BestStart Papatoetoe

Teacher and children
Green light_10Mar2024
Diwali celebrations
Colourfulcups_10Mar2024
Reading
Children sitting on mat_10Mar2024
Group Play sandpit_10Mar2024
Planting
Outdoor play_10Mar2024
Diwali Celebrations 2
Brown bowls_10Mar2024
Drums
BestStart Papatoetoe is an early learning centre located in Papatoetoe. We provide high-quality early education and award-winning childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Find a home with us

At BestStart Papatoetoe, we offer a warm, home-like environment where tamariki thrive through strong connections with their local community. We celebrate cultural diversity and welcome all traditions, ensuring our centre feels like an extension of each child’s home. Our curriculum is deeply rooted in the history and environment of Papatoetoe, with strong community links and local excursions that support children's learning and development.

Our Team

Our collaborative team of passionate kaiako is dedicated to providing personalised care and tailored learning experiences for tamariki. We foster reciprocal relationships with whānau and the wider community, working together to create a nurturing and supportive environment where tamariki feel valued and confident.

What We Offer

  • A great team of qualified teachers
  • Nutritious, freshly prepared meals are provided daily to support healthy growth and development
  • Set for School programme
  • Our learning is enhanced by our strong connections with the local community, including excursions to the nearby park, visits to Papatoetoe Central School, and ongoing collaboration with the local library.

Our Spaces

Harakeke Room

(Infants and Toddlers)

Toetoe Room

(2 to 5 years old)

Video Gallery

Quality Service Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

When looking for a daycare for Cassian the most important aspect was a centre that will enhance his well-being in our absence. BestStart Papatoetoe delivered exactly that from day one. We love the fact that we get constant updates on story park as well the time the teachers spent discussing Cassians activities at every pickup. The teachers ensure that Cassian is reaching all his milestones. Parental feedback enables us to set goals for his education. Best start papatoetoe has continued to provide support throughout the lockdown with zoom sessions as well as activities on storypark. At 17 months Cassian is surpassing all his milestones with exceptional speech skills, would not have been possible without the support of the teachers of BestStart Papatoetoe. Highly recommend.

Parent

As a Father to Te Maia-a-rangi I feel your Centre has a warm, safe and welcoming presence. As a Māori, that is the key fundamental for my child’s well-being, spiritual wellness. Without it we as Māori cannot function in this world. I also see and feel an understanding and appreciation of the Treaty of Waitangi, biculturalism, Te Reo and Tikanga Māori within your ECE Centre. Where the staff support and encourage the learning of Māori children and the involvement of Māori parents.

Parent

BestStart Papatoetoe is a great learning centre! It has everything that is needed in terms of educating and learning. There is lots of engagement between your child and the teacher. Our family highly recommends BestStart Papatoetoe and we encourage others to come and have a look. They welcome you in like family and always strive for the best for your child. Highly recommended!

Parent

I would refer you to a family member like my younger sister who has recently become a mother to my niece who turns 1 this year. She would most likely attend this school when she is of age. I love how the school is one big family and the children feel so welcomed and safe. Leycia has enjoyed the time that she has attended here, she has improved on her written and reading skills with her big brother, as they read the books he brings home from his school.

Kylie & Peter Cardwell

We realise that teaching is often a thankless job and we see how you pour your heart and souls into this. Your passion for teaching children is inspiring for us as parents. Don't think that because you don't hear 'Thank you' everyday, that we are not grateful for all you do. Thank you for helping mould Mathias into the bright spark he is today. He will miss seeing your friendly faces everyday!

Rita

My daughter who is going on 4years old has been with this daycare since 4months old, I have never had any issues and would always recommend them to family or friends.

Hannah

Price is competitive. Flexibility around hours. Healthy child-friendly meals provided and can cater for dietary requirements. Staff are friendly and helpful. Nice environment for the children and teachers support children and follow through with their interests.

Parent

For us, we required a safe and secure learning environment for our children – where they would feel included, supported, encouraged, and loved. We love hearing about the new things our children were trying/doing, the milestones that were being reached, and the fact that even us as parents were supported by the teachers and staff at Beststart Papatoetoe.

Parent

Our hopes and dreams for our tamariki are that they grow up as independent learners, that they are willing to try new things and to ‘tackle’ any difficulties they may face. We want them to know that they are encouraged and supported – and will always have people cheering them on from the sidelines. This last point has become evident now that our oldest child – Mathias (7 years old now, and a past Beststart Papatoetoe child) – is at Primary School and playing in Club Sports. He loves coming in to visit when doing pick ups for his little brother (Hunter), because he is still included and gets plenty of hugs, and encouraging words, and the teachers still show an interest in him and his learning to this day.

Parent

The People – the Teachers, Staff, the other children. The Supportive Environment that these People provide – we couldn’t ask for better when it comes to choosing a place to help raise our children. Thank you Beststart Papatoetoe, for all that you do. Our children have been/still are blessed to have each of you impact their lives in such a positive way!

Parent

The staff in BestStart Papatoetoe have made a real difference for my son, I believe the love and care they give to the children has brought him back to the boy he was before he started childcare, and I am extremely grateful for that. Continue to have staff that is caring and kind and wrap themselves in the children's lives, this is the reason that sets you apart from other childcare centres that are just there to do a job. having staff who genuinely love the children and work with them to grow is a huge help to parents like myself.

What we're proud of

Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report e-portfolio e-portfolio Most Trusted Childcare Most Trusted Childcare We have a Healthy Heart Award We have a Healthy Heart Award Quality Service Award Quality Service Award Set for School Set for School BestStart Educare Governing Organisation Report BestStart Educare Governing Organisation Report

LATEST STORIES FROM OUR BLOG

Our annual trip to Butterfly Creek

Whānau and tamariki explored Butterfly Creek, enjoying dinosaurs, butterflies, a scenic train ride, and a thrilling crocodile show at BestStart Papatoetoe.

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Taking pride and celebrating diversity at BestStart Papatoetoe

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Nurturing Our Heritage: Celebrating Cultural Identity

Children's identities, languages, and cultures are fundamental elements that shape their connections with the world and with others

READ MORE