BestStart Burnside

0508 BESTSTART

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Phone (03) 358 2917
Email enquiries@best-start.org

Where we are

11 Sir William Pickering Drive Burnside Christchurch 8053

Opening hours

Monday7.30am - 5.30pm
Tuesday7.30am - 5.30pm
Wednesday7.30am - 5.30pm
Thursday7.30am - 5.30pm
Friday7.30am - 5.30pm

AT BESTSTART BURNSIDE, RELATIONSHIPS ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR EARLY LEARNING CENTRE.

We value strong, reciprocal relationships between our children, whānau and our wider community. We encourage lifelong learning through tuakana teina relationships and ako, where our children work together and learn from one another. We provide a fun and inviting environment that promotes respect, independence and communication for all.

Sense of belonging - Every child at BestStart Burnside has their own Key Teacher. This unique key teacher approach is evident across all three classrooms through the love and trusting relationships that each child and their whānau have within our centre. Children develop a secure attachment with a special teacher who works closely with the whole family to provide the best learning outcomes for your child.

Individual development - We view tamariki as unique individuals, capable of driving their own learning through making their own choices and initiating play opportunities. We facilitate opportunities for the tamariki to build on their own interests, strengths and to develop social skills enabling them to grow up as competent and confident learners. Tamariki establish a strong, safe and secure sense of belonging. Every child is celebrated and acknowledged for what they bring; their culture, customs and knowledge.

Our learning spaces

Nursery (3 months-2 years) - In our nursery we have a strong focus on each individual child’s care and learning. We ensure all interactions are authentic and responsive, where needs and wants are heard and met. Interactions are respectful, informing children about what is happening and letting them feel empowered in their environment and building their sense of contribution. Respect, independence, love, security and a sense of belonging happens.

Preschool (2 years-3.5 years) - Our preschool provides a fun, meaningful and child-driven learning environment where fun and a sense of humour are essential. The preschool places an emphasis on promoting respect, communication and independence. We use rich language, encouraging the use of both verbal and non-verbal skills to communicate and resolve conflicts. Supporting children to express themselves in a variety of different ways helps provide them with skills and strategies to build and maintain relationships with others.

Prep School (3.5 years – School) - In the prep school we have a developed transition to school programme which supports both children and parents with the next stage of their child’s education journey. Our environment is set to spark curiosity, encourage collaboration and strengthen communication. We focus on ensuring our children are respectful, confident, competent and responsible and who are flexible thinkers that have a real love of learning.

Hangaia he tūāpapa hei oranga ki te aroha i te ako - Building a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

For more information about the specific fees for your centre, please contact us directly (03) 358 2917 / burnside@best-start.org. You might be eligible for support paying their childcare fees. For more information click here.

Video Gallery

Welcome to our Nursery

Quality Services Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

Thank you so much for all the love you have all given our beautiful boys over the past six years at BestStart Burnside. You really have been like an extension to our family and we will all miss you! I never imagined that a preschool would be so enriching for a child’s first education, both boys have just thrived on your teaching. You all do such an amazing job and we really admire your enthusiasm and patience. We really appreciated it!

Parent

Each and every one of you have played such an important part in our daughters life for the past 2 half years and given her the best possible start. And no matter what else has been going in her world, you have given her a safe place, full of warmth, fun and learning and we will be forever grateful for that

Sheema

We are extremely grateful for all the hard work the teachers have done in caring and educating my daughter. She has grown so much and loved being part of BestStart. Huge thank you to all the teachers

Leah

Thank you to all of my preschool teachers. You helped me learn, grow and become a happy confident 5 year old girl who is now ready for school. I will miss you lots but I promise to pop in! See you soon lots of love

Michelle

You guys are all truely amazing teachers Phoenix has come so far with his confidence and I put it all down to you guys working with him at his pace. I wish you all well for the future. Xxoo hugs to all

Peter

Thank you so much for all the love and care that you are giving to our little treasure. It is such a cool environment and great to see her so happy with all her new friends

Rebecca

I cant thank you enough for all the love and care you have given Noah since he was 13 weeks old. He has always been in the best hands and had wonderful teachers who have helped shape him into the hilarious, cheeky, caring little boy that he is. I am forever grateful

Parent

BestStart Burnside has been amazing for our daughter. She has developed a lot both in regard to her physical and social confidence since being with BestStart Burnside. She runs up to her carers and gives them hugs at the start of each day, which is fantastic to see because we know she is happy and comfortable with the staff. Seeing how happy she is, lets us feel secure in the knowledge that she is being well taken care of by people who genuinely care. We don't have a single bad word to say about the centre - enrolling our daughter there has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Te Arna

We love BSB! We've been there 6 years with our 3 boys. Absolutely love the teachers! They go above and beyond for our kids, take a genuine interest in their needs and wellbeing and form great relationships with whānau. Will be really sad when we leave in 2025.

Emma

From the office staff through to the educators, BestStart Burnside have an incredible team who are passionate about their roles. They operate a caring and nurturing philosophy, and are very responsive to the childrens' needs. From my daughter's first visit, she has been warmly welcomed and the staff have been very accomkmodating and helpful. The facilities are great and the staff plan & engage the children in a variety of exciting activities. Highly recommend this centre, thank you for your awesome work!

Nathan

Great staff always smiling and able to have a laugh our son started here just before he turned 2 now 6 and daughter started at 6 months almost 2 now so the poor staff will have to put up with me for 3 more years yet

Chris

BestStart Burnside is an incredibly friendly, community focused team who are fantastic role models and kaiako to our young tamariki!

Gabs

Nothing I can say puts into words how much these humans understand my baby, my whānau and me. Our family went through some significant losses and really difficult situations and I was so concerned about my baby not feeling the stress of that. The beautiful teachers continued to tell me of my baby’s progress and that he was thriving. And I could see it so clearly. He loves going to nursery and he has learned so much and continues to learn each day. His successes are their successes and we are updated on our child’s learning often. They know when bubs needs a cuddle, they work with each child in such a compassionate and loving way. They’ve helped my baby grow more confident in himself and in play and that is something I will be forever grateful for. BestStart Burnside, you have made such a huge difference in our lives and in the lives of so many families and children. Thank you for always showing up for our babies.

Donna

We looked at so many different preschools before finding BestStart Burnside, which is the perfect fit for our son. They are amazing here. All the teachers get to know your child quickly and really care about them. They are all very approachable and take time to talk to you about how things are going with your child. I can't recommend it higher.

Jane

We had our son here and now our daughter, a Awesome bunch of staff who really make you feel welcome, they build great relationships not only with the children but their families too, you can also have a good laugh with them, for the last 6 years they have been like an extended family and a home away from home for our kids!

Susan

Wouldnt send my daughter anywhere else now. Top quality facility and teaching staff who genuinely care about my daughter!

Susan

Wouldnt send my daughter anywhere else now. Top quality facility and teaching staff who genuinely care about my daughter!

Jane

Tearna

Gabriella

I had debated sending my baby (now 21 months) to a few different home based care options. My step son went to BestStart Burnside years ago and it was amazing but for some reason I was set on home based care. My husband and I dropped by BestStart Burnside on a whim as I couldn’t find anything suitable (and I’m ridiculously over protective and nervous). Nothing I can say puts into words how much these humans understand my baby, my whānau and me. Our family went through some significant losses and really difficult situations and I was so concerned about my baby not feeling the stress of that. The beautiful teachers continued to tell me of my baby’s progress and that he was thriving. And I could see it so clearly. He loves going to nursery and he has learned so much and continues to learn each day. His successes are their successes and we are updated on our child’s learning often. They know when bubs needs a cuddle, they work with each child in such a compassionate and loving way. They’ve helped my baby grow more confident in himself and in play and that is something I will be forever grateful for. BestStart Burnside, you have made such a huge difference in our lives and in the lives of so many families and children. Thank you for always showing up for our babies. So much aroha for you all

Nick

Our daughter has been enrolled at BSB for just over a year now and it is fair to say that she has loved every minute of it. From the moment she started attending BSB, her development has rocketed along. The confidence she has in herself and her willingness to push herself have increased tenfold and it has been amazing to watch. A large part of her development can be attributed to the wonderful staff at BSB. The center has a real family feel about the place and everyone is so welcoming and friendly. They treat our daughter like family and we know that she considers them to be part of her little family also. The staff have encouraged her to embrace her little personality which has resulted in a lot of growth and some pretty sweet dance moves. We highly recommend BSB to absolutely everyone who has a preschool aged child.