Here at Kids at Play, we recognise quality Staff as our Key Resource. We believe in providing our team with ongoing professional development, both personally and collectively. This is done both internally and externally.
Our Centre Manager, Supervisor and Head Teacher support and lead our team. We have a Professional Practice Facilitator, a Cook, an Administrator and ten teachers, including our part-time staff.
Tania Swann, Centre Manager/Menetia
Kia ora, Talofa lava, Hello. I live in Riverhead, West Auckland, with my two children on 3.5 acres.
I have worked at Kids at Play since October 2001, and in 2015, I celebrated 20 years—of service in ECE (early childhood education).
I am passionate about providing children with a safe, fun, active environment where they can grow and develop the skills in readiness for life. I strive to provide a learning environment that ensures excellent education and care by partnering with families/whanau and educators to raise resilient children.
Louna Iti, Supervisor/Kaiako matua
Kia ora. 2020 marked my 20th year in ECE, all of which I have served here at Kids at Play.
I have always found working alongside young children very rewarding, and in regard to the curriculum and child development,
I am most interested in guiding communication and social skills in an environment encourages children to be confident, capable and curious learners.
As part of the teaching team, I aim to provide our learners with a fun, respectful and challenging environment.
Danella Sionetali, Head Teacher/Kaiako matua
Kia ora. I am of Niuean/Cook Island heritage but was born and bred in NZ. I am part of the original team since 2001.
Early education epitomises an optimal start for children in their younger years. We've all heard the phrase, "A child is like a sponge." They are constantly absorbing every aspect of what they do, see, feel, hear, touch & taste! I aim to ensure these are all deemed learning opportunities with respect, nurture, guidance and positivity. In the long term, I can only hope I'm supporting children to develop their confidence, independence, resilience, thirst for continued learning, and social competence.
Gerlie Salcedo, Financial Administrator/Kaiahumoni
Unna Balasubramanian, Full Certificated ECE Teacher/Kaiako
Anne Robinson, Professional Practice Facilitator/Kaiako rangatira
Gay Mallari, In Training ECE Teacher/Kaiako
Jane (Jin) Zhou, Certificated ECE Teacher/Kaiako
Katie Prebble, ECE In Training Teacher/Kaiako, Under 2’s Teacher.
Asuka Morimoto, ECE Certificated, Under 2’s ECE Teacher/Kaiako
Keilani Joyce, ECE In Training Teacher/Kaiako
Jelena Cook, Full Certificated ECE Teacher/Kaiako
Vivian Cao, Full Certificated, Under 2’s Teacher/Kaiako
Margie Alarcon, ECE Relief Teacher/Kaiako