Our Team

Our team values our children and as well as our sustainability ethos.
Meet the wonderful people behind Little Moas!

Little Moas Staff

Working together to offer the best childcare, our team are trained and passionate about your child's learning experience with our holistic, sustainable & eco-friendly approach.
Meet the friendly faces who work at Little Moas:

Meys Alsafar | Educational Consultant | Little Moas

Meys Alsafar: Educational Consultant

Meys is Little Moas educational consultant. Meys background is in science as well as in teaching. After working for years in the field of medical science. She realised that her passion is with small children and their overall wellbeing. Therefore, she studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Auckland to become a childcare teacher and she then went on to spend many years teaching and managing Early Childhood Education Settings.

“My perspective emerges from the combination of my two diverse backgrounds in science and education. This diversity helped me design and implement a special educational program for the children and families of Little Moa's Early Learning Centre. From very different experiences, and for many different reasons, I realised that my purpose in life is to support the wellbeing of our children, their future and the importance of raising public awareness about current environmental issues that have an impact on the future of our children and our community.”

“I am 100% committed and dedicated to supporting the team and the families of our daycare centre in Mount Wellington. I believe that together, we can plant seeds of love, care, compassion, and respect in each child attending our centre … Welcome to the family of Little Moas Early Learning Centre”

Jenni Irvine | Educational Consultant |  Little Moas

Vinnie Whyte: Little Moas Centre Manager

Ko Harbour Cone te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau.  

Ko Silverstream te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara. 

Nō Ōtepoti ahau. 

E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Tāmaki Makaurau e noho nei au. 

Tēnā koutou katoa. 

Kia ora e te Whānau, 

With 9 years teaching experience and a genuine love of children and supporting their learning, ECE is not just a job but my vocation. I love the natural curiosity, wonder, and desire to discover and learn which children have, and as a teacher, I love being a part of and supporting children’s learning journeys. I am passionate about facilitating a bicultural and multicultural curriculum, empowering children to be confident lifelong learners and affirming our tamariki for the unique and wonderful humans they are. As Little Moas manager, it is an absolute pleasure to lead the wonderful team here and to support our Kaiako to be the best teachers they can be. I value and cherish the relationships I have with my team, our tamariki and their Whānau and want everyone to feel that Little Moas is their second home.


Tracy Rata | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Tracey Rata

Kowhai Nest Teacher

Shannon Barry | Team Leader |  Little Moas

Taunten King

Kowhai Nest Team Leader

Amy Bethune | Team Leader | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, AUckland

Ru Korau-Rangi

Kauri Forest Team Leader 

Carin Krahz | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Carin Krahz

Rata Grove Team Leader

Ruby Kaur | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Danielle Clark

Rata Grove Teacher

Elisa Gutierrez | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Elisa Gutierrez

Kauri Forest Teacher

Lena Nascimento | Kai Creator / Chef  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Kulwinder Kaur

Kauri Forest Teacher

Ruchika Sharma | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Lily Giles

Kowhai Nest Teacher

Ruby Kaur | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Grace Choi

Kowhai Nest Teacher

Chelsie Kane| Kauri Forest 2iC | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Joy Dagdag

Kai creator

Lena Nascimento | Kai Creator / Chef  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Gopika Ramachandran

Kowhai Nest Teacher

Ruchika Sharma | Teacher  | Little Moas Early Learning Centre, Auckland

Ruchika Sharma

Kowhai Nest teacher

Playtime is precious.

Play builds brain pathways for Thinking, Creativity, Flexibility, Empathy and many other life long skills.

“Heather Shumaker”