Our Team

Genevieve Hathaway – Director

Kia Ora. I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher with 30 years experience. I have been on an amazing journey over the years, working in different early childhood settings and learning so much along the way. Teaching children respect for people and the world in which we live is the core of my philosophy. Children deserve our respect. They deserve energetic, passionate teachers and a quality learning environment. I believe in providing excellence in education for our young children to enable them to become confident, capable, enthusiastic learners who are well prepared for the next stage in their learning journey.        

Talia Goodger – Team Leader

Kia ora! My interest in early childhood education started at Playcentre with my own children. I was so inspired by this incredible time in childrens’ lives, that I decided to change careers, from television production manager, and go back to university to gain a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education to become a teacher!

I believe that children thrive where they have the time, space and resources to discover things for themselves, and I love being part of these discoveries and seeing the world through their eyes. I am excited to be part of this kindergarten community and to be an active part of your child’s learning journey!

Ashleigh McIntosh- Teacher

I am a qualified and registered teacher with 10 years experience teaching in both New Zealand and Australia. I am very passionate about teaching and specialise in helping children transition to school. I enjoy being outside and teaching children about nature and our environment. I love arts and crafts and child-lead project-based learning. I believe in building strong, caring relationships with children and their families, and am excited to be part of a team that shares my values.

Sophie Lewis – Teacher

I am a qualified and registered early childhood teacher from England. I began my teaching career as a secondary school teacher in London and have also worked as a primary school teacher in both London and Auckland. After attending Playcentre I became a qualified early childhood teacher, completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (ECE) in 2017. I have taught in both kindergarten and crèche environments in Auckland.

I believe that children thrive in rich learning environments where they are treated with respect and are encouraged to pursue their learning journeys. I am married with three school aged children.

Jordan West – Teacher

I have recently moved to Auckland from Wellington and have just started my journey at Sunbeams – January 2020. I am passionate about early childhood education and have been working in the industry for eight years. Most recently I have specialised in teaching infants and toddlers. I am also interested in working with the older age group gaining experience across all levels of young children’s early learning and development. I am currently completing my third year of studies working towards a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE).

Alexandra Hathaway – Teachers’ Assistant

I am an enthusiastic, fun and nurturing person and love spending time with children and sharing special moments.

I have worked as a nanny and during that time I developed warm relationships with the children and became a part of the family. It is important to me to build and nurture relationships, be a great communicator and a positive role model.