--- title: Tiny Nation Educator - Otago - Deanna description: Meet our Tiny Nation educators. Visit our educators' webpages, explore their profiles, their philosophies, their learning environments and programmes. image: https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hubfs/Deanna%20Kaina%20-%20Educator%20Webpage%20Featured%20Image%20(1).jpg --- [![Tiny Nation](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Tinynation_Nov2021/images/tiny-logo.png?width=284&height=828&name=tiny-logo.png "Tiny Nation")](https://tinynation.co.nz/) - [ABOUT US](https://tinynation.co.nz/about-us/) - [OUR PRINCIPLES & VALUES](http://tinynation.co.nz/about-us/#ourvalues) - [OUR TEAM](http://tinynation.co.nz/about-us/#ourteam) - [OUR PARTNERS](https://tinynation.co.nz/partners/) - [NEWS](https://tinynation.co.nz/tiny-nation-news/) - [JOBS](https://tinynation.co.nz/jobs/) - [FAMILIES](https://tinynation.co.nz/families/) - [NANNIES](https://tinynation.co.nz/nannies/) - [EDUCATORS](https://tinynation.co.nz/educators/) - [CONTACT US](https://tinynation.co.nz/contact-us/) ![Otago Educator Webpages - Ed Photos (2)](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Otago%20Educator%20Webpages%20-%20Ed%20Photos%20(2).jpg?width=1080&height=1080&name=Otago%20Educator%20Webpages%20-%20Ed%20Photos%20(2).jpg "Otago Educator Webpages - Ed Photos (2)") # Deanna Tiny Nation Educator - Dunedin, Otago ![Educator Webpage Icon](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/Educator%20Webpage%20Icon.png?width=120&height=120&name=Educator%20Webpage%20Icon.png "Educator Webpage Icon") [Enquire Now](https://tinynation.co.nz/contact-us/) ### About Me I am a mother of two children aged 11 and 9. I originally worked in the hospitality industry as a Field Trainer. My husband and I decided to move our whānau to the Otago region and that is when I became a home-based educator. For the last 8 years I have had the pleasure of supporting the Taieri Beach community with ECE care and having local families become part of our whānau, to watch the children and siblings develop into amazing children. ## Places We Like To Visit ## Tiny Nation events Pop-up playgroups  Botanical Gardens  Local beaches   ## My Availability I am available Monday to Friday, 6:30 am - 6:00 pm. In October I will have space Monday to Friday for an over-2-year-old. ## My Philosophy I believe that I teach and support children to become strong individuals, that are independent, care for each other, show empathy towards others and look after the environment. To maintain respect and manners within my house and society. I include the Te whare tapu wha model, which allows children to have a holistic approach to maintaining a balanced life. Fun comes in various forms from a cardboard box, a sheet, and their own imagination. Messy play and being creative is what I love to explore with the children. ## My Environment My house is a fully fenced flat section, with plenty of room to bike and run around. There is a sand pit, play gyms, stone garden with log seats. I have a covered outside area for the hotter days. We like to walk around Taieri Beach and visit the botanical gardens to gather fallen leaves or to look at spring growth. We go to my children's school to watch cross country, triathlons and assembly's. ## My Training I hold an NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (Home-based). I have a current first aid qualification for child first aid.  I have also gained the New Zealand Certificate in Tikanga (Mātauranga Māori) (Level 3).  ### Family Testimonials #### Made such a difference ![TN\_BrandIcons-05](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/TN_BrandIcons-05.jpg?width=49&height=40&name=TN_BrandIcons-05.jpg) "I had my son with Deanna for almost 1.5 years and I couldn't have asked for a better person to help educate and look after Gus. She welcomed Gus into her family and home like he was one of her own. I could tell he loved being there interacting with her children and thrived off the activities they did together. I would recommend Deanna to anyone who wants their child to be well-loved within a home-based programme. She always met Gus's needs and they built an amazing bond. Gus just loved going to Dee's house. Your awesome Deanna, Gus and I both love you and your family."  #### Passion for teaching is evident ![TN\_BrandIcons-08](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/TN_BrandIcons-08.jpg?width=49&name=TN_BrandIcons-08.jpg) "I cannot express how grateful we are to have had Deanna as Bill's childcare Educator. During the time Bill was with Deanna his development, language and confidence grew so much and her ability to nurture and inspire Bill in a way that spoke to him and his personality far exceeded our expectations. Also as an only child, he was so lucky to have Deanna's own beautiful children to learn and play with, forming a special bond that you often find in larger child care center. We owe so much to Deanna and would highly recommend her to any family." #### Couldn't be happier ![TN\_BrandIcons-06](https://info.tinynation.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/TN_BrandIcons-06.jpg?width=50&name=TN_BrandIcons-06.jpg) "Deanna looked after our daughter Georgia for a year and a half. At that time she was in a daycare center part-time and we needed to increase her hours, but wanted a more relaxed home environment for the extra time. Deanna was the perfect choice, she is loving and caring and spent a lot of time with Georgia baking, doing arts and crafts, thinking up fun and creative ideas and having outdoor adventures. As Georgia is our third child she thrived with the one on one attention that Deanna was able to give her, and formed some lovely bonds with other children. She absolutely loved her "Deanna Days" and looked forward to going. She is now getting ready to go to school, but she really does feel like part of Deanna's family and we still catch up with her regularly. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Deanna to any other families." [Enquire Now](https://tinynation.co.nz/contact-us/) ### Newsletter For early learning ideas and inspiration, sign up to Tiny Nation news today. 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