Whekii3 months to 18 months
Campus Creche Hillcrest
Whekii
It all starts here!
Whekii caters to our smallest tamariki, from 3 months to 16 months old, in a beautiful old, home-like villa on the Campus Creche Hillcrest grounds with a teacher/child ratio of 1:4. Our team is culturally and linguistically diverse, offering a range of skills and passions that help to foster open-ended learning experiences and strong reciprocal and responsive relationships with each tamaiti and their whaanau.
Our centre offers a diversity of play spaces to encourage free movement and floor time for infants and meet toddlers' specific developmental needs.
Day Outline
Our daily programme includes singing, dancing, reading books, exploring the outdoors (including excursions), sensory experiences (water play, sand, playdough, paint, messy play, etc.), and weaving aspects of Te Ao Maaori into our daily programme. Tamariki have opportunities for solitary playtime and small group experiences. Experiences are provided that promote independence and self-motivation. The daily programme links into programme planning for each tamaiti.
We follow the daily rhythms and individual needs of each tamaiti.
Mission Statement
Our environment provides opportunities for the physical and emotional development of tamariki to unfold naturally at their own pace. We aim to provide safe challenges to enrich the learning of tamariki through fun and exciting experiences.
We are sensitive to the daily rhythm of each tamaiti. We value open communication and building reciprocal relationships with whaanau to foster a sense of belonging.
We embrace and celebrate the bicultural heritage and cultural diversity of all of our tamariki, whaanau and kaiako at Whekii
Staff information
Leona
Head Kaiako
I started working at Campus Creche in 2001. I am originally from the Czech Republic and have been living in Hamilton since 2000. I have a strong passion for nurturing infants and toddlers. I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, skiing, going to the beach and practising yoga. I speak English, Czech, and basic te reo Maaori.
Sunita
Second person Responsible
I started working at Campus Creche in 1997. I am originally from India and have lived in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton for over 40 years. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going on short hikes/walks, cooking, gardening, having a nice, organised space, and watching Indian programmes. I speak Punjabi, Hindi, and English and know some te reo Maaori sentences and phrases.
Yurika
Qualified Kaiako
I started working at Campus Creche in 2018. I grew up in Kobe, Japan, studied art history at a university in Kyoto and came to NZ in 1993. I enjoy learning and teaching languages, tramping, playing music, travelling, arts and crafts, yoga and pilates. I speak Japanese (1st), English (2nd), Chinese (Mandarin) (3rd), French (4th) and some te reo Maaori, and I am now learning Russian, German and Korean.
Swastika
Qualified Kaiako
I started working at Campus Creche in 2023. My family and I moved to New Zealand from Nepal in 2014 and have been here since. In my free time, I enjoy catching up with my friends and relatives and I am involved in the Nepalese community in Waikato, where I teach Nepalese Cultural language and dance every Sunday.
Koowhai
Set on Hillcrest Road and looking out towards the University, our Koowhai whare is a vibrant and busy space for toddlers to experience the world and grow holistically. Our spacious backyard style play area offers opportunities for tamariki to explore the natural environment and develop in a socially responsive environment purpose-built for their developmental stage.
Day Outline
The Koowhai day is structured in a way that supports both free-play and care routines. Tamariki are supported with a predictable routine that ensures they can anticipate what is going to happen next. Kai (food) times are supported based on the developmental stages of the tamariki, and nappy changes are done by adults that the tamariki know deeply to ensure comfort and well-being are upheld.
Mission Statement
Tamariki are at the heart of everything we do in Koowhai, and we believe that this all begins with, and is supported by, relationships. We believe in fostering positive relationships with people, places, and things for tamariki, whaanau and kaiako.
We support tamariki to have a strong sense of belonging and identity and nurture the child's holistic development through providing experiences and opportunities influenced by the aspirations of their whaanau. As intentional teachers, we provide a safe learning environment that is warm and responsive to children's needs. We celebrate the diverse cultures of each tamaiti in Koowhai and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi by weaving Te Ao Maaori into our daily practice and recognising Maaori as tangata whenua.
Poipoia te kaakano kia puaawai - Nurture the seed, and it will blossom.
Staff information
Priscilla
Head Kaiako
I started at Campus Creche in 2014. I grew up in Kirikiriroa/Hamilton, but whakapapa to Kawhia, where I spent lots of time as a tamaiti. I have four tamariki of my own and I enjoy road trips with my whaanau, waka ama, and sports and I am on the Board of Trustees at my children’s school. I speak English and te reo Maaori.
Wenli
Qualified Kaiako
I started at Campus Creche in 2022. I grew up in the north of China in a small town where I enjoyed playing in the snow, and I moved to the city when I was a teenager. I enjoy Chinese folk dance, Chinese calligraphy, painting, Chinese violin (erhu), ukulele, travelling, cooking Japanese food and yoga, and I am part of the Spring Arts Association. I speak Chinese (Mandarin), English, and Japanese, and I enjoy singing in Maaori and other languages.
Chayne
Qualified Kaiako
I started at Campus Creche as a relieving kaiako i from 2019-2021, so I am very familiar with this beautiful environment. I was born and raised in Gisborne and then later moved to Hamilton to study at the Waikato University where I graduated in 2020. I come from a big family with many siblings. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family. watching movies/shows, relaxing and listening to music. I am very excited to be apart of a team that nurtures children's learning and development.
Maire
Set on a hilltop overlooking regenerating native bush and the new inland port, our Maire whare caters to tamariki from 2 years to 3 and ¾ years and offers opportunites for children to collaborate and grow holistically. The Maire team support culturally responsive development and recognises the importance of whakapapa in the learning journey of each tamaiti. With a purpose-built music room offering opportunities for music and movement and a day that is free-flowing, tamariki thrive in this generous and spacious environment.
Day Outline
The Maire day is free-flowing and caters to the individual needs and rhythms of tamariki. Morning and afternoon tea are offered, and children are empowered to learn about the needs of their bodies. Care routines are intentional and support the autonomy of tamariki to lead their learning day while supporting the needs of their bodies. Before lunch, the Maire whaanau gather to listen to stories, sing, and dance together as a community.
Mission Statement
We believe that the bi-cultural heritage of Aotearoa is very important. We recognise Maaori as tangata whenua and strive to provide an environment that acknowledges both partners to Te Tiriti O Waitangi. We believe all our tamariki come with mana, and we do our best to provide an environment that allows them to reach their full potential.
We encourage our tamariki to be independent while still having the support of the Kaiako. We live by the term “ako”, which means we all learn from each other; we work as a whaanau. Whakawhaanaungatanga is very important, not only with tamariki, whaanau, and kaiako but also with the land we live on and the world around us.
We acknowledge and respect all our Maire whaanau. We also believe in supporting our tamariki in this ever-changing digital world. We aim for tamariki, whaanau and kaiako to have fun during their time at Maire.
Staff information
Tahlia
Head Kaiako
Ko Tautoro te Maunga
Ko Nga Toki Matawhaorua te waka
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te Marae
Ko kereru te awa
Ko Nga Puhi te iwi
Ko Ngati moerewa te hapu
I started at Campus Creche in 2021. I grew up in Taranaki, although whakapapa to the north. I am an amateur and professional boxer when I am not teaching. I speak English and understand te reo Maaori well, but I wouldn’t call myself fluent.
Sarah Yi
Qualified Kaiako
I started at Creche in 2009. I grew up in Taiwan and moved to New Zealand when I was 16 to study for high school and university (Waikato) and meet my husband. I enjoy music, dancing, and cooking. I speak Chinese (Mandarin), English, a little bit of Cantonese, te reo Maaori, and Japanese.
Karlene Davies
Qualified Kaiako
Hi, my name is Karlene. I am from Hamilton and currently living with my family in Ohaupo where we have been for the past 10 years. I am excited to be here at Creche in Maire. My journey at Creche started 28 years ago were I stayed for 11 years before going off to further my experiences in Early Childhood around the Waikato. I am very happy and excited to come back here as it feels like coming home for me. I have one grown daughter Shania, two sons Harry and Jack and also my partner Steve. I also have two grown stepchildren Casey and Jim and two grandsons Beauden and Max and another on the way. I look forward to meeting you all in the near future.
Tepola
Qualified Kaiako
Ko olovaha te waka
Ko Talau te maunga
Ko Vaitukakau te awa
Ko Vavaú me tongatapu ngaa iwi
Ko Mataika me Veitongo ngaa hapuu
Ko Siasi tauataina me Siasi Pentikosi o Tonga ngaa marae
Ko Tupou VI te Rangitira
Ko Sii ratou ko Sione ko Ami ooku tugaane
Ko Leka raaua ko Kina ooku tuakana
Ko Alisi raaua Ko Uhila ooku matua
Ko Tepola Finau tooku ingoa
I’ve been working at Campus Creche since 2018. I first started at Creche in the Holiday Programme, where I worked for five years. I enjoy working with tamariki. I am passionate about creating a space for tamariki to challenge their tinana strength. I am also passionate about supporting our tamariki to learn and develop their holistic development uniquely.
I was born and raised in Kirikiriroa with my beautiful and fantastic whaanau. I am of Tongan descent and have a big family of 9 consisting of my parents, three brothers, two sisters and a baby nephew. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my whaanau, watching my brothers play sports on weekends, taking care of my nephew and playing social sports during the week. I’m very excited to be part of a team that is like whaanau and express the similar passions that I do working with tamariki.
Kauri
Nestled in 11 hectares of natural, park-like grounds, Kauri offers lots of opportunities for children to explore, engage, and grow. Following the individual interests of each tamaiti, the teaching team offer diverse experiences both in the centre and during community excursions. Environmental sustainability is a large focus for the Kauri community, and we have large and productive vegetable gardens and fruit trees that we eat from year-round. We have birds, chickens, Poppy (our lizard) and more that the tamariki help to care for.
Day Outline
Our days are free-flowing, and free play is accessible to tamariki throughout the day. During the day we have an optional morning and afternoon tea, group singing time, lunchtime, and sleep time, for those that sleep.. Children are supported to grow their independence through daily routines and are empowered to help with all aspects of our day.
Mission Statement
At Kauri kaiako aspire to create a culture of care, where tamaiti are encouraged to: care for their environment; care for each other; and care for themselves. Kaiako will: support tamariki to learn holistically through social interactions with others; provide authentic and culturally responsive experiences; and enhance child-led play. Our learning environment fosters: a strong sense of identity and belonging, natural connection, curiosity and awe; courageousness; creativity; and problem-solving.
Staff information
Rebekah
Head Kaiako
Kia ora e te whaanau. Ko Rebekah toku ingoa. I started working at Campus Creche in 2023. I am very excited to be joining the Campus Creche whaanau in ruma Kauri. I have lived in Kirikiriroa most of my life and currently live on the outskirts with my husband, two children and fur babies.
Vanessa
Qualified Kaiako
I started working at Campus Creche in 2008. I grew up in Kirikiriroa and in my early adult life I spent time living overseas. I enjoy the beach, fishing, hiking, and gardening in my spare time. I speak English and basic te reo Maaori
Mandeep
Qualified Kaiako
My name is Mandeep Kaur Bhatia, and I am thrilled to join the Campus Creche team in Kauri. My hometown is Chennai in South India, and I later moved to Chandigarh in the North before settling in the beautiful city of Hamilton. One of my passions lies in the arts, particularly drawing and sketching. I believe that art plays a crucial role in promoting holistic development and self-expression among children. I joined the Campus Creche whaanau in 2024.
Arlette
Kaiako
I started working at Campus Creche in 2008. I grew up in the small town of Ejeda in Madagascar, where everyone knew each other and had strong community bonds. I love reading, gardening, and walking. I speak Malagasy, French, English and a bit of Chinese (Mandarin).
