Tiny Nation Educator - Hawkes Bay -Cheyenne O

About Me

I originated from Zimbabwe and moved to New Zealand when I was young. From an early age, I have always had a passion for working with children.

Over the years, I’ve gained valuable experience — starting with a few years working in a nursery in the UK, followed by time in an early childhood centre here in New Zealand before becoming a home-based educator.

I’m also a proud mum to a beautiful little girl and live with my partner. As a family, we love going on adventures together and trying new things

My Philosophy

My philosophy is grounded in creating a safe, welcoming environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging. I support learning through play, offering engaging sensory activities and open-ended experiences that encourage curiosity and exploration.

I am inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and the Pikler approach, which recognise the importance of respect, trust, and allowing children to develop at their own pace through self-initiated movement and play.

These approaches guide me to create meaningful, child-led learning experiences that reflect each child’s interests and individuality. I am compassionate, respectful, and committed to building strong, trusting relationships with your child and whānau.

I look forward to welcoming your whānau into my care if I am a successful fit.

My Environment

Our Typical Week Monday – Exploration Day, Tuesday – Playgroup, Wednesday – Music and Movement, Thursday – Omnigym and Friday – Exploration Day.

Our Exploration Days can look very different each week. Sometimes we stay home and make the most of our indoor–outdoor flow, allowing the children to explore freely through play. Other times, we take the perfect opportunity to head out on excursions and discover more of our wonderful community. Indoors, the children have access to a variety of engaging resources that reflect their interests.

We also love getting creative with arts and crafts. Outdoors, we have a beautiful space that includes a mud kitchen, sandpit, water play, and equipment that encourages physical challenges and confidence. There’s also plenty of grassy space to run, explore, and enjoy nature. 🌸

Our favourite excursions are Frimley Park, Nature walks, Local playgrounds, Farmyard Zoo, The National Aquarium, Arataki Honey Farm, Playgroups and Omnigym.

Compassionate, kind and highly knowledgeable

"Cheyenne has been the home-based early childhood educator for my daughter (first child to enrol with her) over the past three years, since my daughter was just 10 months old. Cheyenne is a compassionate, kind, and highly knowledgeable educator. From the very beginning, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the wellbeing and development of my daughter in her care. Her daily routines are thoughtfully planned, and she consistently provides engaging, age-appropriate activities that support both learning and fun. She took the time to understand my daughter’s unique needs and adapted her teaching style to ensure my baby felt supported and encouraged.

What sets Cheyenne apart is her genuine dedication to her mahi/ work. She creates a nurturing, home-like environment where children feel safe, comfortable, and valued. Her ability to build strong, respectful relationships with both children and their families is truly remarkable. As a mother herself, she brings an added layer of empathy and understanding to her role, which is reflected in the way she connects with the children and supports their developmental milestones.

Cheyenne has become an integral part of our lives. Her influence on my daughter’s growth and learning has been profound, and I am incredibly grateful for the care and guidance she has and continues to provide. She is not only an exceptional educator but also a person of great integrity and warmth. I cannot speak highly enough of her, she is an outstanding teacher, she is a wonderful human being, and I wholeheartedly recommend.

Sincerely, From One parent to another!"

Calm and nurturing environment

"We feel incredibly fortunate to have found Cheyenne. For the past two years, our son has blossomed under her care. The energy, commitment and genuine affection and love she shows the children every single day have been beyond anything we could have hoped for. Her wonderfully gentle nature creates a calm and nurturing environment, giving our son the space to truly thrive. We've always been so impressed by how she partners with our family, respecting our routines and focusing on our son's individual needs. the outings and activities she plans are a highlight; they're always thoughtful and engaging, allowing him to extend his learning while having an enormous amount of fun. We couldn't recommend her more highly"