Nau mai, Haere mai
Welcome to the “Koru” room at Rockmybaby® Childcare Centre Havelock North
Where children and whānau grow together - children are at the heart of everything we do! We focus on the well-being of our precious children - our future leaders.




‘Koru', is our infant and toddler area, translates in both name and environment to life, growth, strength and peace.
We are passionate and dedicated to providing high-quality childcare and education to our children. We foster respectful, reciprocal relationships and value whānau contribution and aspirations. Our passionate teaching team have been carefully selected and work together with whānau to proved the best for the tamariki in their care.
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Daily rhythm
Our daily rhythm follows your child’s lead, with time for play, planned activities, meal times and rest. Our sleep room caters for children transitioning from cots to beds. Following the respectful notion of whānau led sleep routines. Our 'room of rest' also has beautiful high quality eco linens provided for each child.
Our curriculum follows the interests of the children and their developmental needs.
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Our space
Our Koru Room is designed to meet the learning and developmental needs of our youngest tamariki. The indoor and outdoor space has well-appointed viewing angles to ensure the care and safety of each child whilst in play.
Our teaching team have been carefully selected due to their devotion for providing specialised care for the ever changing needs of our youngest tamariki. Respectful interactions and open communication between the child, teacher and whānau is of utmost importance.
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Kai/meal times
We believe that nutrition is the foundation of a healthy, happy child. We provide nutrient dense, whole-food meals that are prepared lovingly in the our kitchen by our passionate cook. The meals are prepared using local-where-possible produce, including seasonal fruits, vegetables and whole foods.
We can cater to any dietary needs your child may have.
Meet our Team
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Hayley Mellsop - Head Team Leader
Kia ora, my name is Hayley Mellsop and I am excited to have recently taken on the Head Team Leader position here at Rockmybaby Havelock North. I have been here at Rockmybaby since September 2023 where I started as the Koru Room Team Leader. I am a qualified and fully registered Early Childhood teacher and have been teaching for 19 years. The majority of this time has been spent working with Under 2’s! I I live in Crownthorpe with my partner Mike and our daughter Madi. I also have two step daughters, Chontelle who is 21 and is studying Psychology in Wellington and Katelyn who is 20 and studying Environmental Science and Astronomy in Auckland.
As a teacher, I am passionate about respectful practice, having great relationships with children, parents, Whānau and my colleagues, open and honest communication, and supporting and encouraging children through their many milestones and their learning journeys. As part of my new role, I will be working alongside the teams in both the Koru and Mana Rooms and look forward to supporting them and our Rockmybaby tamariki to learn, grow and thrive. If you have any questions/queries or concerns about your child's time with us here, please don't hesitate to reach out at any time.
Arohanui, Hayley x
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Lucy Jonasen - Team Leader
Kia ora, my name is Lucy!
I am so excited to be joining the Rockmybaby Havelock North team. I hold a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood and a full registration. I have a strong passion for making a positive difference in young tamariki lives. My personal values that underpin my philosophy, is developing reciprocal and responsive relationships with tamariki, whānau, kaiako and the wider community.
I really enjoy getting creative, exploring nature, art and getting our and about in our community. I believe there is something so special about being part of a young child’s learning journey and seeing them reach new milestones.
I have grown up in Hawkes Bay and is from a farming community and a big family. I live with my partner in Maraekakaho on a sheep and beef farm. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach, helping out on the farm and enjoying the beautiful sunshine the bay provides.
I am really looking forward to meeting you all!
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Fiona Wang
Kia Ora, ko Fiona tōku ingoa.
I hold a Master's degree in Linguistics and have taught across various countries. I have recently relocated to New Zealand with my my husband (who is also a lecturer at EIT) and our daughter.
I am delighted to be the teacher in the Koru Room. As a teacher, I am committed to respecting each child's unique qualities, ensuring that every child feels accepted and valued. I support their emotional development and mental health, encourage them to build self-confidence and self-esteem, and foster their learning through play and exploration, aiming to nurture their creativity and critical thinking skills.
I am very much looking forward to meeting you and getting to know your family
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Bethany Clark
Hey, I'm Bethany, a 25-year-old with a degree in music. Over the past four years, I've developed my skills as a nanny and later as an after-school program coordinator at Hereworth School.
Most recently, I spent seven months in Invercargill working as a caregiver at a rest home. When I'm not working, I love hiking, baking, and hanging out with friends. I'm excited to bring my passion and experiences into my role as the centre cook.
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Deborah Ho
Ko Deborah tōku ingoa. I hold a Bachelor in Teaching Early Childhood Education, and I am a mother to two energetic children who like to keep me outside and away from the house! If I’m not teaching or running after my children, I enjoy playing Netball or reading a good book. I am passionate about working alongside infants and toddlers, and feel incredibly lucky to now be a part of the Rockmybaby team. I really value respectful practices, allowing each child to develop at their own pace. Providing safe risk-taking opportunities is also important to me as I believe that it is fundamental for children to learn how to risk-assess at a young age and in a safe environment. I am passionate about children’s social and emotional well-being, and enjoy supporting social interactions, role-modelling appropriate ways for children to play alongside one another. I look forward to getting you know each of you. Ngā mihi nui















