BestStart Aidanfield

BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart Aidanfield in Halswell provides affordable, high quality education and award winning childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers

At Beststart Aidanfield, we are learners today, leaders tomorrow!

Our small, home-like centre features three classrooms, a dedicated long-standing staff, and an onsite cook who provides nutritious meals for all. Located in a close-knit community, we offer a spacious outdoor area next to a park where our tamariki often explore and play. Our local curriculum is enriched by the natural surroundings, including the Port Hills, Te Waihora, and the Canterbury Plains, which are significant to the local Iwi and native wildlife.

We believe that children learn best through interaction, building relationships, and exploring their environment. Our kaiako (teachers) work closely with whānau, respecting parents as first teachers, and collaborating to create a loving, secure, and developmentally appropriate environment. Every milestone is celebrated, and we take pride in our strong communication with whānau.

Inclusion and cultural appreciation are at the heart of our centre. We celebrate events like Chinese New Year, Matariki, and Language Weeks, and participate in nationwide initiatives such as raising funds for Plunket and the Cancer Society.

As a team, we are committed to community involvement, supporting tamariki in their transition to school and organizing local outings that foster an appreciation for their wider environment. We empower our children to become confident, independent learners who understand the importance of rules and expectations, building resilience, self-respect, and respect for others.

Our Team

We are a close-knit, long-standing team that works seamlessly together to support each other and our tamariki. We set high expectations and provide the guidance they need to thrive, preparing them for school with a consistent routine across all rooms. Our onsite cook ensures every child enjoys nutritious and delicious meals, catering to all needs. We love spending time outdoors in our spacious play area, which we view as an extension of our classroom, fostering exploration and growth.

What We Offer

• 20 hours free for 3-5 year olds and WINZ subsidies available* if required
• Regular Excursions into the community
• Experienced tight-knit team of passionate teachers
• Get Set for School Programme
• Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks provided each day

Our Spaces

BestStart Aidanfield is a specially designed early learning centre in a safe and quiet street in Halswell. We have a cosy and nurturing environment with lots of space for the children to learn and play.

Our outdoor area is very large, allowing us to provide a range of experiences including obstacle courses which help develop gross motor skills, balancing and hand-eye coordination. We are also very fortunate to have a very large sandpit that the children enjoy all types of activates in - baking, making tracks for the trucks, making sandcastles and their favourite activity - water play! We are lucky to have a park and reserve next door that we can take our tamariki too.