BestStart Orewa West

The Puriri Room is a specially designed space where teachers and tamariki come together to bond, play and grow. Whether enjoying a cosy storytime, exploring textures and sounds through sensory play, or sparking imagination with creative activities, the Puriri Room provides a warm and safe environment where little ones can discover and grow.

Here, weaving our learning together is at the heart of everything we do. Through strong and responsive relationships with people, places and things, children develop a deep sense of connection and belonging. We focus on nurturing wellbeing by empowering each child to learn and grow in their own unique way.

Our approach reflects holistic development, recognising that children learn through a wide range of experiences that support their whole self – mind, body and spirit. We also value the important role of family and community, inviting whānau to be an integral part of our learning journey.

The Puriri Room is more than just a space – it’s a nurturing place where curiosity blossoms and every moment supports early development through play-based experiences.

The Kowhai Room is a vibrant, nurturing space where toddlers are supported to grow in confidence and independence. Here, tamariki are encouraged to explore, make choices and develop important self-help skills, all within a safe and welcoming environment.

Our programme celebrates every stage of your child’s journey, with hands-on experiences that invite curiosity, creativity and connection. Through active exploration, children discover the world around them and begin expressing themselves using the rich languages and symbols of their own and other cultures.

We place a strong focus on wellbeing, ensuring each child feels safe, supported and empowered to thrive. A deep sense of belonging is fostered through warm, respectful relationships with teachers and strong connections with whānau.

In the Kowhai Room, every day is filled with opportunities for discovery, growth and joyful learning.

The Kauri Room is a vibrant and inspiring space where tamariki prepare for the next big step in their learning journey: primary school. Our programme blends structured learning with play-based exploration, helping children grow in confidence, resilience and independence.

Just like the mighty kauri tree, we nurture strong roots so our tamariki can grow tall and proud. Every day is filled with opportunities to express ideas, explore the world around them and develop key skills across all areas of wellbeing including cognitive, physical, social and emotional. Whether it is practising early literacy and numeracy, solving problems with friends or discovering new ways to be creative and expressive, children are supported to learn with and alongside others in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

We honour each child’s individuality, culture and background, ensuring they feel a strong sense of belonging and pride in who they are. As tamariki gain confidence and develop working theories about the world, they begin to fill their bag of knowledge, full of the experiences, strengths and skills they will carry with them to school and beyond.

In the Kauri Room, children are not just getting ready for school, they are being set up for life.

Our under 2s playground is a calm and nurturing outdoor space designed to support the very first stages of exploration. With soft surfaces, sensory-rich activities, and low climbing structures, tamariki are encouraged to move, discover and build confidence at their own pace. It is a safe and welcoming environment where our youngest learners can play, connect and grow through gentle challenges and close supervision.

The over 2s playground is a dynamic and engaging space where tamariki can test their physical skills, spark their curiosity and enjoy adventurous play. With a range of equipment designed for climbing, running, building and imaginative play, this outdoor environment supports active exploration, social interaction and the development of independence. Every day offers new opportunities to challenge themselves, make discoveries and thrive through play.