Meet Our Whitford Teaching Team

Our teachers are caring qualified teachers who provide opportunities for all children’s learning needs to be met. Children’s ideas are valued, their creativity to be inspired and interests to be supported. Our teachers work alongside your child in their play and skillfully extend and stimulate children’s thinking.

NATURAL STEPS WHITFORD

We have a stable workforce with long standing staff. They work diligently to create a challenging, nurturing environment for all children who attend Natural Steps.

OUR LEARNING PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON RESPECT AND CARE

Our Approach

At Natural Steps Whitford, relationships, curiosity and nurture are at the heart of everything we do.

We believe tamariki learn best when they feel secure, valued and deeply connected to the people and world around them. Through strong relationships with children, whānau and our wider community, we create a culture of kindness, respect, belonging and collaboration.

We see curiosity as the driving force of learning. Our teachers create beautiful, inspiring environments filled with natural and open-ended resources, allowing tamariki the time, space and freedom to explore their interests, ask questions, develop their ideas and discover their own ways of expressing themselves. We value the process of learning and encourage tamariki to become confident, capable and curious learners.

Nurture is woven throughout our approach.

We support the wellbeing of the whole child through loving relationships, nutritious food, active play and connection with nature. Our gardens, natural environments and sustainability practices provide opportunities for tamariki to connect with the whenua, care for Papatūānuku and develop an understanding of their role as kaitiaki.

Our curriculum is inspired by Te Whāriki, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Reggio Emilia and the work of Pennie Brownlee. We embrace the idea that children have “100 languages” through which they can communicate, think and make meaning. Through play, art, investigation, conversation and meaningful experiences, we empower tamariki to follow their interests, express their ideas and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Meet our team

Our teachers are at the heart of the Natural Steps experience. We are a passionate, caring and dedicated team who take the time to truly know each child — their interests, strengths, personality, culture and unique way of learning.

We believe strong, trusting relationships are the foundation for learning. Our teachers create nurturing environments where tamariki feel safe, valued and confident to explore, ask questions, express themselves and develop independence.

Through thoughtful observation, intentional teaching and meaningful conversations, we support each child to follow their curiosity and build on their developing knowledge and skills. We work closely with whānau, recognising that families are an important part of each child’s learning journey.

Above all, our teachers bring warmth, kindness, respect and a genuine love of working with tamariki to everything they do.

Rachel Flavell - Centre Manager

Kia ora, my name is Rachel, and I am the Centre Manager at Natural Steps Whitford, where I have worked since 2024. I am a fully certificated teacher with a Bachelor of Education (Early Years 0–8) and have been working in Early Childhood Education since 2010.

I believe that strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do. I view children as competent learners who are naturally curious and eager to absorb new experiences and learning. My passion is creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to explore, learn, and grow.

I live nearby with my husband, son, and our dog. I also have an older son who has now left home. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with children now that mine are grown up.

I look forward to welcoming you and your whānau into our Natural Steps family and sharing this special place with you. I am excited to build meaningful relationships with our tamariki and whānau and to support each child on their unique learning journey.