BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart Riccarton in Christchurch provides affordable, high quality education and award winning childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
At Beststart Riccarton, we are one big family!
We are proud to be a huge part of the Riccarton community for over 10 years! Close enough to the Riccarton Bush to hear the birds singing, we are in the heart of the community, only a few minutes away from the centre of town and close to our major bus routes.
We want out centre to be a home away from home, we share kai together like a big family, and celebrate whats important to each other - from small wins to large cultural festivals. We invite families to share whats important to them, as this is important to us too.
Our goal at BestStart Riccarton is to provide a welcoming, exciting, and safe atmosphere that fosters aroha. We accomplish this by forming a collaborative relationship with the tamariki (children) and their families, getting to know the Tamariki' needs and interests, and learning about the goals their parents have for them. We believe Children learn from hands on experiences, our Kaiako setup environments for children to explore and take control of their own learning.
Our vison is “let the uniqueness of the child guide our work”.
Our Team
Our Kaiako love setting up the environments so your child can be seen exploring a range of activities , and you can hear their delighted calls and laughter when they explore these experiences. Together with the children, our Kaiako love to exploring and learn alongside the children, having stimulating conversations and a laugh, and empower the children to have a voice in their day / making plans for the day. Whanau is a family, and our team's unwavering dedication and hard work each day demonstrate their respect and aroha for the families. Our Kaiako strive to offer to ensure their learning environment offers each child to build friends & lovely memories for life.
We have multiple bilingual teachers, and all up we can speak seven languages so we can support children and families from a range of cultures and those with English as a second language.
What We Offer
- 20 hours free for 3-5 year olds and WINZ subsidies available* if required
- Experienced tight-knit team of passionate teachers
- Get Set for School Programme
- Nappies Supplied for children Under 2 years old
- Regular Excursions
- Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks provided each day
- A bronze healthy heart award
Our Spaces
BestStart Riccarton is situated in the heart of Riccarton and across our two buildings, we offer engaging learning environments along with three large natural outdoor areas. Our beautiful outside environments are large and spacious, offering your child opportunities to explore and develop their gross motor skills.
Rimu Room/ Nursery
Under 2s (Tahi Building)
The Rimu Room is located in the Tahi Building and is a warm, nurturing, and caring environment full of age-appropriate resources to enhance the safety of this young age. The teachers prioritise building one-on-one relationships with babies while understanding their specific and unique needs to thrive. Our recently revamped sleep room offers each child, time and space to have restful sleep.
Harakeke Room /Toddlers
2-3 years (Tahi Building)
The Harakeke Room, located in the Tahi Building, caters to children aged between 18 months and 3 years old. Teachers actively participate in children’s exploration and offer toddlers with learning experiences to enhance their wonder, amazement, curiosity, and communication. We encourage self-help skills such as toilet training, eating food by themselves, and communicating their needs to teachers.
Kowhai Room/Preschool
3+ years old (Rua Building)
The teachers support children by setting up resources specific to each child's interests, curiosities, dispositions, and search for knowledge. These children are encouraged to develop skills at their own rate and to understand their own abilities through unhurried learning spaces. There are opportunities for children to use communication skills and they are encouraged to express their learning needs to teachers.
Totara Room /Prep
4+ years (Rua Building)
Teachers encourage learning opportunities and allow children to explore available resources, discover their capabilities, and prepare them for their transition to primary school. Independence is encouraged through long-term projects, curious conversations, informed decisions, responsibility, and preparedness to step into the next stage of their learning journey.