What parents say about us
"I've never been somewhere where I feel so comfortable. I enjoy being able to hang around and spend time with my kids, get help with the things I want to achieve and make new friends."
- Trace -
Our Team
Committed to your whānau
Our kaiako are qualified early childhood educators committed to guiding Aratupu tamariki on their pathway to growth. This caring, dedicated team embraces ako (our education ethos) and offers a wealth of professional experience.
Behind the scenes, Aratupu kaiako stay current with the latest education research and create individual plans to support our tamariki. During centre hours, they sow the seeds of lifelong learning. Every learning experience is engaging, exploratory, and positive and through each experience, life skills, positive values, and a passion for learning are instilled.
That unique ‘home away from home’ feeling at Aratupu is thanks to the nurturing, holistic approach our kaiako bring to their daily teaching practice.
Meet The Team
Katie
Centre Manager
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
(Early Childhood Education)
Aratupu has been part of my life for twenty years and in many ways, it’s my home. Relationships formed at Aratupu come from the heart and every member of the Aratupu whānau is respected and valued.
Tamariki are the soul of Aratupu. Our kaiako adapt their teaching to the strengths and passions of each child so that their education interests them. We understand how important whānau is to the wellbeing of our tamariki. Our whānau support ensures that everyone in the Aratupu community is given the opportunity to thrive without judgement.
Marcia
Practice Lead
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
(Early Childhood Education)
It’s a pretty special feeling to be a part of the Aratupu whānau. Our community has a strong sense of belonging and every member is empowered to seek support, share their unique strengths, and grow personally. Raising tamariki can be challenging and lonely, and sometimes it takes a village – that’s why we’re here.
Our kaiako are committed to building and maintaining authentic relationships with our tamariki and their whānau. As a result, Aratupu tamariki develop emotional security, social competence, and self-esteem. This helps them understand how valued they are and that they can achieve anything.
Bethany
Kaiako - Preschool
Bachelor of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education)
Aratupu holds a special place in my heart and is the reason I chose to become an early childhood teacher, after watching my own children grow within the environment here. Through the warm welcomes and close relationships built between kaiako, whānau and tamariki, I feel right at home. I love learning alongside the tamariki, supporting them to grow and develop to the best they can be. Tamariki at Aratupu get to experience learning with others from all walks of life, opening their views on the world and giving them the social and emotional skills to navigate anything.
Kelly
Kaiako - Preschool
Diploma of Teaching and Learning
(Early Childhood Education)
I’m privileged to work in a real environment with genuine people. I’m proud that the Aratupu community accepts each other for who they are. We build safe, trusting relationships with our tamariki every day and these are mirrored in the positive interactions between us, their whānau, and Hannah our Whānau Support.
Aratupu tamariki enjoy a socially diverse education alongside peers from many walks of life. This teaches our tamariki social equity and to value everyone’s contribution. Our carefully planned curriculum teaches self-belief, life skills, and empathy. In turn, I learn from our tamariki and their whānau.
Chloë
Kaiako – Nursery
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching
I love the way tamariki and whānau are valued and supported on their individual journeys at Aratupu. After completing a teaching placement at Aratupu as a student, I knew that this was the community I wanted to join.
Aratupu is a community hub that brings people together. Whānau are the experts when it comes to their tamariki at Aratupu and there are many opportunities for our whānau to be part of centre life and share their unique knowledge and skills. I love watching our tamariki gain a real sense of belonging as they grow and develop.
Nik
Kaiako – Nursery
Diploma of Teaching
(Early Childhood Education) and Certificate of Infant and Toddler Mental Health
I love that Aratupu holds the wellbeing of its community above all else. It’s a place that offers a sense of belonging and a safe space to be yourself. It’s a place where everyone – whānau, tamariki, kaiako, staff – is enabled to grow. I’m proud that Aratupu makes education a positive experience for the entire whānau.
The Aratupu community works hard to grow great little people who love learning. Every Aratupu child has a strong sense of self, understands their identity and culture, is socially competent, and emotionally intelligent.
Melissa
Kaiako - Preschool
Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching
Aratupu is a special place I am so lucky and proud to work here! Everyone always feels welcome. This place has always felt like I have come home, I even shared this in my job interview. When I was deciding if I wanted to train as an early childhood kaiako I spent a day at Aratupu which sealed the deal for me becoming an Early Childhood Kaiako.
Aratupu has such an awesome community which really has tamariki and whānau at the heart of every decision that is made. Whanaungatanga is a Te Ao Māori concept that Aratupu truly embraces ensuring strong connections and relationships between tamariki, whānau, staff members and community creating individual positive learning outcomes for tamariki.
Larissa
Kaiako - Preschool
Bachelor of Teaching - ECE
Georgina
Kaiako - Preschool
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
(Early Childhood Education)
Deb
Whānau Support Worker
I love the strong community values at Aratupu, how whānau and tamariki are supported in a holistic way and culture is celebrated. I am passionate about empowering parents and caregivers, they are the experts for their tamariki. Being a strong voice for tamariki is also important to me. Offering support and advocating for whānau can enable them to reach their goals and for tamariki to thrive. At Aratupu we offer opportunities for whānau to connect with each other in a safe and inclusive space, where they feel at home- there is always a hot drink on offer!
Kirsty
Preschool Cook & Teacher Support
As a staff member, I enrolled my child at Aratupu because I love the sense of belonging here. The kaiako and other whānau made me feel a part of the community immediately. Aratupu tamariki are treated like whānau – with lots of arms to hold them, love them, guide them, feed their pukus and souls, and fuel their curiosity. I’m proud of Aratupu’s warp-around services that support the entire whānau. As a parent, I feel supported, cared for, and safe because I know the staff care about the well-being of our whole whānau. It’s such a special place.
What parents say about us
"Aratupu is like my second home. I feel valued for being me; my children and I are not judged. We all feel safe here. My kids learn so much coming here. Everyone is so kind and caring."
- Tarsh -
What parents say about us
"The information she [whānau support worker] has access to and the ways in which she can provide support is just amazing. From help with appointments to food, or just anything."
- Sarah -
What parents say about us
"Teachers/Kaiako combine their big hearts with their knowledge and experience to provide a responsive environment where tamariki are empowered to grow and develop in their own way and at their own pace."
- Marcia -
