BestStart Oraha Road

From the moment you step into our centre, you will feel a sense of belonging and Aroha - and will be welcomed by our friendly team. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to be nurtured, respected, and empowered.

He tina ki runga, he tāmore ki raro.
To flourish above, one must be firmly rooted below.
– Māori whakatauki
We embrace the Reggio Emilia Philosophy and Te Whāriki (the NZ early childhood curriculum) to foster curiosity, creativity, and environmental guardianship.

Inspired by our local Riverhead Forest, our learning environment reflects the forest's diverse and interconnected nature. Our outdoor area, with established trees and a meandering riverbed leading to a vast sandpit, provides a natural, picturesque setting for exploration.

Our learning environment, the ‘third teacher’, is designed to ignite wonder and collaboration. Our classrooms are safe and equipped with resources that support children’s growth. We share each child’s learning journey through daily conversations and individual learning stories on StoryPark. Our ‘Set for School’ programme supports children’s transition to Primary School, and our ‘Bring your lunch box Fridays’ encourage self-care. Our dedicated Chef creates nutritious meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce from our centre garden.