About Us

Alcyon Komene

Kia Ora my name is Alcyon  and I am the centre owner and am also a passionate teacher at Manaaki.  I am a registered teacher and have a Graduate Diploma in Teacher (ECE) and have a Bachelor Degree in social services and have been teaching for 15 years. I have 3 daughters, Zo my eldest is also a teacher at Manaaki. Opening a centre has been my dream and as Kerikeri is my hometown, it is even more special to me having a centre here.  

I am passionate about giving our tamariki the best possible start in life alongside their matua (parents) by providing a quality centre with an environment that tamariki and whanau become completely at home in. My awareness and intuitiveness help me in supporting matua on their journey as well as tamariki. Whanaungatanga (building strong relationships) is of the utmost importance to me, providing the foundation of connection and learning. This gives tamariki a sense of belonging and knowing we are here for them on all levels and for matua (parents) a belief that their tamariki are safe, secure, happy and ready to learn at Manaaki.   My core values are Tika (doing what is right), Pono (being open and honest) and Aroha (pure love, empathy and respect).

This is reflected in all I do and are important attributes to have as a teacher, team leader and mentor. My teaching practise is underpinned by The RIE philosophy (deep respect) and primary caregiving. 

Zo Komene-Campbell

Kia Ora, I am Zo and I work alongside our over 3’s children in the Kahikatea Room. I am locally grown, born and raised in Kerikeri my whole life. I have worked in the ECE sector for 10 years and with all age groups. Respect heavily underpins my teaching philosophy, and I believe all children are entitled to respect, love and understanding. I am very creative and have a big love for art and music. I enjoy giving children new art experiences and seeing their natural creativity bloom. I also love nature and am big on taking tamariki for adventures in the paddock and woods to explore and make discoveries.

Alongside that I am a lover of all living things, especially insects and bugs and enjoy role modelling that to tamariki, too. I love nature and feel it is vital to the soul to be immersed in it and connected with Papatuanuku every day. “Children more than ever need opportunities to be in their bodies in the world – jumping rope, bicycling, stream hopping, and fort building. It’s this engagement between limbs of the body and bones of the earth where true balance and centeredness emerge.” David Sobel

Kaitlyn Frear

Kia ora, my name is Kaitlyn. I am one of the kaiako situated in the kōwhai room. I am currently a third year student, studying for a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). I am also a qualified nanny and have 8 years experience working within the education and care of preschool children.

I believe that each child is competent with their own ways of knowing, being and doing.  My caring nature to nurture children safely, sensitively, and fairly encourages their learning capabilities and uniqueness.

Dani Price

Kia ora my name is Dani Price and I'm a fully registered teacher with 10 years of teaching experience. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education as well as a Postgraduate Honours Degree in Science and Maths teaching. I spent the early years of my teaching career with intermediate and high school students. After moving to Northland four years ago, I also made the year level move to primary school teaching. Last year I had my first baby, which led me to ECE teaching as a way to stay connected to the teaching sector and stay close to my baby. 

I am passionate about teaching and learning, especially through play and science. I love to see tamariki learning through their passions and in a way that is fun and interesting for them. The move to Early Childhood Education has been really enjoyable, and I've learned lots already. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside the amazing tamariki at Manaaki. 

Trish Kerr

My name is Trish Kerr, I started working at Manaaki Childcare in March 2023. I have worked in early childhood education for many years and I am enjoying being a part of an awesome team at Manaaki. I have 5 grown up children who we raised in Kerikeri and 18 gorgeous gifts, my grandchildren.

I have had the pleasure of teaching lots of children in our community and watching them grow up into young adults. I have also had the opportunity to care for some of their babies. I am looking forward to my future at Manaaki.

Tess Fox

Kia ora! My name is Tess. I gained my Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008 and have worked in ECE ever since. I’m originally from Horotiu, but my family moved to Kerikeri when I was 10. I’ve always loved working with children, from my first job as an after school program worker and babysitting roles to going straight into my early childhood degree after finishing high school. I worked in Kerikeri for a few years before moving to England with my now husband, where we lived for nearly 11 years.

After having my daughter Ada, the need to come home and be close to family was too big to ignore so we packed everything up and came back in 2022. I visited Manaaki with the idea of getting back into teaching after having Ada, with a bit of relieving, but I quickly became a permanent member of staff. I love being outside, and having big discussions with the children is one of my favourite things about my job. I think fostering independence and helping the children be their own positive role models is really important, and our smaller setting supports this well.

Susan Harrison

Kia ora, my name is Susan Harrison and I am a third year student completing my Bachelor degree in Early childhood education and I am a kaiako in the Kowhai Room.

Teaching is a profession that is in my family, with my mother being a New Entrant school teacher. I always loved helping out with setting up her classroom and supporting her learning programmes at various times. These experiences were a huge motivation for me to pursue a career in early childhood education.

I believe in the importance of whanaungatanga as a key ingredient to a successful learning environment for tamariki. Through building responsive, reciprocal relationships between kaiako, tamariki and their whānau, a sense of inclusion and belonging is achieved. All tamariki are unique, and I always strive to uphold their individuality within their learning journey. Through guiding, nurturing, and supporting, I hope to assist tamariki in becoming capable, confident, life long learners.