BestStart Kenderdine Road

BestStart Kenderdine Road is a childcare centre close to the Papatoetoe train station and Allan Brewster Leisure Centre. We cherish our community ties and are a multi-cultural centre, with Samoan, Cook Island, Indian, European, Chinese, Fijian and Maori teachers. If you live in or around Papatoetoe and need childcare, this centre is a great choice for your family.

Seeing the world through their eyes

Mā te ahurei o te tamaiti e ārahi i ā tātou mahi. Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.

Children are creative, curious and unique in their own way with their diverse identities, languages and cultures. Our aim is to support and promote our children's learning and development by providing them with ample opportunities and experiences which integrates their unique interests, knowledge, experiences, and looking through their perspectives.  

It is also about knowing the children and their whanau and everything they bring with them. It's about stepping back and observing the children gaining a deeper understanding about ' why they do, what they do, and what they do in the way they do'. Children are co-author of their learning and teachers act as facilitators.

Our Local Curriculum

• An Open-Ended Learning Environment for all children by empowering them to lead their learning
• Bi-Culturalism and valuing children’s diverse languages, cultures and identities
• Promoting a Sustainable play space and respect for Papatūānuku (Mother Earth)
• Pathways to Kura (School) by preparing children for their next journey

Our Learning Spaces

Your child will be supported in their unique learning journey in one of our six rooms designed to meet the needs of each age and stage

Harakeke. In the Harakeke Room, your infant has a teacher dedicated to their needs, whom they will develop a trusting relationship with. They will follow your baby's lead in their daily routine and provide a calm environment, allowing them to develop at their own pace. Their learning will be exciting, with a range of age appropriate learning opportunities.

Kowhai. From 18 months to 2.5 years, your child will be here with a team of teachers that are always prepared to take on the challenges the toddler age group presents. As their emerging physical skills put them at the height of their curiosity, your child will be encourage to explore in a warm and responsive space.

Pohutukawa. Here the focus is on helping your child (2.8 - 3.5 years old) explore and develop their understanding of the physical, social and natural world. They will use a rich variety of resources, thoughtfully presented to evoke curiosity and risk-taking, which will develop self-help and interpersonal skills.

Kea. Creativity, nature learning, shared learning, science and mathematics are used to help your child pursue their interests in meaningful ways in this spacious room with beautifully manicured playgrounds. Kea Room welcomes children from 3.6 to 4 years old. 

The Tui Room. Your child's literacy and mathematics skills are consistently supported through a wide variety of play-based learning experiences. There is also a strong focus on developing self-help skills in children from 4 to 5 years of age.  

For your convenience, we have two entrances - one at 42A Wyllie Road and one at 19 Kenderdine Road.

We were recognized this year by Reader's Digest, who awarded us the Gold Quality Service award. 

For more information about the specific fees for your centre, please contact us directly (09) 277 0994 / kenderdine@best-start.org You might be eligible for support paying their childcare fees. For more information click here.