The Kapiti Team
This is our team of teachers and staff at Educare Kāpiti. Scroll through to find out more about our teaching team.
Lucy Duncan
Centre Manager, Registered Teacher
As Centre Manager at Educare Kapiti, I am dedicated to creating a warm, nurturing environment where tamariki feel safe, loved, and empowered to explore and grow. With a strong foundation in the RIE philosophy and a passion for fostering respectful relationships, I lead our team with a focus on connection, collaboration, and high-quality care. I believe in guiding our kaiako to support each child's unique learning journey while building strong partnerships with whānau and the wider community. Together, we create a space where every child can thrive.
Wendy McGregor
Assistant Manager, Registered Teacher
I trained as a primary teacher when dinosaurs roamed the earth. But then got distracted and spent a long time working as a communicator capturing audio sound bites and putting complex stories into simple language. It wasn’t until I had a child of my own and spent time in a preschool, that I realised how exciting the first five years can be and how the ECE curriculum supports and nurtures enquiry, exploration and discovery. I quickly added an early childhood qualification to my CV. I see my role as threefold, to help provide a warm and caring environment for your Tamariki, to help him or her become the best they can be and to share their milestones along the way with you. ECE is fun and that’s the way it should be.
Bridget Best
Registered Teacher
I'm Bridget, I am a fully qualified registered Early Childhood Educator with over 25 years of teaching experience.
I am passionate about Early childhood education and love watching your children grow and develop through learning and play.
I live in Raumati and have 3 children.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family at the beach, going to the gym and walks with my friends.
I am looking forward to getting to know and working with you and your child.
Karen Cooke
Registered Teacher
I have been working in Early Childhood Education since 2007, having both a Diploma and Bachelor in Education. I am a Registered Teacher.
I live in Paraparaumu with my husband and our two boys.
I am passionate about creating an environment where children are nurtured and respectfully encouraged to learn and develop.
I understand that play is the most important process through which children learn independence, respect for each other, respect for their environment, and a love of learning and I want to be able to support them in achieving this.
Maegan Dyksiva
Registered Teacher
I graduated from Manawatu Massey University with my BA majoring in Psychology and completed my graduate diploma in Learning and Teaching in 2022. I have been working in the ECE sector for a few years now and love what I do! I have a passion for nurturing and supporting tamariki to grow in confidence and independence while forming lasting relationships with tamariki and their whānau. I have a strong interest in music and its ability to let children explore and express themselves. In my free time you’ll find me at the beach or the gym and spending time with my whānau and friends.
Sophia Wang
Registered Teacher
Kia ora, my name is Sophia. I have a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and a Bachelor's Degree in Education (Primary). I have experience working at primary school overseas and in ECE in New Zealand.
I love working with children and I believe every child is a unique individual and all children can learn. I also believe children learn best through play and it is important for teachers to be responsive to their needs and interests.
I live in Whitby with my husband and two young children. In our spare time, we enjoy biking, playing instruments, and cooking. I am excited to be a part of the Educare team and looking forward to meeting you all.
Nicole Beale
Provisionally Registered Teacher
Kia ora! My name is Nicole. I live in Paraparaumu with my Fiancé and daughter Runi who joins me here at Educare Kapiti.
I completed by Early Childhood Education degree through the Open Polytechnic in July 2020 and have begun my journey towards becoming a fully registered teacher.
I would describe myself as a warm, nurturing and caring kaiako who values the importance of building respectful, reciprocal relationships. Tamariki and whānau are at the heart of what I do.
I feel privileged to support and guide your tamariki through their learning here at Educare Kapiti and look forward to getting to know you all.
Ruby Durrant-Bush
Teacher
Kia ora Educare family, my name is Ruby. My little boy Theo currently attends the Kiwi room, and he loves it. I am looking to study in ECE, and firmly believe in treating every child with the love and respect they need to grow into themselves. I was born and grew up here on the Kapiti Coast. Theo, his dad (my awesome fiancé Ezrah) and I live local- we have one pet, a little bird called Eddie. I have a lot of passion for the environment, being outdoors and having fun- things I hope to bring to the table here for the Kea kiddos. I look forward to meeting each and every family, and getting to know your amazing little humans.
Mai Harrington
Teacher
Hello, I'm an unregistered teacher who has been relieving and found myself enjoying a new career change to teaching children. I find it really rewarding in watching and supporting them grow into their confident personalities. I’m looking forward to learning how I can contribute to help their young minds expand and gain experience. I believe children do need a variation in their play in order for them to learn at their own pace. This allows them to express their own curiosity. In my own time, I enjoy going to the gym, hiking, horse riding and netball. I grew up here in Kāpiti so I also love to go to the beach as much as I can with friends and my dog!
Tessa White
Teacher
Kia ora! My name is Tessa and I am an unregistered teacher but am looking forward to studying in the future. I found my passion for nurturing young tamariki through coaching, nannying and babysitting, and after experiencing Camp America where I got to help children thrive and support them in their growth, I knew working with tamariki full time was what I wanted to do. I grew up on the Kapiti Coast with my six sisters and in my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, playing sport, and spending time with my family, particularly with my little nieces and nephews who I luckily live with. I would say I am a caring, kind and gentle teacher who believes tamariki deserve to learn in a safe, positive environment where they feel comfortable to try new things and have fun!
Rebecca Caldwell
Nutritionist
Hello my name is Rebecca Caldwell, I am a qualified Chef and baker and have been in ECE since 2018. I love cooking nutritious food for the children. I have school age girls myself nearly, which keeps me on my toes. My hobbies and passions include baking, gardening, crochet and movies.
Kaylene Berry
Administrator
Hi, my name is Kaylene and recently joined the Kapiti team as an Administrator working part-time. I have lived on the Kapiti Coast since 2017 with my husband and our two girls and enjoy the lifestyle that the Coast has to offer. I look forward coming into work and working alongside a great bunch of teachers who are all clearly passionate about early childhood education which is evident from the happy smiles and laughter heard from the children when I am in the office.
I am excited to work alongside the teachers and all the families in helping to create a fun, loving, creative, supportive, caring and safe environment. I look forward to meeting you and your little ones and to help you with any enquiries you may have.
