healthy Heart Award Programme recognises that we have created, and nurture an environment that promotes healthy eating as well as physical activity into our daily routines. This lifestyle is woven throughout our practices, and aligns with our sustainability practices and Enviroschool Award.

Enviroschools Award

Stepping Stones is committed to connecting ngā tamariki with the environment through exploration, planning, designing and taking action in collaboration with our community. Being an enviroschool ensures that we embody the five guiding principles that underpin the enviroschools journey; Empowering students, Learning for sustainability, Māori perspectives, Respect for the diversity of people and cultures and sustainable communities. We are proud to be part of an environmental action based program that supports tamariki to lead sustainability projects.

Team Leaders

Sarah Whitmore
Sarah Whitmore Centre Manager
Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Teaching (Primary and ECE) Full Certification,
First Aid Certificate,
Currently Studying Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership 2022.

Stephanie Boniface
Stephanie BonifaceHead Preschool Teacher
Diploma of Education (ECE) Full Certification,
First Aid Certificate.
Jasmine Hampshire
Jasmine HampshireNursery Head Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, in History, Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary and ECE) Full Certification, First Aid Certificate.

Preschool Teachers

Alicia Governor-Robinson
Alicia Governor-Robinson Preschool Teacher
Diploma of Education (ECE) Full Certification, First Aid Certificate.
Natasha Skudder
Natasha SkudderPreschool Teacher
Bachelor of Education (ECE) Full Certification,
First Aid Certificate.
Andrea Hogg
Andrea HoggPreschool Teacher
NCFE Cache level 4 Certificate Early years advanced practitioner ECE UK, First Aid Certificate.
Hayley Flack
Hayley FlackPreschool Teacher
Diploma of Teaching, Full Certification First Aid Certificate.
Kelsey Morrison
Kelsey MorrisonPreschool Teacher
Bachelor of Education (ECE) Full Certification, First Aid Certificate.

Nursery Staff

Kathy Wilson
Kathy WilsonNursery Teacher
Diploma of Teaching (ECE) Full Certification,
First Aid Certificate.
Hana Masseurs
Hana Masseurs Nursery Teacher
Diploma of Teaching, ECE Qualified, First Aid Certificate.
Erana Reid
Erana ReidNursery Teacher
Bachelor of Teaching,
ECE qualified,
First Aid Certificate.
Samantha Drummond
Samantha DrummondNursery Teacher
Bachelor of Arts, in Psychology
First Aid Certificate

Support Staff

Tracey Beban
Tracey BebanCentre Domestic
Health and Hygiene Certificate (Food,) First Aid Certificate.

Kim Perez
Kim PerezCentre Administrator
Studying Level 5 Business Diploma, First Aid Certificate.

Regular Relievers

Brenda Chandler
Brenda ChandlerReliever
Diploma of Teaching (ECE) Full Certification, First Aid Certificate.
Yan Jia
Yan JiaReliever
Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) Full Certification, First Aid Certificate.
Sandy Brown
Sandy BrownReliever
20 + years in ECE experience, First Aid Certificate.
Maddison Moke
Maddison MokeReliever