We employ a high percentage of qualified and experienced ECE teachers and are currently operating with 93% qualified staff.

Our team is led by Sue Bennett, the Director of Campus Creche who has worked in different sectors of early childhood for nearly four decades - kindergarten, play centre, and education and care.

Each of our centres has Head Teachers who make up part of our Management Team.

Sue Bennett

Director

Diploma of ECE

I came to Campus in 1996 where I began as a teacher in Preschool. Over the years I have worked as the Assistant Director and have been the Director since 2002.

I am passionate about my work with young children and believe it is such an important time for them as they are developing so quickly in their formative years. My commitment as an early childhood teacher is to give children all sorts of rich experiences that will help them gain the knowledge and skills to build strong foundations they will use for the rest of their lives.

I live in the country with my husband, Wayne (of several decades) and our pets. We have a family of three grown children. I am a grandmother of five beautiful grandchildren who give me so much pleasure. My interests include: being family orientated, being a hands on ‘Grannie’, gardening, photographic scrapbooking, walking, exploring the natural world and travelling.

Leona Bunce

Head Teacher Whekī

Diploma of Teaching ECE

Kia ora. I originally come from the Czech Republic and have been in New Zealand since 2000.

I started working at Campus Creche in 2001. I am passionate about working with young children and their whānau.

I have one primary school-aged son and I enjoy spending time with my family, at the beach, skiing and travelling.

Rangi Tapara

Head Teacher Maire

Diploma of ECE

Kia ora

Tu rangatira tōku maunga ko Taupiri i te ao, i te po

Rere kau ana te awa ō Waikato

Rauika mai ki te marae ō Te Awamarahi

Te whare whakaruru hau mō te hapu ō Ngati Amaru

Te mana, te ihi o te iwi ō Tainui

Hoea mai tōku waka ko Tainui ki roto i te whare ō Pōtatau Te Wherowhero

Ka tapā oku mātua te ingoa ko Rangi Tapara.

Kia ora, my name is Rangi Tapara and I have been at creche for 22 years now.  I have three boys who have been through Campus Creche.

I believe that the tamariki come to us, not as individuals but as the taonga of their whānau and carry with them the mana of their whānau and tupuna.  Supporting tamariki as they learn new things is something I really enjoy.

Nga mihi 

 

Kelly Palmer

Head Teacher Kōwhai

Diploma of ECE

I began studying my Diploma is 1998 and have been working in early childhood ever since. My experience ranges from working in childcare with both under twos, over twos, and Kindergarten. In 2005 I started working at Creche in Maire.  I then moved to Nīkau as the Head Teacher and have now joined the Kōwhai team.

Family means the world to me. I have a wonderful husband, six children including four step children. My boys Sam and Jacob have both been through childcare. My interests include reading, photography, scrapbooking and walking.

I really look forward to getting to know you all and being one of your child's teachers while they are at Kōwhai.

Tim Bennett

Head Teacher Kauri

Diploma of ECE

Kia ora

I have worked as an early childhood teacher for almost ten years now, working in diverse communities in Hamilton, Auckland and London.

My passion is for nature based education programmes and environmental sustainability. Throughout the years I have been involved in various research projects in conjunction with the University of Waikato focusing on conversations with children, learning through the medium of digital technologies and children’s dispositional changes in a nature based education programme. 

 

Melanie McFarlane

Centre Manager @ Fraser

Graduate Diploma in ECE and Primary Education along with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

I am a mother of five children, the oldest is 19 and the youngest is 11. I am married to Brian and he and I own a Gym in Frankton called Fit Figures Gym. We enjoy keeping fit and active so we can do things with our children.

I am passionate about children's learning in the early years and believe that children learn best through play, encouraging children to think for themselves, challenge themselves, and explore their environment without adult fears interfering. Always with a mind to safety and facilitating further learning.