Life-Start Learning Centres

Yvonne Prentice | Centre Manager (Preschool)

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Kia-ora, my name is Yvonne and I have a lovely husband named Randal, I have five adult children with their husbands and wives, who have produced seven wonderful grandchildren and two more on the way.

I started my career in early childhood at play centre with my young children. This gave me the passion for early childhood in teaching children to grow and develop into capable young adults.

My career has consisted of working with teenage mums and helping them look after their children while they went back to learning. The next stage in my career I went to Victoria University to receive my Diploma of Early Childhood education in 2006. I have worked in a range of early childhood settings with all ages of children attending these environments and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching and encouraging them to grow as young children.

Waina Peni | Centre Manager (Cottage & Nursery)

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Ko Waina me Pisaina toku ingoa. 

Ko Samoa ahau.

Ko Rimutaka toku maunga.

E noho matou i nainei i Wainuiomata

My name is Waina, also known as Pisaina. I am the wife of Mauaivao Peni and a mother of two beautiful children, Enoka and Vanza. We fellowship at the Oasis Hutt City New Life Church in Naenae.

Loi Isaako | Cottage Team Leader

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)​

My background in Early Childhood Education is a mixture of working  for Pacific Island Nest, Kindergarten and Childcare. I love sharing with children and teachers the experience I have, my talents and interests, through lots of positive guidance and being honest with making decisions and choices that benefit children's learning and professionalism for teachers.

I am passionate about being a team player, sharing knowledge, showing commitment to my duties, maintaining effective professional relationships and focusing on the learning and well-being of all children. 

Rebecca Rewha | Nursery Team Leader

Bachelor of Teaching

Parmila Watkinson | Preschool Teacher

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

It's great to be a part of the team at Life-Start Preschool. I am very excited to teach children of this age. As well as teacher training, I also did three years at Bible College of New Zealand (now called Laidlaw College) in Auckland majoring in Children's Ministries (Religious Education in Schools). I am passionate about teaching and learning. It brings me great joy to see children learning and growing in different areas of their lives. I am married and have 4 children aged from 12 to 18 years.  We all look forward to going to Upper Hutt Baptist Church on Sundays.

Faamanu Gogo-Simeona | Preschool Teacher

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

I have been working in ECE for ten years, where I learnt a lot from getting along with parents and the community.

Andrew Robins | Preschool Teacher

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

I have been in ECE since the early 2000s. I have two children - Liam (5) and Molly (3) - and love to spend as much time playing with them as I can. I create and perform music in a country outfit, and I deejay. I have been a writer for years as well.

I started with primary study and then realised ECE might be more my thing and I have been in this profession ever since. I derive a lot of pleasure from helping children to learn through exploration and engagement in their interests.

Makasini Koloa | Cottage and Nursery Teacher

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Malo e lelei! Ko Makasini toku ingoa.
Kia ora and hello! I'm Makasini Koloa. I'm a Tongan married woman, mother of four children, grandmother of nine children. Teaching is my passion and my interests are in music, arts and cleaning! 

Sui Vaelei | Nursery Teacher

20 years Montessori experience

Merciana de Guzman | Nursery Teacher

Diploma of Teaching (ECE)

Christine Jaurigue | Executive Manager

BA in Psychology and English Literature;  Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)

I have a love for the arts, especially music and visual arts. I love to travel and being outdoors and I aspire to share this love with the children. I lived and taught in London for a couple of years which helped me gain a new perspective on what it meant to be a teacher, and how important it is not only to be educated but to also leave your comfort zone and see the world.