If you’ve ever visited New Shoots Greenhithe, you’ve probably been greeted with a warm smile and infectious energy—that’s Riya. With a passion for nurturing tamariki and creating meaningful connections with whānau, Riya brings a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and leadership to her role.
Her journey into early childhood education is one of heart and happenstance, leading her from a background in biotechnology to finding her true calling with infants and young children. Now, as Centre Director, Riya’s dedication shines through in every aspect of Greenhithe’s welcoming, fun-filled atmosphere. From muddy bear hunts in the backyard to Friday dance parties, she makes every day an adventure for children and teachers alike.
Let’s get to know Riya a little better.
What is your all time favourite children’s book?
It has to be “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”- I could probably recite it in my deepest sleep (haha!). I love how many different ways there are to enjoy this book, but my favourite has to be singing it while going on an adventure with the children through the bushes in our backyard. We’re so lucky to have such a variety of landscapes to explore – we pretend the slopes are mountains, the trees and bushes are a forest, and the puddles are rivers. It turns reading into a real-life adventure!
What is your favourite type of play?
It has to be dramatic play! I’d choose resources from an op-shop and an empty play kitchen space over anything else. I love setting up experiences that mimic real-life scenarios because children learn so much from their everyday experiences. They are constantly observing and enacting the adults in their lives. It’s truly special to see how tamariki perceive our world, and it reminds us of how important it is to be mindful of how we act and react in their presence.
Tell us your story about how you got into the early learning sector?
From a young age, I was always drawn to caring for children around me. No matter where we moved, I would always find a family with a baby in my neighborhood, and I’d spend time with them. After completing my bachelor’s in biotechnology, I moved to New Zealand to be with my partner. It didn’t take long before I found a relieving role in the Infant Room at an ECE centre. Eight years later, while I enjoy working with all age groups, my heart and true passion still lie with the Infant age group.
What is one thing that parents could do to encourage children learning at home?
Involving children in daily life activities is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to encourage learning. As I mentioned earlier, children love recreating scenarios they observe in adults.
For example, while cooking dinner, you can keep your child engaged by giving them a pot, ladle, and some loose parts to pretend cook alongside you. I also often give children a damp cloth to “clean” the room with me- it’s a great way to teach basic life skills, and they feel so proud of their contributions.
What is your favourite rainy day activity for under 5s?
Dance parties for sure! It’s my favourite way to spend a rainy day with tamariki and kaiako. Anyone who knows me knows I love a good boogie.
What is it about your centre that makes it special?
It’s the people and the fun atmosphere we create! I wouldn’t trade my team for the world, and they’re the reason I love what I do. We’re a close-knit team that takes the time to truly get to know each other, the children, and their whānau. We pride ourselves on creating a warm, safe, and welcoming space where everyone feels respected and celebrated.
We love playing pranks, roping whānau into the fun, and breaking out in random karaoke or dance moves- especially on Fridays! You can catch these moments (and so much more) on our Centre’s Instagram page: kakariki_kreations_. We were elated to win the New Shoots Vision and Values award for the most “Fun and Exciting place to be” at our 2024 conference!
What is your centre philosophy?
As a centre, respect and relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We hold a deep appreciation for each child’s unique learning journey and are strongly influenced by the respectful practices and principles of Pikler and RIE. We see children as capable and confident individuals who thrive when they are free to lead their own learning.
As kaiako, we step into the role of guides- offering time, resources, and opportunities, while creating space for tamariki to take initiative and build a strong sense of belonging. We encourage risk-taking, collaboration, and self-expression through open-ended play and authentic, respectful connections.
What’s something new happening at the centre?
One thing we’ve always loved is showing people around our Centre. Personally, I love giving new parents a tour and often spend over an hour helping them navigate the most important transition of their lives. So we thought we would host a a “Coffee and Connections” morning –
This will be an opportunity for parents to connect with our teaching team and other local families while learning more about Early Childhood Education, our centre’s philosophy, and how to prepare their child for a smooth and confident start to their ECE journey.
Come along to New Shoots Greenhithe on Saturday 31st May, from 10am–12pm
You’ll learn more about our centre philosophy, get practical tips for a smooth start to Early Childhood Education, and enjoy some hot coffee and light kai. Whether you’re considering enrolling your little one soon or just want to explore your options, we’d love to see you there.
To register your spot, email greenhithe@newshoots.co.nz
Read more about New Shoots Children’s Centre Greenhithe here
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