BestStart Raumati

At BestStart Raumati, our families often describe our centre as a “home away from home” and from the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll understand why. You’ll be welcomed by the aroma of fresh baking, friendly kaiako, and a warm, homely atmosphere where tamariki and whānau feel valued, respected, and connected.

Our vision, ‘Our Community, Our Learning’, reflects our belief that learning is deeply connected to our community, including our tamariki, whānau, kaiako, and the people, places, and experiences that shape our world.

• Supporting Social and Emotional Growth: Our kaiako intentionally model positive relationships and support tamariki to build friendships, solve problems, express their emotions, and develop confidence in themselves and others. These are important life skills that help children thrive now and into the future.

• Connecting Children to Their Place: Through our localised curriculum, tamariki develop a strong connection to the Raumati community and an understanding of their role within it. We encourage children to explore, discover, and engage with the world around them, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging.

• Set for School: Our older tamariki are supported to become confident and capable learners as they prepare for their next step to school. Through everyday play and learning, they develop independence, resilience, social and emotional skills, and early literacy and numeracy foundations.

• Game Time with Coach Mattie: Every Monday, our older tamariki take part in fun, structured Game Time sessions, developing fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, and kicking. Along the way, they build confidence, learn to follow instructions, take turns, and participate in group activities.

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, guided by the whakataukī, “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

At BestStart Raumati, we are proud to provide a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. Together with our whānau and community, we create meaningful learning experiences that support every child to grow, belong, and thrive.