Juanita Cootes
Managing Director, Te Waipounamu Education
Our team
Meet the caring people who support your child each day.
At Ōtipua Grove, children are welcomed by a warm team of kaiako and leaders who work together to help every child feel safe, known, and ready to learn. This page introduces the people your family may meet at the centre.
Leadership and centre support
Friendly faces to help your family feel welcome.
Fiona Gray
Assistant Regional Manager / Centre Manager
Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Fiona has worked in early childhood education for 17 years, including seven years in centre management. She values trusting, reciprocal relationships with tamariki, parents, whānau, and colleagues.
Carla Hunter
Assistant Centre Manager / Matai/Tawa Room Team Leader
Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Carla has nearly 17 years of experience across preschool and nursery settings. Her practice is guided by nurturing, respectful relationships and the RIE and Pikler approaches.
Laura Small
Kauri / Rimu Room Team Leader
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Laura has worked in early childhood education for almost 10 years and is passionate about safe, child-led environments where tamariki can share ideas and lead their learning.
Teaching and support team
The wider team behind day-to-day learning and care.
Jo Rusbatch
Kauri Kaiako
Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Jo is a fully qualified and registered teacher with more than 20 years of early childhood experience. She values safe, secure environments where children can explore, learn, and be themselves.
Greg McMecking
Kauri Kaiako
Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Greg has taught in early childhood for more than 16 years across Timaru, Christchurch, and North Canterbury, and is passionate about sustainability and outdoor learning.
Ying Wang
Rimu Kaiako
Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
Ying completed her Graduate Diploma in Teaching in 2022 and enjoys creating child-led spaces where tamariki feel connected, supported, and excited to explore.
Natasha Longman
Matai Kaiako
Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), fully registered teacher
Natasha is passionate about supporting infants and toddlers through nurturing, responsive relationships. She values strong, trusting connections with tamariki and whānau so children feel safe, confident, and ready to explore.
Mandy Rose
Tawa Kaiako
Teacher in training, Te Rito Maioha
Mandy is a teacher in training with Te Rito Maioha who is passionate about nurturing inclusive environments where tamariki feel valued, supported, and confident to learn.
Helēnē Tainsh
Tawa Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), fully registered teacher
Helēnē has experience working with tamariki from three months to five years and is passionate about positive guidance and supporting emotional regulation. Her five years teaching in international kindergartens in China helped shape her practice as a kaiako.
Zalee Gough
Tawa Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), fully registered teacher
Zalee has worked in early childhood education for 10 years and is passionate about creating fun, nurturing spaces where tamariki feel safe, valued, and encouraged to learn. She loves building strong relationships with children and whānau, bringing energy and enthusiasm to each day.
Shanita Araipu-Hall
Matai Kaiako
Teacher in training, second year Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Shanita brings experience from primary and preschool settings and is passionate about respectful relationships, play-based learning, and weaving te reo Māori and tikanga Māori naturally into everyday practice.
Selina Wooding
Supporting Kaiako
Diploma Level 7 in Early Childhood and Education
Selina works part-time in a break cover role and enjoys supporting tamariki across their learning, helping them build confidence, belonging, and connection within the early childhood setting.
Keegan Barnard
Supporting Kaiako
Keegan joined Ōtipua Grove after relieving across Te Waipounamu Education centres in Timaru. He enjoys creative, imaginative play and building strong connections with tamariki and whānau.
Jayde Healy
Kauri Kaiako
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education), first aid certified
Jayde has worked in early childhood education for two and a half years and is currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary). She is passionate about inclusive learning environments where every child feels they belong and is supported to succeed.
Lana Rouse
Centre Cook
Food Safe basic food and hygiene training, first aid certified
Lana is our centre cook on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Georgia Lightbody
Centre Cook
Food Safe certified
Georgia is our centre cook on Wednesdays.