OUR TEACHERS
Our best educators
HeadStart isn’t a place of work, it’s a home and a family. We understand how difficult it is leave your child for the day. Rest assured, they are in safe hands – this is a profession and a passion, and why our teachers stay with us for years.
Chris Diprose
Purchased Headstart March 2011
I have over 20 years of experience in the early childhood and Special Education industry, working as a nanny, teacher, Early Intervention Teacher, and Education Resource Centre manager. I’ve lived and worked in New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney, London, and New York, and have traveled extensively. After obtaining my Bachelor of Teaching and a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Intervention, I returned home and started a family. Together with my parents, Geoff and Di Bunny, we purchased HeadStart Early Learning in March 2011.
HeadStart is not just a business for me; it’s my passion. I’m not interested in expansion, as I believe our centre’s uniqueness stems from the dedicated teachers, wonderful children and families, and the supportive community we’ve fostered. I envision HeadStart as a place where both children and parents feel safe, loved, and respected, and where all learning and growth opportunities are nurtured. I am incredibly fortunate to have an amazing team whose expertise, knowledge, and support have been instrumental in making HeadStart the excellent centre it is today. Their commitment to providing an outstanding educational programme and learning environment is evident in their relationships with the children and families, and is reflected throughout the centre.
Christine Lee-Hardwick
Joined Headstart February 2022
I completed my Bachelor of Education (teaching) specialising in Early Childhood Education at the University of Auckland in 2016 and have been teaching ever since. I enjoy every day that is spent working alongside tamariki and their families to ensure they have the best possible start to their education journey. HeadStart feels to me like one big whānau of teachers, children and parents/caregivers, with children’s learning at the heart of the centre.
I was born and raised in Te Atatū South, though I am very connected to my Malaysian Chinese culture. I speak conversational Mandarin, and with the help of my family, I’m also learning Cantonese and Hokkien.
My spare time is spent outdoors and on adventures such as going on walks, swimming, paddle boarding, and fishing. I also love to cook and spend time with my family. Environmental sustainability is very important to me and I am passionate about doing what we can to look after our environment.
I value learning through play, as well as supporting holistic development.
Seeing children thrive in their early years as confident young people is what I love most about teaching. It is so very rewarding for me to support them in making discoveries, trying new things, and developing socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I feel so proud when children leave our centre, with the skills and right attitude for lifelong learning. I look forward to supporting you and your child on their learning journey!
Meagan Bakewell
Joined Headstart January 2022
I have lived in Auckland my whole life, growing up in West Auckland. I love to garden and have lots of house plants! I spend most of my time enjoying quality family time with my husband, daughter, and my cat Monika.
I have a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education. I have worked in centres across both West Auckland and parts of the North Shore. I am extremely happy to call HeadStart Early Learning my home.
I have been working in early childhood education for over 10 years now and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I sincerely love being a part of children’s lives and being able to support their learning journey throughout the early childhood years. My teaching philosophy focuses on holistic development with an emphasis on emotional and social development. For me, this means supporting children’s whole development (emotional, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual) to connect to the world around them. It is also important for me to foster curiosity and encourage the exploration of different interests as this can help support a child’s lifelong love of learning.
It is also important for me to incorporate biculturalism into my practice as there is a wealth of knowledge I can learn from each individual and their families. I support and honour Te Tiriti Te Waitangi and its guiding principles. I strive to protect and practice te ao Māori and te reo Māori within my practice.
Lucy Presnall
Joined Headstart January 2017
I love having the opportunity to be a teacher to support children grow in confidence and build their self-esteem. I enjoy discovering children’s passions and using this to create strong trusting relationships. The relationships allow me to encourage children to take risks and challenge themselves and through this become competent individuals ready for life – long learning.
I started teaching in 2002 and gained by Diploma in teaching ECEin 2006 and have been in various teaching roles. I love working in a supportive team environment with passionate teachers. I am married and 2 children who bring me great joy and challenges which allows me to be a supportive person to parents as well.
Mi Hee Jang
Joined Headstart May 2005
My interests include reading, cooking, fishing, jigsaw puzzles and playing the guitar. I’ve often been described as creative, happy, healthy and friendly around children. My favourite areas of teaching are creative building, science experiments, exploring natural environments and motivating children to find their own interests.
I am qualified in teaching and received my B Ed in Early Childhood Education from AUT in 2004. I was born in Korea and have lived in New Zealand since 1996. I really enjoy my life as a teacher because children always give me happiness and it is so rewarding.
Tatiana Watene
Joined Headstart January 2017
Relief Teacher from January 2025
I am proud to be the Head teacher, and work alongside an inspiring team of teachers who are passionate and committed to providing high quality education and care. Each teacher brings a wealth of knowledge and skills, which keeps me learning and thriving in my role… together we make an awesome team!
Seeing the child through a holistic lens, allows me to understand the whole child and celebrate their uniqueness. I love empowering children to grow and learn in their own way, capable and confident in themselves and the strengths that they contribute to the world. I am passionate about learning through play and fostering social and emotional skills, resilience is key!
Tuakana – teina or peers learning from one another, works particularly well in our multi age environment. The positive dispositions we observe from these interactions builds successful foundation skills for building relationships and friendships with others. I love being apart of these warm moments, where children learn and grow from each other.
Outside of work, I love walks in nature, travelling the world and our beautiful country, markets, health, wellness, animals and quality time with family. I can’t wait to meet you and your little one(s) and welcome them into our HeadStart family!
Amanda Fourie
Joined Headstart September 2020
Relief Teacher from June 2022
Christo and I have three sons with families, including five beautiful grandchildren. We love nature and the beauty and freedom we have to travel and live life to the fullest.
I love the joys of life such as being able to work with the next generation and empower them to reach their full potential through playful social interactions, new experiences, and my favourite science activities. I have a special interest in neurological development and especially the influence of epigenetics on children’s behaviours.
Rika Strauss
Joined Headstart January 1999
Relief Teacher from June 2022
I have been teaching at HeadStart Childcare and Early Childhood Centre since 1999. Currently I am retired, but have the privilege to stil be part of HeadStart Early Learning Centre through relief teaching.
I initially trained in South Africa as a Pre School (Kindergarten) and a Junior Primary School Teacher (thus early childhood, new entrant, year one and two), but chose early childhood as a vocation in 1981. I still see it as a privilege to teach and learn alongside tamariki after all these years. Their honesty, sincerity and inquisitiveness have ensured a very rewarding career with no single day the same. I also value the individual strength each colleague brings to our learning environment as together we have created an unique place for children 2 – 5. In 2012 I up-skilled to a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of Auckland, which enriched my teaching skills.
I believe in a holistic approach, but especially place high value on the social and emotional development/competence of young children, as I see these aspects as the foundation for future success, independence, and competency.
I am fond of nature and all the creatures in it. It is therefore important to me to grow children’s awareness, passion, and interest in the important role they will play as future guardians(kaitiaki), of our natural environment.
Kim Nelson
Joined Headstart January 2019
I’m a qualified chef who started a cooking apprenticeship in 1982 earning a London City and Guilds qualification and then worked in small restaurants to large hotels working my way up the ranks to Head Chef.
I’m married to Sangeeta and we have two children. Gabriel and Jaya, who both attend High school. My son Gabriel plays softball for the the Roosters and also umpires games when needed, and my daughter does dancing including Ballet, jazz, lyrical and troup competitions.
I was a hands on dad when our children were born and attended all of the day care and school trips and it was during these very early years I realised babies and toddlers weren’t as scary as I first thought. In fact, I loved being around these little people that I became the primary caregiver while Sangeeta went back to work.
When the opportunity to be the centre chef here at Headstart came about through a mutual friend I thought that working around children all day was something I could quite easily do and seeing these little people greet me in the morning is a great way to start the day and is food for my soul.
My interests outside of work include charcoal BBQing, Hot Rods, American cars and PC video games. Saturday evening at the Nelson household usually means movie night with the kids.
Amber Rimmer
Joined Headstart November 2013
When I arrive and they say Hi to me. I like watching the children play and enjoy themselves.
I also have a volunteer role at the Massey Hospice shop where I work one morning per week.
I participate in sports with Special Olympics Waitakere taking part in swimming and 10 pin bowling.
I also dance and perform with Starjam.
At the weekends I like hanging out with my friends, going shopping, movies, and bowling. I like watching Netflix and Disney Plus and listening to music at home.
I am the middle sibling in my family. My family is very important to me.
Headstart Early Learning is proud to be locally owned and operated, HeadStart is an important part of the Hobsonville community, helping grow the hearts and minds of children for over 25 years.
Centre info and opening hours
- 7:30am - 6:00pm
- 09 416 4300
- 193 Hobsonville Road, Hobsonvlle, Auckland, 0618
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