BestStart Great North Road

Tiriwa - Guardian and Nurturer

Ka tiaki mātou i te whenua, ka manaaki mātou i ā tātou pēpē.
"We care for the land, and we nurture our pēpē."

Named after Tiriwa, the guardian of Te Wao Nui ā Tiriwa (the Waitākere Ranges), our Tiriwa Room reflects the values of nurturing, protection, and care. Just as Tiriwa cared for the land and all that lived within it, our teaching team creates a calm, safe, and loving environment where our youngest tamariki can thrive.
In our Tiriwa Room, we embrace the principles of RIE and respectful practice, fostering responsive relationships that help babies feel safe, valued, and empowered. Through consistent, nurturing care, tamariki learn that their voices matter and that they are capable learners from the very beginning.
We honour each child's unique rhythm by following their individual routines and working closely with whānau to create a sense of continuity between home and centre. Care moments such as feeding, sleeping, dressing, and nappy changing are unhurried opportunities to build trust, connection, and security.
Our experienced kaiako focus on creating strong foundations for lifelong learning through meaningful relationships, responsive interactions, and a deep sense of belonging.
In the Tiriwa Room, every child is nurtured with aroha as they begin their learning journey.

Hape - The Journey of Belonging

Nō tātou katoa te wāhi, he mana tō tātou katoa!
"Everyone belongs, everyone has mana!"

Named after Hape, whose story reminds us that everyone has mana and everyone belongs, our Hape Room is a welcoming environment where toddlers are encouraged to develop confidence, independence, and a strong sense of self. 
This stage of development is full of curiosity, exploration, and growing independence. Our caring kaiako support children as they develop self-help skills, communication, social confidence, and emotional regulation through meaningful play experiences.
Each day offers opportunities for sensory exploration, music and movement, imaginative play, literacy, numeracy, and hands-on discovery. Through these experiences, children learn alongside others, build friendships, and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Inspired by Hape's story, we foster an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and supported to contribute in their own unique way.
The Hape Room is a place where children discover who they are, develop confidence in what they can do, and learn that they truly belong.

Hoturoa - The Leader of the Journey

He kaitoro māia mātou, kāore mātou e tuku!
"Brave explorers who never give up!"

Named after Hoturoa, the courageous captain of the Tainui waka, our Hoturoa Room encourages children to become confident explorers, problem solvers, and emerging leaders. 
At this exciting stage of development, children are eager to question, discover, and make sense of the world around them. Through rich play-based learning experiences, our kaiako nurture curiosity, creativity, resilience, and independence.
Children are encouraged to share ideas, collaborate with others, take on new challenges, and develop the confidence to persevere when things become difficult. Through meaningful interactions and intentional teaching, they build communication skills, self-regulation, empathy, and a love of learning.
Inspired by Hoturoa's leadership, courage, and determination, we support children to become capable learners who are ready to navigate their own learning journeys with confidence.
The Hoturoa Room is a place where curiosity blossoms, friendships flourish, and children discover the leader within themselves.

Kōwhatu ki te Uru - Standing Strong in Who We Are

E tū kaha ana mātou, e whakahīhī ana mō wai mātou!
"Standing strong, proud of who we are!"

Named after Kōwhatu ki te Uru, a respected leader, planner, and builder associated with the Karekare area. Inspired by his story, we support tamariki to develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of identity as they prepare for their next journey to school and beyond. 
Through our Set for School programme, children are empowered to become confident, capable, and independent learners. We focus on building self-help skills, resilience, communication, problem-solving, and a love of learning to support a successful transition to school.
Children regularly visit our local primary school, helping them become familiar with the school environment and easing the transition into their next stage of learning. Our fortnightly lunchbox days encourage independence and give tamariki opportunities to develop practical life skills and confidence.
Our curriculum is rich and engaging, incorporating literacy, mathematics, science, creative exploration, and physical development. Through intentional teaching and meaningful play experiences, children are encouraged to think critically, share their ideas, collaborate with others, and take increasing responsibility for their learning.
We also place a strong emphasis on identity, wellbeing, and leadership. Children are encouraged to stand strong in who they are, celebrate their strengths, respect the strengths of others, and contribute positively to their community. 
To support whānau, we host transition-to-school evenings where local new entrant teachers share insights and expectations, helping families feel informed, confident, and connected as their child prepares for school.
The Kōwhatu ki te Uru Room is a place where tamariki develop the confidence to stand tall, be proud of who they are, and embrace the exciting journey that lies ahead.