BestStart Papamoa Plaza

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BestStart Papamoa Plaza is a new early learning centre in Papamoa Plaza providing quality education and care for children aged between 3 months to 6 years old. Part of the award winning BestStart family, voted Most Trusted childcare provider, we’re open from 7am to 6pm weekdays - only closing for public holidays - we also provide nutritious food everyday for all our children.

Growing Young Kaitiaki

At BestStart Papamoa Plaza we empower our tamariki to become kaitiaki/guardians of our environment with genuine Manaakitanga relationships.

Our environment is a place of beauty both inside and out. Our learning spaces are enriched with love and the atmosphere is calm and nurturing. Our indoor spaces are built to support the learning and development of every age group with high quality resources designed to spark curious minds. We have an expansive outdoor playground where children challenge themselves, building their independence and self-confidence. 

Learning through nature - We foster the innate tendency children have to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. This happens through taking learning out of the classroom, re-introducing the outdoors whilst enhancing all areas of their development through a natural discovery approach.

Exploration - Children enjoy the freedom of leading their own learning, exploring and discovering uninhibited in our environment. Children learn most effectively when they are connecting deeply with nature through play experiences. This is about creating interactions with people and the places where they play, being a kaitiaki of the land, learning to care for nature and the world in which we live.

Connection to nature - The concept of sustainability is introduced through experiential learning. Being outdoors in a natural setting enables children to develop a connection with the natural world that can lead to long-term environmental awareness and understanding as well as positive outcomes for their developing views of the world.

Our Centre Whakatauki

Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua, ko au. I am the whenua, the whenua is me. The land defines my quality of life. Land is our place to stand, our tūrangawaewae, and it is what makes Aotearoa New Zealand home

Our 0-2 year olds The nursery provides a calm, safe and inviting play space which empowers the children to be who they are. By offering the children space, time, and the support to be themselves they learn to explore and discover the world in their own unique way. We use effective respectful communication to encourage positive interactions and talk to children throughout the day during activities and transition times to reassure and help them.

Our 2-5 year olds Our children are respected and trusted for their inner potential and celebrated for who they are and where they have come from. They are valued for their meaningful work and purposeful child-led play – being active participants in their own learning journey. Our children are celebrated and respected for their capacity to investigate, explore and maintain curiosity in the world around them. We offer BestStart’s Be School Ready initiative for our preschool children, which is incorporated into everyday practice, assisting with the next step in their learning journey. The initiative encourages children to use their developing self-help skills and provides a range of opportunities to extend their independence.

Our teachers work alongside children and remain true to their role of nurturing, encouraging and inspiring the holistic development of all children. Our teachers thrive through their respectful engagement with children, sharing and celebrating in their moments of unplanned, unexpected and unlimited experiences. 

We'd love for you to come and visit us to see our wonderful and find our what we can offer your child. Contact us to book a tour or just drop in whenever suits. We look forward to meeting you.

Video Gallery

A world of wonder and discovery awaits
Rainy Day Fun
Our Vision
We Love Science
Quality Service Award 2023
A celebration of our cultural day.

kind words from our parents

Parent

At Beststart Papamoa Plaza the team are absolutely fantastic and Eady loves going. They go above and beyond to make sure she has a good day but they also make sure that I know she’s enjoying herself which makes leaving her so much less stressful.

Parent

My son is usually very shy and always keeps to himself and is not overly active. Since he started BestStart Plaza it's been awesome, even on the first day he came home so excited to tell me about his day and even offered to clean his room (he's never done that)! He's so much more confident now. Absolutely amazing change thank you so much.

Parent

I’m absolutely over the moon with the decision to enrol my girl at BestStart Papamoa Plaza. I couldn’t ask for a better environment for her to develop in. Thanks to the awesome teachers she absolutely loves being there!!

Parent

I love BestStart Papamoa Plaza, my children are in such an awesome daycare. I can’t fault it on anything. The team are so caring and I have trust in all the teachers. My children are always learning something new every day. Big thanks to Vicki and her awesome team. Every day my boy can’t wait to get to BestStart. He has built so much confidence.

Parent

I’m absolutely over the moon with the decision to put my girl in this daycare, I couldn’t ask for a better environment for her to develop in. Thanks to the awesome teachers, she absolutely loves being there!

Parent

If I could shout from the top of Mauao and sing your praises, I would make sure all know how incredible you are. Thank you so much for the devotion, patience and care you showed Tui over these past few months. She has truly blossomed in your care. She has come so far thanks to you. We are so sad to be leaving so soon but promise to carry you in our hearts and memories wherever we go. One of our greatest memories of our time here will truly be this time at BestStart Papamoa Plaza. You all are wonderful and we will miss you greatly. We hope you know how important and special you are.

Parent

Thank you all so much for the love and care you have shown our sweet Tui these past months. I have seen her grow in confidence and learned many new things because of all your hard work and dedication. We are so sad to be leaving so soon but we will always consider you part of our whanau. I know that Tui has established a special connection with each and everyone of you in different ways and we will make sure she never forgets her kaitiaki and the special role they played in her life.

Parent

We can’t thank you enough for the amazing teaching practice and environment you have created at the centre, our son has flourished so much during his time at the centre. Thank you for your support, time and effort to ensure our son knew his potential and worth, helping him to be the best he could be! We know he didn’t make it easy at times but in those times you have him the love, reassurance and guidance and never gave up on him. Because of that we will be forever grateful to you all. You are making such a positive difference in the lives of each child, you should all be very proud.

Parent

A big thank you for the past two years. Austin has grown so much in these past two years. Thank you for your time, love and patience. We are going to miss you all so much. Austin is going to miss his afternoon bikkies he told me after I asked him all the things he was going to miss. Hugs Austin and Family

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