BestStart Puketaha Road

We ask you to close your eyes and imagine. Smell the fresh air, feel the space and the freedom to move and run. Listen to the bees buzzing, the sheep and goats bleating in the nearby paddock. Listen to the pigs snorting and grunting as they lay in the sun, watch the chickens and ducks roam free as they waddle and scratch. Now open your eyes. Welcome to BestStart Puketaha.

Where life grows

No matter the weather, our friends at BestStart Puketaha are exploring their surroundings. Encouraged to get their hands dirty, take risks and explore. Here at Puketaha we climb fences, we wade through long grass in the paddocks, and throw leaves in the autumn. We collect natures treasures among the trees, no walls to our classrooms. No matter the weather, age or stage, even in winter, it's gumboots, overalls and jackets.

Our friends get given responsibility as kaitiaki they care for the land, and the animals. Collecting eggs, feeding and watering the animals as well as cultivating the vegetable gardens bringing produce back inside for our community marketplace, or straight to the kitchen where our cook can utilise within our menu.

Our passion for involving our community is inspiring, our community library, marketplace and orchard with a bush kindy in the making. We have monthly visits with our local rest-home and fortnightly school visits with Puketaha school, just minutes down the road.

Our Nursery Room provides a space where wonder and curiosity is invited. The Kaiako in this room connect even our youngest pepi to their land to allow our children to create their own working theories about the world around them. There is never a moment too busy for a cuddle, a chat or a smile among learning and routines. The Nursery goes at the pace of our children, catering to their needs, their interests, and their whanau aspirations.

As you enter our Toddler Room, you will be greeted by friendly Kaiako and children filled with the spirit of enquiry and a thirst for knowledge. Our room is filled with a variety of activities to suit all discovering minds as they learn through their interests. Singing songs, creating rivers, castles and mixing water and sand while exploring our environment are a few of our favourite daily activities. Serving our own drinks and kai is one way of fostering independence in our toddler room. Feeding the chickens that gather at the gate and having many discussions with our farmyard animals is ongoing throughout the day. Our large outdoor space allows us to explore, discover and have a sense of wonder; connecting us to our magical rural outlook and the Kaimai ranges nestled into the horizon.  

Our Preschool Room is where an excitement and love for learning continues to flourish! With our strong connection to the land, our tamariki build compassion, care and empathy for others and their environment. Many constructions are made; challenges overcome, manageable risks taken and creative imaginations grown. Supportive caring Kaiako that will help each child to reach their potential. Music and Waiata can be heard throughout the day. Literacy, maths and science is interwoven through PLAY!

Come and join the fun with lots of hands on sensory experiences. BestStart Puketaha, a place to grow, cultivate and play. Don’t leave footprints in the sand, leave your boot tracks in the mud!