What an action-packed term it has been here at BestStart Whangamatā!
Our tamariki have been buzzing with excitement as we dive into new learning experiences, explore our community, and strengthen our relationships both within the centre and beyond.
One of our standout highlights was our incredible visit from Scalez & Tails Reptile Rescue. Tamariki were absolutely captivated by Luna the bearded dragon, Noodle the blue-tongue skink, and Toast the tortoise.
Their curiosity sparked thoughtful questions, gentle hands, and so much awe as they learned about caring for these unique creatures. We also held our Halloween Disco, which was a huge hit! Our centre was filled with colour, costumes, music, and laughter as children and whānau enjoyed dancing, glow sticks, and spooky fun together - it was such a beautiful celebration of community.
This term, we’ve been making the most of our local surroundings with regular excursions around Whangamatā, supporting children’s sense of belonging and helping them connect with the place they call home.
From walks to local parks to neighbourhood adventures, tamariki have loved exploring together. Our ongoing focus on sustainability has been another exciting journey. We’ve begun switching to reusable resources where possible and encouraging tamariki to take responsibility for caring for their environment.
These small but meaningful changes support our long-term commitment to kaitiakitanga. Looking ahead, we have so much to look forward to. We’re excited for our upcoming visit to Moana House, where tamariki will be able to share stories, smiles, and songs with residents, a beautiful way to strengthen intergenerational connections.
Planning is also underway for our Christmas party, which is shaping up to be a joyful celebration for our centre whānau. And of course, we have several more excursions coming up as we continue exploring our wonderful community.
Ngā mihi to all our whānau for your ongoing support — we love learning, growing, and adventuring alongside you all.