Tessa Dunleavy
Crèche Manager / Registered Teacher
Devonport community Crèche has been my second home since joining this learning community in 1994. I brought with me a background of experience working for the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA) as teacher at Belmont Bayswater, head teacher of Devonport and Milford kindergartens, before taking the role as senior teacher for the AKA, where my connections with these North Shore kindergartens continued.
My son Johnny was born in 1994 and, living in Devonport, I wanted to make a difference within my own community. Both Johnny and my daughter Millie treasure their memories of Crèche and Johnny's daughter Mali became the next generation of Dunleavy-Howard whanau to enjoying a part of the creche community. My husband Paul is able to share in the journey of our Crèche alumni in his role as teacher at Belmont Intermediate school and we celebrate the many successes of children from our community.
The success of the Crèche is founded on the strong connections kaiako, whānau and tamariki bring. Many of the kaiako have worked together for a long time and have brought up their tamariki here. They have a deep loyalty towards the Crèche and the tamariki and whānau under our care.
As Manager of the Crèche my challenge is to keep these valued connections and build new ones. This will enable the Crèche to continue providing the quality education and care for the most important members of our community. I am well supported in my role, surrounded by a strong, dedicated and talented teaching team and a talented Crèche Governance Board. Collectively the creche community ensures the needs of our tamariki remain at the heart of purpose and practice.
Ngā mihi nui
Tessa
Sarah Ganley
Registered Teacher
Hi, my name is Sarah and I live in Narrow Neck with my husband, Roger and our daughter, Ella. We have a son, Miles, who currently lives and works down in Wellington. I have lived on the North Shore almost all my life, growing up in Campbells Bay.
We came to live on the peninsula when Miles was a baby because we love the beach environment. My first connection to Crèche was through my children attending and I have been privileged to work here for a number of years now.
I love the community aspect of both living and working in our amazing neighbourhood alongside dedicated teachers with wonderful, supportive families and inspiring children. In my spare time you may often see me out walking our dog, Mac, enjoying any one of the many beautiful walks available to us.
Jenny Rees
Registered Teacher
Kia ora,
I began my teaching career back in the late 70's after graduating from Hamilton Teachers College. Huge changes have taken place in ECE since then and I am very happy to still be involved and still excited by the learning that takes place in the years from 0 to 5. I have been teaching at Devonport Crèche for 20 years, fortunate to have worked with Tessa and Sarah throughout this entire time, endeavouring to meet the needs of the community and provide a creative and stimulating environment for the children.
I live in Bayswater with my husband and son and love the close proximity to shops, sporting facilities and walking tracks. When I am not at Crèche I enjoy being outdoors, going for walks and pulling weeds out of my garden! I also like to spend time with my Mum and sisters at Mt Maunganui, swimming in the surf and walking around Mauao – I am yet to tackle the summit track!
I absolutely love teaching at Devonport Crèche and feel privileged to work alongside such highly qualified, passionate and dedicated staff, supportive and enthusiastic parents and competent, creative and inspiring children.
Arohanui,
Jenny
Caroline Beasley
Registered Teacher
Tena koutou katoa, Hello everybody
My name is Caroline and I live in Devonport with my husband John. We have four adult children Rose, Jess, Cushla and Ewan.
I feel privileged to be a part of the Crèche community working alongside qualified, committed teachers, friendly parents and, of course, your wonderful children.
Every day at Crèche brings new challenges and experiences, but being able to share these with my friends makes anything and everything possible.
When I am not at Crèche you will find me out walking, pulling weeds from my vege garden, reading or trying to avoid doing housework!
Warm regards to you and your children,
Nga mihi nui,
Caroline
Yanan Li
Registered Teacher
Kia ora,
My name is Yanan. I was born and raised in Bejing, China. I’ve been studying and working in New Zealand since 2016, and graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching in 2019. I spent the first 2 years of my NZ life in Auckland and I still love it here very much. So here I am, back again!
My background back in China was around digital marketing and project management. However, I found my passion for working alongside children in NZ, so I then chose to change my career and now feel that it was such a brilliant decision!! I love children and feel extremely privileged to witness and contribute to their growth and development. I respect and highly value children’s voices and deeply believe in teaching from the heart. I still remember that the first day I entered our crèche, I straightaway felt the warm, loving, and nurturing vibe from how the children communicate with each other, and how the teachers interact with children. My first thought was ‘Yes! This is the place I have been looking for!’ And then, luckily, here I am!
In my spare time, I love to ‘get lost’ in our beautiful nature with my camera. Also, I am a freelance child and family photographer, which is my other way to work with children and freeze-frame their unique moments in their lives.
Arohanui,
Yanan
Rozanna Colman
Registered Teacher
Kia Ora. I'm Rozanna and I live in Belmont with my partner Jason and our 2 boys Cooper and Jack. Both boys have attended Devonport Creche, Jack has moved onto Belmont Kindergarten and Cooper now goes to Belmont Primary School.
It is lovely to be back relieving in the Creche environment with such passionate teachers who are supportive, encouraging and welcoming.
I graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Education (early childhood) in 2008. Before having children I worked as a preschool teacher in Albany which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I love to exercise, go to the beach, visit new playgrounds, listen to music, spend time with family, eat yummy food, cook, and meet up with friends.
I look forward to seeing you all again at Creche or in the Devonport Community.
Arohanui, Rozanna.
Maddy Hill.
Registered teacher
Kia ora whānau,
Growing up on the Devonport Peninsular and attending local schools before moving off to Wellington to study gave me a great appreciation for the amazing community we live in.
I gained a Batchelor of Arts degree majoring in Education and Psychology at Victoria University before completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Whilst I studied in Wellington I worked at a Community Creche and this experience ignited my passion in ECE. I place high emphasis on building strong relationships with tamariki, kaiako and whānau and creating an environment where tamariki feel safe to be curious, explore, learn and have fun. I am excited to be able to work with the team at Creche and look forward to enabling your tamariki to reach their potential.
Arohanui Maddy