Meet Michelle

“Kia Ora, I’m Michelle, welcome to Remarkable Kids Learning Centre! I am the centre director of Remarkable Kids. I began my journey as an early childhood teacher from 2003, and had my Bachelor of Education completed from The University of Auckland. I am passionate on how children learn through play even since they are in their very early years. “Environments are the third teacher of young children.“ I believe that a positive, nurturing, fun and loving place will empower children’s learning and creativeness.

My business partners, Peter and John, together, we built and own Remarkable kids Centre. We all have very young children with expectations and understandings of child’s learning and development from a parent’s point of view. We started Remarkable Kids with the drive to create a centre we’d be happy for our own children to attend. That’s Remarkable Kids Learning Centre: where you dare to be remarkable! I am so proud to tell you, we have been able to create the type of childcare centre we would want our own children to attend.”

— Michelle Liao, Centre Director

Meet Kelly

“Kia Ora, my name is Kelly and I’m the Centre Manager of Remarkable Kids. I’m excited to show you around our beautiful centre.

I live on the beautiful Hibiscus Coast, with my husband and our four children. I have always had a passion for children and their education, which inspired me to become a Registered Early Childhood Teacher. I have more than 16 years’ experience in the industry and believe children learn best through play and being involved in rich learning environments. A holistic approach to children’s learning and development ensures they all have equitable opportunities and feel valued and respected.

At Remarkable Kids we have created an environment where children can freely explore their surroundings, be physically challenged with big open spaces and explore in ways that encourage their curiosity and wonderment. You’ll find we aspire to develop reciprocal relationships with our parents/whanau and work in close partnership with each other to ensure children grow and develop to reach their full potential. I look forward to meeting with you soon. ”

— Kelly Tolhopf, Centre Manager

“Kia ora, my name is Kelly Gabriel and I am the Team Leader of our three beautiful Infants Rooms at Remarkable Kids Learning Centre.

I am a qualified and fully registered early childhood teacher, having completed my Bachelor of Teaching after following my passion for working with young children. I have been in early childhood education for over 9 years, and strive to provide quality education and learning outcomes for our tamariki in a supportive and nurturing environment away from home.  

I believe that each child is unique, bringing with them their own sets of understandings and previous experiences that are deeply imbedded in how they learn and view the world around them. As a teacher, I aim to foster and build on the knowledge children bring each day, ensuring that I respect and understand differences in identity and individuality.

I am delighted to be part of the wonderful team at Remarkable Kids, and am incredibly fortunate to be bringing along my daughter Gracie with me. Having grown up in West Auckland, I love the diversity and warmth of our local community, and look forward to working alongside you and your family.”

— Kelly Gabriel, Team Leader (infants)