BestStart North Road

Here in our homely Tuatara Room we are guided by the principle whanaungatanga by growing and maintaining strong, honest relationships with our whanau and our tamariki - allowing us to provide consistency between home and centre throughout their day. We respect tamariki for their individuality and are guided by their unique cues and communication styles. We also have a strong focus on manaakitanga - creating a culture of kindness between tamariki and creating friendships that can follow them all through their whole journey here at BestStart North Road and beyond.

 Tamariki are empowered and supported to freely explore, to test their limits and boundaries within our safe and stimulating learning environment. We love getting out into the community when we can, exploring our local area and the world around us. 

In the Paihamu room we provide an environment where tamariki are encouraged to explore and try new things while working with each other and building an “I can Do It” mindset.

We are guided by the principle of whanaungatanga. Which for us means an open door policy that supports responsive and reciprocal relationships between whanau, kaiako and tamariki building a great sense of community and mana whenua | belonging.

In the Paihamu room we provide many experiences for tamariki to explore using their senses, building early mathematical concepts and skills as they work with and alongside others sharing ideas and investigating and building social skills.

In the Pukeko room we acknowledge and believe that young children learn through the relationships they experience with people, places and things in their world, which builds a solid foundation for future learning. Kaiako value both planned and spontaneous learning through projects, inquiry and making connections with the wider world. We offer a ‘Wild at Heart’ program that make regular excursions to Thompson’s Bush, this gives tamariki the opportunity to become confident learners and explorers of the natural environment. Explore Discover Learn.

Our centre is lucky enough to participate in the Wild @ Heart Bush Kindy programme here in Invercargill!

This is a minimum of a five-week programme where your child will join their friends,  our Wild @ Heart leader, Mr Kevin, and one of the teachers from your child’s centre for a day of outdoor exploration! We leave at 9:30am and return by 2:00pm one day per week.

By spending unhurried time in nature we are able to be creative, drive our own learning, challenge ourselves and our bodies and take appropriate risk, and create lifelong memories. We also connect to our tūrangawaewae (our identity and place we call home).

There are so many benefits to spending time in nature:

Emotional development: Spending time in nature helps children connect with their feelings and emotions.

Physical development: Outdoor activities provides children with opportunities to develop gross motor skills and coordination.

Cognitive development: Nature provides a rich variety of stimuli in multiple areas such as language, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Sense of wonder: Children develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world in which they live which instils curiosity.

Environmental awareness: How to take care of ourselves and our environment.

Improved attention

Reduces stress: Nature is peaceful and calming, it reduces anxiety and helps us to relax and recharge.