Our Team
Libby Hunt
Director / Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Libby Hunt and I am the centre owner/director here at Nurserydale Childcare; I joined Nurserydale in May 2014 and have never looked back, enjoying every moment!
My husband, Pete and I have three adult sons, our youngest is in University. I hold a Diploma of Teacher Early Childhood (1989) and also completed Level 3 of the Playcentre Certificate (2006).
I have taught in early childhood centres and primary schools for 25 plus years, eight of those at Maungawhau Playcentre, where I also mentored new mothers and organised/facilitated ECE training.
Nurserydale is a small, family orientated centre with genuinely strong, respectful and loving relationships between the teachers and children. The first thing that strikes you when you walk into the centre is how happy, confident and settled our children are.
I have a strong passion for early childhood education, believing this is the most important time of a child’s life. Children need to be at the forefront of every decision we make as a teaching team and I am enjoying the challenge of continually moving forward with research and implementing best practise.
Haere tū atu, hoki tū mai
Michelle Rodriguez
Early Childhood Educator
Kia Ora! My name is Michelle. I gained my ECE qualifications in the Philippines and New Zealand. I have worked in various learning environments in the Philippines and Brunei with children from four to seven years old.
I moved to New Zealand in 2010. In the New Zealand setting, I have early childhood experience working with children from 0 to 5 years old, most of which has been with Infants and Toddlers.
At present I live in Birkenhead, with my husband and daughter. I joined Nurserydale in November 2016, where I am part of the Continuity of care team. I really value being in a centre that practices this model as I can see first-hand how it benefits the children’s development during the crucial stage of their first thousand days of life.
Cathie Hunter
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Cathie Hunter. I have worked in ECE for more than 24 years. I joined Nurserydale in 2000. I am a registered teacher in Early Childhood, completing my training in 2006. In 2017 I completed a Certificate in Te Ara Reo Māori and use Te Reo every day in my teaching practice.
Over the years I have seen many children and their families pass through our centre. The teaching staff have all worked together for a very long time, which makes us a strong dedicated team. We are family oriented and as most of us have lived in the area most of our lives, we have gotten to know the families well.
The children in our centre are happy, energetic, curious learners. We are dedicated to ensuring the children in our care get the best possible start to their learning adventure.
About me: I love what I do, each child is an individual with their own likes, dislikes and ways of dealing with their world. I am blessed to be able to spend time getting to know these children, to understand who they are and how they learn. Helping a child explore, inquire, learn and grow, in a way that is right for them is a very special part of being an Early Childhood Teacher.
Kay Penman
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Kay Penman and I hold a NZQA qualification in Early Childhood. I have lived in Birkdale for 45 years and I have spent over 25 years teaching and caring for the children at Nurserydale.
My own child attended Nurserydale and I know first-hand how well our children are cared for and extended in this nurturing environment.
I am committed to empowering and supporting children and their families so together we can help our children to become well-rounded, confident and competent learners.
Jamie Parola
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Jamie and I am originally from the Philippines. I am a fully qualified and registered teacher and have been working with children since 2014. I joined Nurserydale in December 2020. I am passionate about using the natural world and its resources to teach children while also promoting inquiry based learning. In addition, I am dedicated to teaching young learners the value of protecting the environment and advocating for sustainability.
Natasha Hampton
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Natasha. I joined the team at Nurserydale in 2023. I have grown up and lived all my life in Birkdale and love being part of this community. I am currently working towards gaining full certification. I am passionate about the development and learning of our tamariki, working towards ensuring our tamariki are confident and capable in their learning, and I love seeing tamariki ignite their own life-long passions for learning.
Elena Lu
Early Childhood Educator
I have been working with children as an ECE teacher since 2014 and I was thrilled to join the Nurserydale family in June 2021. I was born in Hainan, China. It is a beautiful island there are many breath-taking natural beaches, coconut trees and tropical fruits. I am fortunate to been raised in a warm and loving family. I am a daughter, sister, wife and teacher.
I see myself as a teacher who is responsive, caring and enthusiastic. I strongly believe that each child is a unique and special young learner, and as a teacher, I have the great responsibility to create an inspiring, positive and responsive learning environment that caters for each child.
Ginger Ouyang
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Ginger. I completed my degree in ECE in 2021 and I have been relieving in different centres until recently joining the team at Nurserydale. I was born and raised in China, my hometown is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic region and I am delighted to share my culture as well as learn other etiquette and culture of New Zealand.
Joining Nurserydale will be a very meaningful journey, where I will learn and grow with the teachers, children and their families.
Dee Dee Htun
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, everyone. My name is Dee Dee Htun, I joined the team at Nurserydale in 2019. I was originally from Burma and moved to New Zealand in 2001. I completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in 2016.
I am part of the 0-3 Continuity of Care team and I enjoy working with children of all ages. I am passionate about early childhood education and working in an environment that supports learning.
At Nurserydale teachers take care to look after not just the children and their whanau, but also each other.
Ayla Goodwin
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora everyone! My name is Ayla and I have been a part of the Nurserydale team since December 2017. I lived in Kaitaia for a majority of my life but moved to Auckland in 2014 to go to University.
I graduated with my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in December 2016 and relieved at various centres on a casual basis until I found my home here at Nurserydale Childcare. I have a strong passion and desire to work with young children and I always knew this was the career path I wanted to take.
Working with children brings me so much joy and every day brings something different.
Ludia Yoon
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora! My name is Ludia and I am very excited to be a part of the Nurserydale team and community. I have completed my degree in ECE in 2019 and have since been teaching in various learning environments. I come to the early childhood profession with rich cultural experiences, self-knowledge, and a passionate heart for learners. I am especially committed to the moral development of a child, and encourage their ability to love learning, show respect and build healthy relationships.
I was born and raised in New Zealand but my parents originate from South Korea. Being a Korean New Zealander has grown my love and awareness for culturally responsive pedagogy and creating a sense of belonging for children from all cultures.
Sarah Flynn
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora everyone, my name is Sarah. I completed a student practicum at Nurserydale in 2020 after which I joined the team as a reliever. Since finishing my studies and graduating in 2023 I became part of the Continuity of Care team.
I love working here in Nurserydale and I love the strong sense of community. I believe it is important to build and develop strong relationships with children to ensure they feel supported to grow into competent and confident learners.
I live locally, here in Birkdale. Outside of work I am a dancer, trained in ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dancing. I also teach beginner ballet, jazz and tap classes.
Leigh Penman
Early Childhood Educator
Kia ora, my name is Leigh Penman, but the kids call me Leelee. I have lived most of my life in Birkdale and have enjoyed working at Nurserydale since 1998. I have two children and two grandchildren.
I love working at Nurserydale as every day is different and the families have such a strong sense of community. This environment is rich in learning for both the children and teachers alike.
Kylie Rowe
Cook
My name is Kylie and I have grown up and spent most of my life here in Beach Haven. I have two children that attend Beach Haven Primary School. For the past 15 years I have worked as a hair colour specialist, but have recently changed my career path to the early childhood sector, starting as a cook here at Nurserydale Childcare Centre. It is amazing to have the privilege to learn new things and to be part of this awesome team.
Charmaine Bhana
Early Childhood Educator - Reliever
Kia ora my name is Charmaine Bhana, I am a fully registered Early Childhood educator and I am currently relieving at Nurserydale. I have worked at Nurserydale on and off since 1996. I have built strong relationships with the families in the community.
I am passionate about the development and early learning of young children, and enjoy seeing children develop a love for learning. I have four children of my own and at present three young mokopuna.
Kaliyani Reddy
Early Childhood Educator - Reliever
Kia Ora, my name is Kaliyani Reddy. I am originally from Fiji, and moved to New Zealand to settle with my boys here. I have two boys and now two grandchildren. I have a Bachelor of Teaching in ECE and have worked at Nurserydale as a childcare educator since 2009. In 2023 my family moved north of Auckland and I now work at Nurserydale as a reliever.
I have always loved working with young children and enjoy the friendly, relaxed and nurturing environment which you feel immediately when you walk into Nurserydale.
