NICOLA - Centre Manager

Hi, I am Nicola and I feel totally privileged to be leading Bloom Early Learning & Play. It’s very exciting to be a part of the new Bloom team that so closely shares my belief that love, nurture and care are as critical to teaching as cognitive development and learning.

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I really enjoy the process of learning from each family what it is that their child needs to make sure Bloom genuinely feels like their home away from home. Every child is unique, and it’s our job to learn about each child as an individual - it’s special, and it's a process I cherish.

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My own son ‘Benji’ is enrolled at Bloom, and as we’ve recently relocated from Auckland I’m really looking forward to seeing his friendships develop and watching his progress over these next few critical development years.

As a teacher for 10 years, I can honestly say if you’re looking for somewhere special for your little person, you absolutely won’t find better than Bloom.

ROBIN - Teacher

I was born and bred here in Tauranga and now live in Papamoa East with my husband James, our three young boys; Beau, Oscar and Louie plus our dog Ralph. We are an active family that you will usually find down at the beach, on bush walks or camping! 

I have recently finished my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education and am excited to get back into teaching after having a few years off being a stay-at-home Mum.

I believe in forming positive relationships with children and their family/whanau and getting to know the child and their background. I love letting kids just be kids - picking daisies, looking at clouds, getting messy, climbing trees, finding bugs - all that fun stuff! I absolutely love how curious children are and enjoy taking that wonder and curiosity to the next step the they can develop their learning.  

I'm excited to teach and learn alongside your children here at Bloom.

RACHEL - Teacher

Kia ora koutou, my name is Rachel Hahn and I’m a fully registered qualified early childhood teacher. I have been involved in the early childhood sector for just over fifteen years working in many childcare centres throughout the Bay of Plenty.

My teaching passions are in art education; music and movement, drama, story telling and the visual art and also in literary including oral language development. I have a keen interest in child psychology having started some study in this area.

I am passionate about young children developing resilience and competence by the time they start school. So it is an absolute pleasure to be teaching the four year olds here at Bloom giving them the guidance to transition to primary school with confidence, ease and enthusiasm for learning. Just as I have always been encouraged to do so in my own life long journey of learning.

SARAH - Teacher

Hi, I’m Sarah. I grew up in Tauranga and have just recently moved out to Papamoa with my partner. Together we enjoy cooking, eating and spending time with our families.

I have been teaching for 6 years and while I love teaching children of all ages, I have found teaching and caring for infants is where my passion truly lies. I feel privileged that I am given the chance to foster trusting, responsive and respectful relationships with our youngest learners and I believe that love and care is the key to unlocking each individual child’s potential. 

I believe that collaboration between teachers, parents and whānau is vital and I look forward to being able to support all our wonderful children and families with their needs.

SARAH - Teacher

Kia ora, my name is Sarah and I am a fully registered teacher with five years experience working in early childhood education. After ten years in Wellington I have moved home to Tauranga with my small family and we are very happy to be back in The Bay and part of the wonderful community here at Bloom!

I feel so privileged that parents allow me to be part of such a special time in their child’s life. The early years truly are so important for your little one and I am committed to ensuring our tamariki feel secure, respected, challenged, excited and most importantly loved!

I am so passionate about children connecting with and experiencing nature and the environment around them. Here at Bloom it’s as easy as creating streams in the garden or lying on the grass to watch the clouds float by. I also love to provide tamariki opportunities to be creative - singing, drawing, painting, dancing and constructing can allow a child freedom to express themselves in a way that is just so beautiful!

When I'm not working I spend my time with my family. My daughter Bobbi-Rose, who is just about to turn two loves two things: food and the great outdoors! So we spend lots of time at the beach, at the park, cooking and of course eating.

ISRAEL - Teacher

Kia ora whānau, my name is Israel (Izy) Tahere. I am stoked to return to the Bay of Plenty where the opportunities and waves are plentiful. I have 8 years of teaching experience gained in Northland teaching a wide range of ages and abilities from pre-school, primary through to secondary levels. I enjoy engaging the curious minds of our young people and creating learning opportunities.

I am blessed to be apart of the Bloom team, where quality and experience of the staff are of the highest calibre. Including our special owners, Daryl and Heidi, who won me over with their genuine heart for the next generation of learners and their "No expense has been spared" attitude which is evident in Bloom's custom-made quality design.

Being one of 7 siblings and uncle to 8 nephews and nieces, my family is my biggest inspiration and strength.

I love being active and involved in community sports where most days you can find me running up Mt. Maunganui, surfing Tay Street, playing rugby on the weekends, and beach walks with my mate 'Pablo' the French bulldog.

KELLY - Teacher

Hi there, I'm Kelly. I completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood in 2013 and have been teaching in ECE for the past 8 years. I am passionate about teaching and caring for our littlest people, infants. I love to watch their milestones as they grow and adapt to the world around them. I aim to be the most caring, passionate nurturing teacher possible. I have a calm, respectful and happy manner and really enjoy working with the team at Bloom.

I feel very privileged to be a part of the Bloom team and to be given the opportunity to build positive respectful and reciprocal relationships with the children and their families. 

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my partner and family, whether it be walks up the mount or on the beach. I love the great outdoors, watching and playing sports and being outside.

I want to always ensure and strive to align my life, with my strong values and ethics, which is to be happy, healthy and live with gratitude.

SARAH (Sez) – Teacher

Hello my name is Sarah Hansen but my friends and family call me Sez. I am so incredibly honoured to join the Bloom team.

I absolutely love listening to young children’s insightful thoughts and theories surrounding  the world around them.  I have a big heart for finding ways to amplify the phenomenal discoveries our children encounter through  play, creative expression, documentation and deep connection with family .

Having recently moved from Hamilton to Papamoa, I just love exploring this gorgeous beach town alongside my children Toby and Heidi with my hubby Pete and our trusty sidekick Rusco ..a very spoilt Maltese Shitzu.

I consider it an honour to become a part of your child(ren’s) learning journey - I do look forward to meeting you.

NATALIE - Teaching Assistant

Hi, I’m Nat. I have recently moved here to Papamoa East with my husband Daniel, our three kids Calyx, Artemisia and Miro, 2 guinea pigs and a grumpy cat called Griffen. We love the lifestyle here and you can often find us either boogie boarding at the beach, climbing Otanewainuku, visiting the Art Gallery, camping or visiting family in Rotorua (with a fair bit of mountain biking thrown in there too).

I am passionate about education and being a part of a child’s learning journey. Growing great minds excites me, while nurturing and supporting them through curiosity and play. I believe in a deep collaboration between the teachers, the child and their whanau.

I have started my Bachelor of Teaching in Early Education to formalise my knowledge of theories and to help expand my teaching horizons. I look forward to teaching and learning alongside your children. 

ROXANNE- Teaching Assistant

Hi, I’m Roxanne. I moved to Tauranga from South Africa 4 years ago and I am so grateful to call this beautiful place my home now, and even more grateful to be part of the wonderful Bloom team. 

I am also a mum to my daughter, Kenzie and my son; Blake. Together we love being active and going on adventures.

It has been my heart’s desire to work with children of young ages and have been working with children for the past 4 years as a qualified teacher’s aide as well as a home based educator. I intend to complete my teaching degree so I can enrich children with a variety of ways in teaching and learning.

FIONA - Teaching Assistant

Hi I’m Fiona, a Teacher Assistant in the 0-12 months classroom. It is an honour to be working alongside the incredible Teachers and your amazing children here at Bloom Kids. 

Over the past 16 years, I have worked as a Teacher Aide across ages ranging from new entrants to Year 11 Students and now thoroughly enjoy seeing the very young learn & grow through play & exploration. 

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I have four incredible children of my own, Aimee (27) Brandon (26) Callum (25) and Hannah (19). My three eldest are all currently living and traveling throughout Europe whilst my youngest is in her first year at Victoria University, Wellington. 

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In February of this year, after 20 years of living in the ‘Mighty Manawatu’, I moved into my new home at The Coast, Papamoa. I am so excited to be living beside the ocean again having grown up in the Marlborough Sounds and Hawkes Bay regions it straight away felt like HOME!

I thoroughly enjoy long walks along the beach with my dog Indie and on weekends have been enjoying exploring the Region and all it has to offer. 

JACKIE - Teaching Assistant

Hi, my name is Jackie, I am a mother to two amazing boys, Jae (9) and Neo (3), studying towards my bachelor of Teaching (ECE) and extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to be part of the Bloom family.

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I am passionate about children and committed to their learning journey, based on their individual interests and strengths. I aim to build and maintain reciprocal relationships with both the child and their families by supporting their diversity, culture, beliefs and values.

I believe each child should be given the opportunity to explore the huge possibilities the world has to offer through fostering creativity and curiosity in a safe, warm environment, igniting their passion to learn.

In my spare time if I’m not hiking with my family in the great outdoors, I’m out on our boat fishing, hoping to get a big snapper!

KATE - Reliever

Mother of Felix (1), lover of surf, sand and the glorious Papamoa sun! You may catch me at Bloom, relief teaching or in the kitchen from time to time!

I'm a fully qualified and experienced primary teacher, caregiver and more recently a mother. I have a passion for the Early Years and the psychology behind the developmental stages. I'm a firm believer of positive reinforcement, developing a positive environment stimulus for our children whilst encouraging creativity, innovation and love through leading by example.

I LOVE music and dance and all things arty - "it is my favourite and my best" (as Lola say's from Charlie and Lola). I look forward to meeting you some time soon! 

OLIVIA - Reliever

Hi, I am Olivia and am excited to join the Bloom team. I look forward to meeting many new friends and families, while working alongside a group of dedicated teachers. 

I have a Bachelor of Education (ECE) and have been teaching for 20 years. Most of my teaching years have been alongside infants and toddlers and continue to feel passionate about the care and education for them.

Originally I am from the Manawatu and have been in the Sunny Bay for over 12 years now. I live in Papamoa with my husband Evan and four children Macy, Bella, Poppy and Freddie. I look forward to learning more about you and working alongside your family on our learning journey together.