At BestStart Pinnacles, we believe learning happens everywhere – especially when you're out and about exploring your local community!
That’s why we do weekly excursions to the playground just across the road, and they’ve quickly become a highlight of our week.
With a low ratio of 1:4, each child has the full attention, support, and encouragement of our kaiako, allowing them to feel confident and safe while trying new things. The playground offers endless opportunities for fun and learning – from climbing high on the rope frame, zooming down the big slide, to carefully balancing on the wobbly bridge.
These experiences aren’t just exciting; they also help develop crucial gross motor skills, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and resilience. Risky play in a well-supervised and supportive environment allows tamariki to challenge themselves, assess situations, and grow in confidence – all key outcomes in Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum.
We see so many proud smiles and hear lots of “I did it!” moments each week! To make our weekly adventures even more special, we end each visit with a fluffy and chocolate fish at our local restaurant. It’s a sweet way to relax, chat about our morning, and connect with our wider community.
These little rituals help build a strong sense of belonging and foster social development in a real-world setting. Our weekly excursions are about more than just play – they’re about growing capable, confident learners who are connected to the world around them.