BestStart Long Bay

A Sanctuary for Little Ones
Our Waiake and Toroa rooms are sanctuaries where babies feel safe, loved, and stimulated. With soft colors, gentle lighting, and age-appropriate sensory experiences, we create a home away from home for your precious little one.

Daily Care Routines
Kai Time: Nutrition is crucial. Our Kaiako follow each baby’s feeding schedule meticulously, ensuring they receive the nourishment they need. We adhere to healthy heart guidelines and welcome whanau feedback.

Nap Time: Sleep is essential. Each child has their own crib or designated sleeping space, with a consistent nap schedule to promote healthy sleep patterns.

Play and Exploration: Our kaiako engage infants in age-appropriate activities and sensory play to stimulate their senses and encourage development. From tummy time to interactive toys, every moment is an opportunity for growth and discovery.

Personalized Care and Attention

Each child is unique, and we celebrate their individuality. Our kaiako form close bonds with each baby, understanding their personalities, preferences, and developmental milestones. We prioritize open communication with parents to align our care routines with your family's preferences and values.

Safety and Hygiene

We maintain rigorous standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Nappy changing stations are sanitized after every use, and toys and surfaces are regularly cleaned to create a healthy environment for your baby.

Parent Partnership

We believe in a strong partnership between parents and Kaiako. Our door is always open for whanau to visit, ask questions, and share insights about their baby’s needs. We provide daily updates on your child's activities, feedings, and naps, ensuring you feel informed and connected.

Empowering Young Leaders in the Winitana Room

At BestStart Long Bay, we believe in fostering confidence and capability in every child. In the Winitana Room, our goal is to empower children to become confident and capable leaders in their own learning journey.

Our approach to planning is tailored to each child’s unique interests, needs, and learning styles, extending from the aspirations of their parents and whānau. We also weave our philosophy of Kaitikaitanga, Manakitanga, Kotahitanga, and Tū Tika into all aspects of learning, creating a holistic and inclusive environment where every child’s learning is supported, respected, and valued.

Engaging Daily Programs

Each day in the Winitana Room is filled with a wide range of experiences across 16 areas of play, where children can engage independently and thoughtfully. This unhurried, child-led approach encourages critical thinking and the development of working theories about the world around them. We embrace the use of natural resources, encouraging children to explore and connect with the environment, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability and the world they live in.

Preparation for School

Our curriculum is designed to help children develop essential skills for a smooth transition to school. In the Winitana Room, children are supported in building both independent and group-working skills. They develop their verbal communication and problem-solving abilities while being encouraged to take risks, learn from successes and mistakes, and build resilience and persistence.

Community and Environmental Engagement

In the Winitana Room, we place a strong emphasis on building connections with the local community and environment. Through regular walks, excursions, and community engagement, children learn about their surroundings and develop a deep connection to our local curriculum. Our philosophy of Kaitikaitanga (guardianship), Manakitanga (caring and hospitality), and Kotahitanga (unity) is reflected in the way we nurture and protect our natural resources, teaching children the importance of sustainability and community.

Supporting Transitions Within the Winitana Room

Within the Winitana Room, we support each child’s individual learning journey and growth. As children develop, we recognize that their readiness for new challenges varies, so we provide opportunities for them to take on more responsibility and leadership in their learning.

As part of this ongoing development, children begin to transition to more complex and independent learning activities at their own pace. This allows each child to gradually take ownership of their learning, fostering a sense of confidence and capability.

The transition process is guided by the child’s needs, ensuring that each child feels supported, confident, and prepared to step into the next phase of their learning journey.

Set for School at BestStart Long Bay

At BestStart Long Bay, our Set for School programme supports your child’s unique learning journey. We recognise every child and whānau has different needs and aspirations, and we tailor our approach to reflect that.

We focus on four key areas to help your child grow into a competent and confident learner. Our programme is grounded in research and shaped by feedback from local schools, so we know we are supporting your child to reach their full potential.

We work at your child’s individual pace and actively listen to your family goals and aspirations. Together, we prepare your child for a successful transition to school.

What We Focus On

• Self-Care and Independence: Learning to dress themselves, using the toilet independently, and managing personal belongings.

• Social and Emotional Skills: Initiating play with others, taking turns and sharing, asking and answering questions, and building confidence in their identity and culture.

• Communication and Thinking: Expressing their needs clearly, knowing their name and age, developing a strong vocabulary, and listening to and enjoying stories.

• Early Literacy and Numeracy: Counting and recognising numbers, enjoying counting songs and games, and starting to group and match objects.

Rich Transition-to-School Programme

In the Pohutukawa Room, children over four take part in our fun and engaging transition-to-school programme. We help them learn how to work independently and with others. They build confidence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively.

We encourage children to take risks, learn from both success and mistakes, and develop resilience.

We also work closely with local schools to make sure your child’s transition is smooth and positive.