BestStart Hei Hei

Piwakawaka is our nurturing space for pēpi from 3 months through to walking, with Start with Heart at the centre of our approach. We take time to understand your baby's personality, cues and routines, helping create a smooth transition between home and early learning.

• Start with Heart: Responsive, nurturing care helps your baby build secure relationships and feel safe, understood and confident.
• RIE & Pikler-inspired care: Our respectful approach allows pēpi to be actively involved in care moments and develop at their own pace, supporting natural movement and growing independence.
• Familiar routines: We work closely with whānau to understand your baby's home routines and create consistency throughout their day.
• Strong relationships: Our kaiako take the time to build trust through everyday care moments, helping your baby feel secure and settled.

A calm, respectful start to your child's early learning journey.

Tui is our nurturing space for tamariki from walking to 2 years, where we continue to build the secure relationships established in their earliest days.  We work closely with whānau to understand each child's needs, interests and routines, creating consistency between home and the centre.

• Start with Heart: Responsive care and strong relationships help tamariki feel secure as they become more confident and independent.
• RIE & Pikler-inspired care: Our respectful approach supports toddlers to explore, move and develop new skills at their own pace, while encouraging growing independence.
• Strong whānau partnerships: We work alongside families to understand what matters to your child and support their individual needs and routines.
• Growing independence: Our environment encourages tamariki to explore, make choices and develop the confidence they need as they prepare to transition into the over-2s environment.

A supportive space where toddlers can grow their confidence, independence and sense of belonging.

Pūkeko is our toddler space for tamariki aged 2 to 4 years, where children are supported to develop independence, confidence and a strong sense of belonging. Our environment is designed around the individual interests and needs of each child, giving them opportunities to explore, make choices and take increasing responsibility for their surroundings.

• Learning through interests: We follow what excites each child, creating meaningful experiences that encourage curiosity and build a strong foundation for learning.
• Growing independence: Tamariki are given time and encouragement to have a go for themselves, make choices and develop practical skills.
• A sense of belonging: Caring, consistent routines help children feel secure and develop their sense of mana whenua and wellbeing.
• Respect for others: Tamariki are supported to care for their environment and learn how their actions contribute to a safe, happy space for everyone.

Pūkeko is a place where toddlers can feel secure, become increasingly independent and discover their place within their learning community.

Kākāpō is our preschool space for tamariki aged 3.5 years through to school, where children are encouraged to become confident, capable learners as they prepare for their next big step.

• Set for School: Our programme supports tamariki to develop the independence, confidence, social skills and practical foundations they need to feel ready for starting school.
• Social and emotional learning: Strong relationships are at the heart of our day, helping children develop emotional confidence, communicate with others and build positive friendships.
• Respect and responsibility: Tamariki are encouraged to respect themselves, each other and their environment, developing a growing sense of responsibility and belonging.
• Confident learners: Through play, exploration and meaningful experiences, children are encouraged to take the lead in their learning, ask questions and develop a love of discovering new things.

Kākāpō is a place where tamariki can grow in confidence, develop their independence and feel excited about their transition to school.