Meet The Team

Nicole Honiss | Director

Nicole’s vision for Little Sparrows is to provide a well-resourced, supportive environment where each staff member, child, and their families, feel a genuine sense of belonging. Nicole strongly believes that every child deserves the best care and education possible. She endeavours to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential while having fun learning in a safe and stimulating environment.

Carolyn Curgenven | Centre Manager

Hello, my name is Carolyn and I am very excited about leading the teaching team at Little Sparrows. I have been devoted to early childhood education for over 20 years. I started out as a Nanny, training through the Ashton Warner Nanny Academy.

I went on to have my own children and became a Home Based Educator until my youngest son started school. I then began working as a student teacher in an Early Learning Centre where I upgraded my Nanny Diploma to a Diploma of Teaching. I have since worked in several different teaching and supervisory roles in New Zealand and Australia and have also upgraded my Teaching Diploma to a Teaching Degree.

I thoroughly enjoy working alongside children. I love the fact that children are unpredictable and often underestimated; that is what makes my chosen career so exciting! I also enjoy working as a mentor for student teachers. This helps me to stay up-to-date with current research and prompts me to continually reflect on my own teaching practice.

I love life and try to make the most of every moment both at work and at home. Time is so precious and I enjoy spending as much time with close friends and family as I possibly can. I have a great sense of humour and could not get through the day without a few good laughs. Please feel free to approach me about anything at all. I look forward to getting to know all the children and their families at Little Sparrows.

Kate Welten | Supervisor

Kate is a qualified primary school teacher who has discovered her passion for teaching lies with children under five. She is a positive friendly teacher who is full of energy and enthusiasm which is contagious amongst the team. Kate enjoys all aspects of the teaching programme with a special interest in early literacy and numeracy.

Kate is a champion dressage rider and has won several events including NZ Young Rider Champion three times as well as representing New Zealand in different events both here and overseas. Kate is a huge fan of animals and has several pets besides her precious horses. We are excited to have Kate on our teaching team.

Ashlee Vant Leven | Teacher

Ashlee is a qualified early childhood teacher in her 4th year of teaching. Ashlee has had experience working with mixed age groups and preschool settings. A highlight for Ashlee has been travelling overseas to the UK and Europe. Travelling abroad has given Ashlee a deep appreciation of a diverse range of cultures, and she has recognised the importance of good quality early childhood education.

Ashlee’s initial interest in teaching children developed when she worked as a swimming teacher during high school and continued over the years as she was involved in surf lifesaving. Ashlee loves to set up physical challenges for the children allowing them to explore their sense of self awareness. Ashlee makes the effort to get to know each individual child and caters her teaching style to create individual learning goals specific to that child. Ashlee ensures all children reach a personal  feeling of success.  Ashlee’s love of sport is evident in the physical activities she promotes. Children are naturally drawn to her and she quickly develops lasting relationships with them and their families.

We are very excited to have Ashlee join our teaching team.

Leva Matangi | Student Teacher

Leva is a dedicated passionate teacher and we are so lucky to have as part of the team while she is studying at the University of Waikato. Leva has a warm loving personality which allows her to form strong caring relationships with all of our learners at Little Sparrows. Leva has an amazing musical talent in more than one language!

We have been fortunate enough to learn some Samoan songs with Leva. She is a beautiful singer and great on the Ukelele and Piano. The children all resonate with Leva’s bubbly and playful personality, from this she creates many learning opportunities for our Tamariki at Little Sparrows. 

Grace Adams | Teacher

Grace is a 2013 graduate from the University of Waikato who has spent time travelling Europe enhancing her passion for teaching. She is a bubbly and enthusiastic teacher who is eager to be involved in all areas of the teaching programme. Grace has a passion for languages, particularly Spanish and New Zealand Sign Language.

Grace comes from a rural background so has a strong love for the outdoors and keeping fit. Grace enjoys outdoor activities with the children, observing how they respond to different environments and maximising the learning opportunities in different settings.

Michaela Honiss | Student Teacher

Michaela has recently graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Social Sciences, majoring in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management. During this time Michaela has also been working at Little Sparrows and has recently come to the conclusion that her passion really lies within Early Childhood Education, and is therefore now completing a Post Graduate Diploma in ECE.

Michaela describes herself as a real peoples person who is very approachable and has created close relationships with all the children and their families. Michaela’s culinary skills & passion are very evident as she is regularly enjoys cooking for and with the children. Michaela is a valued member of our team, and she looks forward to the exciting times ahead with her chosen career path.

Amy Gillies | Teacher

Amy is a 2016 Graduate from Wintec. Throughout her training Amy worked with us and we are now thrilled to have her as a qualified member of our teaching team. Amy is a devoted Rudolf Steinerenthusiast who strongly believes in promoting independence. Amy is warm and loving towards children and has a special way of relating to and understanding them, knowing just what each individual child might need. She is a strong believer in allowing time and space for children to learn and make new discoveries at their own pace.

The interesting activities Amy offers the children are engaging. She is completely focussed on bringing out the best in every child. We are excited to have Amy as part of our Teaching team at Little Sparrows.

Rachael Honiss | Teacher Aide

Rachael is a second year student at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology studying towards a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Imaging. Rachael works here at Little Sparrows during her Term break holidays. She has a genuine passion for working with children and her outgoing personality allows the children to naturally warm to her.

She loves engaging with children through many activities especially outdoor play and art. Her enthusiastic, friendly approach towards every child is why she is a valued team member here at Little Sparrows.