At BestStart Vivian Street, we believe that learning begins with connection — to people, places, and things.
Each week, our under-two tamariki (pēpi) venture out into our local community, building a sense of belonging and strengthening their oral language through rich, real-world experiences.
Our weekly excursions are more than just outings — they are intentional learning opportunities grounded in Te Whāriki, our early childhood curriculum. The strands of Belonging (Mana Whenua) and Communication (Mana Reo) guide our planning and practice, ensuring that even our youngest learners are supported to explore, express, and connect.
These excursions help our tamariki to develop a sense of identity and place. By regularly visiting familiar locations, they begin to understand their role in the wider community. Strengthen relationships, with kaiako, peers, and the people we meet along the way, from shopkeepers to passersby, every interaction is a chance to practice communication and build trust. Expanding oral language, through narrating our journey, singing waiata, and responding to the sounds and sights around us, encouraging our pēpi to listen, mimic, and eventually speak.
These experiences are deeply aligned with our learning priorities. Through consistent, meaningful engagement with our community, our pēpi are learning that they belong, not just to our centre, but to the world beyond it. And through every giggle, gesture, and word, they are learning how to communicate who they are and what they see. We are proud to offer these opportunities and grateful to our whānau for their ongoing support.
Together, we are laying the foundations for confident, connected learners.