Tiny Smiles Early Learning Centre

What a fun-filled week at Tiny Smiles!
🌦️✨
We've embraced all kinds of weather while enjoying science experiments, colourful face painting, a nature lesson looking at birds nests and a very special visit from the Merrilands School kapa haka group. ❤️
Ngā mihi nui to the students for sharing your talents and culture with us—it was a wonderful experience for our tamariki.
He wā ako, he wā tākaro – a time to learn, a time to play.
I cant wait to see what next week brings!

And next up in our meet the team we have our Kaiako Andy and Centre owner Jonathan... Two very different roles at Tiny Smiles but both bring so much to the team!

🌈 What is your favourite thing about working with children?

J - Being new to this, I find it’s their wonderment & interest in anything new combined with their ability to forgive & be friends.
Tiny Smiles is literally the best thing I have ever done in my life & walking into the centre, being bowled over with hugs galore by 7 or 8 children who are just excited to see me never gets old.

A - When a teeny person starts and they go from clinging to mum and crying at drop-off, to reaching out to me for a cuddle and comfort, building those relationships is so special to me

🎨 If you could only do one activity with tamariki all day, what would it be?

J - Play chase the ball outside but I do love it when I just get to sit down with them & listen or read a book.

A - One isn't enough - painting/arty crafty with books in-between!

🍦 Favourite ice cream flavour?

J - I’m a Salted Caramel type of man!

A - Orange chocolate chip

🐶 Do you have any pets?

J - Not anymore but I’m a cat person. They have a way of invading your soul, stealing it & then placing it back with a little paw shaped human control button…

A - Two kitty cats named Marley and Jesse

☀️ Favourite season and why?

J - Winter – I love the cold & one of the reasons I moved to NZ was so I could drive to a mountain & snowboard.

A - Autumn, the trees look beautiful as the leaves change colour and it isn't so hot

📚 Favourite children’s book?

J - Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, just because I have great memories of reading this to my son at bedtime.

A - Not one favourite but I love Peepo and Julia Donaldson's books and the Hairy Maclary series is fun to read

🍕 Sweet or savoury?

J - Savoury is my undoing (ask Dale!!!) – pasties, sausage rolls….I’m done for, so I have to be disciplined (fail) with myself.

A - Sweet

🌍 Dream holiday destination?

J - Japan – has always been high on the bucket list of fabled snowboarding destinations.

A - Ireland, Turkey and Japan for starters

☕ Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

J - Coffee, coffee & more coffee……

A - Water for me thanks

🎬 Favourite Disney movie?

J - Jungle Book – The original Disney animation, I might still know all the words to King Louie’s song….”I wanna be like you”

A - I don't have one

🌻 What makes you laugh the most at work?

J - The amazing things that the children say, just zero filter, I love it! I also get to work with the amazing Tiny Smiles team (zero filters too!! 😂😂) & sit next to Kerryn when I’m there so it is never dull or hard work!

A - Listening to the little role play interactions between the children and the hilarious questions they sometimes ask of us

🦖 If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?

J - A cat…I don’t get to sleep enough & cats can sleep all day!

A - A bird flying free and hanging out in the trees, and nests look cosy

🎂 Favourite birthday cake flavour?

J - Chocolate, with chocolate filling, chocolate icing, chocolate buttons on top & ideally, chocolate candles if possible…..

A - Chocolate

🌟 What is one thing the children teach you every day?

J - How easy it is to move on from something & enjoy the moment right now!

A - A reminder to be kind and gentle, to not rush, to laugh freely and just be yourself :)

🚗 Early bird or night owl?

J - Early bird. I’m the quite annoying individual who springs out of bed & loves getting up in the mornings (need coffee though🤷)

A - Night owl

🍓 Favourite lunchbox snack?
J - Egg sarnes, they smell but oh sooo tasty!

A - Pea crisps

There's no limit to what children can create when they're given the time, space, and resources to explore!

Our tamariki have shown a strong and ongoing interest in building, using a wonderful variety of materials. Each creation reflects their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

As they work together, they're learning to communicate, negotiate, plan, test ideas, and persevere when things don't quite go to plan. Every tower, bridge, and unique creation is an opportunity to develop confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

It's been amazing to watch their ideas grow bigger and more complex each day. We can't wait to see what they build next!

Up next we have Tara one of our wonderful Kaiako and Amanda our amazing cook!

🎨 What is your favourite thing about working with children?
T- Watching their confidence grow and seeing the world through their eyes.
A- The relationships, the conversations and the cuddles

🎨 If you could only do one activity with tamariki all day, what would it be?
T- Nature play and exploring outdoors.
A - Messy play!! Love seeing the reactions of the children

🍦 Favourite ice cream flavour?
T- Vanilla.
A- Vanilla

🐶 Do you have any pets?
T - No, not at the moment.
A- 1 dog names Zala

☀️ Favourite season and why?
T - Spring – not too hot, not too cold, just right for being outdoors.
A - Winter because I love being all nice and cozy
📚 Favourite children’s book?
T - Hairy Maclary
A - The little yellow digger

🍕 Sweet or savoury?
T - Savoury.
A - Savoury

🌍 Dream holiday destination?
T - Japan.
A - Ireland

☕ Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
T - Tea.
A- Hot chocolate

🎬 Favourite Disney movie?
T - The Little Mermaid.
A - Tangled

🌻 What makes you laugh the most at work?
T - The funny things children come out with.
A - The little moments with the children, whether its their funny facial expressions, dance moves or the random things they say

🦖 If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
T - A dolphin.
A - A giraffe so I could see the world from a completely different perspecitve

🎂 Favourite birthday cake flavour?
T - Carrot.
A - Dales famous Double chocolate cake

🌟 What is one thing the children teach you every day?
T - To slow down and enjoy the little moments.
A - They show me the importance of kindness, patience, and seeing the world with wonder

🚗 Early bird or night owl?
T - Early bird.
A - Early bird

🍓 Favourite lunchbox snack?
T - Fresh fruit.
A - Grapes

Big thanks to all our whanau who came to our Puanga evening, such an amazing night with awesome activities and great food.

Meet Emma and Orchid! They might be some of the youngest members of our Tiny Smiles team, but they more than make up for it with their maturity, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for working with children. 💛

🌈What is your favourite thing about working with children?
O: I love how every day is different—there's never a dull moment! I love being part of the learning that happens every day, and getting greeted each morning with big smiles and cuddles.
E: Just being able to learn alongside them. You'd be amazed how much they do the teaching!

🎨 If you could only do one activity with tamariki all day, what would it be?
O: Dance parties! 💃
E: Definitely messy play, especially making gloop!

🍦 Favourite ice cream flavour?
O: Cookies & Cream
E: Salted Caramel

🐶 Do you have any pets?
O: My family has three dogs and five cats!
E: Not yet. 😢

☀️ Favourite season and why?
O: Summer—I love going to the beach!
E: Summer because I love being outside.

📚 Favourite children's book?
O: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Kiss, Kiss, Yuck, Yuck, Upsy Down Town, and The Book With No Pictures.
E: The Wonky Donkey.

🍕 Sweet or savoury?
O: Both!
E: An even balance of both.

🌍 Dream holiday destination?
O: Japan, South Africa, and Bali.
E: Anywhere that has a Disneyland!

☕ Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
O: Coffee!
E: Coffee!! ☕

🎬 Favourite Disney movie?
O: Lilo & Stitch
E: Moana

🌻 What makes you laugh the most at work?
O: The dancing face game!
E: Definitely the funny things the children say... and my co-workers, of course! 😂

🦖 If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
O: A swan.
E: A cat—I'd get to sleep all day! 🐱

🎂 Favourite birthday cake flavour?
O: Banana cake.
E: Chocolate mud cake.

🌟 What is one thing the children teach you every day?
O: To appreciate the small wins every day.
E: Patience, and how to look at the bigger picture.

🚗 Early bird or night owl?
O: Night owl.
E: Early bird... but not without my afternoon nap! 😴

🍓 Favourite lunchbox snack?
O: Any type of fruit! 🍓🍎🍉
E: Shapes!

This week meet Jane and Natalie. Two of our wonderful Kaiako! You will often find Natalie running a very interactive Mat time or hear Jane singing with the children....

🌈 What is your favourite thing about working with children?
N= The things they say, they are so innocent
J=Their spontaneity and openness

🎨 If you could only do one activity with tamariki all day, what would it be?
N=Read books/Audio books
J=Sing songs and dance

🍦 Favourite ice cream flavour?
N=Maple & Walnut and Rum & Raisin
J=Hokey Pokey

🐶 Do you have any pets?
N=A Greatdane and a cat - both black and white
J=2 black cats, 1 fluffy, 1 short hair

☀️ Favourite season and why?
N=Spring - its when all new life begins
J=Summer - warmth and sunshine

📚 Favourite children’s book?
N= NeeNaw series
J= The little yellow digger

🍕 Sweet or savoury?
N= Both but more savoury
J= Sweet

🌍 Dream holiday destination?
N= Canada in the Autumn
J=Sienna - Italy

☕ Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
N= Hot chocolate
J= Coffee

🎬 Favourite Disney movie?
N=All of them but if Im picking one it would be The Lion King
J=Sleeping Beauty

🌻 What makes you laugh the most at work?
N=What the children say or come up with
J=My peers (the Kaiako)

🦖 If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
N=Bird, so I could fly up high and see the world
J= Black Panther

🎂 Favourite birthday cake flavour?
N= Vanilla or Rainbow cake
J= Chocolate Mud cake

🌟 What is one thing the children teach you every day?
N= How to be happy and to be able to laugh at myself
J= To not be so serious/have fun and enjoy life

🚗 Early bird or night owl?
N= Night owl
J= Evening person

🍓 Favourite lunchbox snack?
N= Yohurt
J= Raspberry Bun

Meet the Team! Each week we'll be introducing two of our amazing kaiako and putting them through a quick round of fun questions. Stay tuned—you might be surprised by their answers!

First up Its Kerryn our Centre Manager and Dale our Head Teacher!
🌈 What is your favourite thing about working with children?
K= They make you look at the world thru their eyes
D= Always make me laugh, watching them learn and grow everyday

🎨 If you could only do one activity with the tamariki all day, what would it be?
K = Anything fun! Messy! Allows them to explore!
D= Art, creative

🍦 Favourite ice cream flavour?
K= Jelly tip
D= Cookies and Cream

🐶 Do you have any pets?
K= A cat Bella
D= 2 dogs and a cat

☀️ Favourite season and why?
K= Autumn, Love the sunshine but not as hot as summer
D = Winter, love the rain and the fire on

📚 Favourite children’s book? To many.
K= Probably The Gruffalo or Are you my Mother?
D= Any Julia Donaldson book especially Room on the broom

🍕 Sweet or savoury?
K = Savoury
D=Seet

🌍 Dream holiday destination?
K= Japan
D= Scotland

☕ Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
K= Coffee – but not instant haha
D= Coffee and Hot chocolate

🎬 Favourite Disney movie?
K = Finding Nemo – I relate to Dory!
D=Lion Kind

🌻 What makes you laugh the most at work?
K= The chats with the children (and our teachers)
D= Conversations with the children

🦖 If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be?
K= A bird
D= Butterfly

🎂 Favourite birthday cake flavour?
K = Carrot cake
D= Lemon and Blueberry

🌟 What is one thing the children teach you every day?
K = To have fun, laugh, and the power of a hug!
D= They don’t care if we dance funny, cant sing, or do silly stuff

🚗 Early bird or night owl?
K = Night owl
D= Early bird

🍓 Favourite lunchbox snack?
K = Chips
D= Green grapes