Our Awesome Mel

Hello, kia ora.  My name is Melissa, but most people know me as Mel. 

I am a Southland girl, who has lived in Riverton for the past 13 years. I now live rurally, just out of Riverton, with my fiancé Scott and our three tamariki. 

In 2019 I graduated from Te Rito Maioha with a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). 

Most of my teaching career has been here at Riverton Childcare. It has been such a privilege to get to care for so many wonderful tamariki during that time. The relationships I have formed with them and their whãnau are something I treasure. It is lovely to see these now-grown tamariki out and about and for them to still say hello. 

After a short break away I am now back as Team Leader of the Explorers’ room (Under twos). I am loving being able to grow in this leadership role and work alongside the wonderful, nurturing team we have. 

 I am born and raised in Riverton. I’m married with four young tamariki. I have been working at Riverton Childcare since March 2019 and I am loving every moment of it and I began studying towards my ECE teaching qualification in 2020 becoming a registered teacher in 2024. Having my own tamariki I believe I can bring a different perspective to the Childcare and also take away a lot of new strategies and experiences that will help me be a better teacher and mother.
I have learnt so much already and I love being a part of the learning journey of the tamariki I have met, as well as getting to know the tamariki and their families individually.
My hobbies include sheep farming, scrapbooking and anything to do with animals.
I consider my strength as a teacher to be knowing the tamariki well, responding to their individual needs and being a flexible member of the team.  

Hi.  I'm Beverly and I joined the team at Riverton Childcare in March 2022 - after two years of trying to get here but shut out by Covid regulations.  I moved to Riverton from the Philippines with my husband and daughter. 

I have taught kinder aged children since 2016.  I enjoy having great relationships with parents and co-teachers.  I respect the differences of each learner and believe that every experience should be child-centred to promote their independence.

We are looking forward to making our home in NZ and enjoying our family life here.

Hi.  I'm Sarah and I joined the team at Riverton Childcare in September 2022 .

I have spent a lot of time in my life travelling and experiencing different places and cultures around the world.  In 2019 I fell in love with the Philippines, finding myself spending 8 months there with my partner, returning home in 2020 prior to the birth of our daughter. Unfortunately, due to Covid border closures, my partner was unable to join us until April 2022. We are now based on a local dairy farm just out of Riverton.

I love working with the children, and value the relationships I build with learners, whãnau and colleagues.

 Hello, Kia ora, my name is Lyndal Cameron. I have been working at Riverton Childcare since 2021. I have enjoyed my time teaching here.  Each day there is something new to learn or to teach our tamariki, and I'm thankful I can be a part of that.  I enjoy creating strong relationships between tamariki, and their whãnau, as well as my co-workers

Hello, my name is Lia Paterson.    

I am Southland born and grew up on our family-owned sheep farm where I have learnt a lot of useful farming skills.  I have three siblings, and became an Aunt at 8 years old,  giving me a lot of experience looking after my nieces and nephews. I love being outdoors and helping out on the farm, but I also love being in my home comforts, chilling! I am pleased to have joined Riverton Childcare in February 2025, as it’s very rewarding to see the tamariki smile, laugh and learn.

Hello, Kia Ora, my name is Ann-Marie Bartlett. I grew up in Riverton, before moving to Dunedin to study and then onto Wellington, where I was a home-based educator for three years. I returned home to Riverton in 2022 with my husband, Jason.

I have worked at Riverton Childcare since late 2024, and I really enjoy creating relationships with the tamariki and providing them with a range of learning opportunities. I find it very rewarding to be a part of their development and growth.