BestStart Riccarton Park

Tupu is our calm, nurturing space for pēpi under 2, thoughtfully designed to provide the gentle care and consistency little ones need in their early years. With two dedicated sleep rooms and caring kaiako who work closely with whānau, we can follow each pēpi's individual routines, sleep needs and developmental pace.

• Start with Heart: Our youngest tamariki experience responsive, nurturing care that focuses on secure relationships, emotional wellbeing and following each child's individual needs.
• Small, personalised environment: Licensed for up to 16 pēpi, our space allows teachers to provide attentive, individual care and get to know each child well.
• Strong whānau partnerships: We work closely with you to understand your baby's routines, interests and needs, helping create consistency between home and the centre.
• Dedicated sleep spaces: Two separate sleep rooms provide a peaceful environment for pēpi to rest and recharge throughout the day.

Tupu provides a warm home away from home, where your pēpi can feel secure, form trusting relationships and confidently explore their first learning experiences.

Named after our local Karamū subdivision, this is a vibrant space for our toddlers aged 2 to 3.5 years. At this stage, tamariki are becoming increasingly curious, capable and independent, and our kaiako provide the encouragement and support they need to confidently take those next steps.

Our Karamū Room has a strong focus on growing independence alongside social and emotional development. Through strong, trusting relationships with kaiako and their peers, tamariki are encouraged to make choices, express themselves, try things for themselves and develop confidence in their growing abilities.

• Growing independence: Tamariki are supported to make choices, take responsibility and have a go for themselves as they develop new skills.
• Social and emotional learning: Everyday interactions help children learn to communicate, manage emotions, build friendships and understand others.
• Learning through play: Hands-on experiences and opportunities to explore help tamariki follow their interests while developing new skills and confidence.
• Strong relationships: Caring kaiako provide the security and encouragement children need to confidently explore their environment.

Karamū is a place where toddlers can be themselves, have a go and discover just how capable they are becoming.

Our Kueo Room is home to tamariki aged around 3.5 years through to those getting ready to head off to school. As children grow in confidence and independence, we give them increasing opportunities to take responsibility for their learning, challenge themselves and develop the skills they need for their next big step.

• Set for School: Our Set for School programme is woven into everyday learning, helping tamariki develop the social, emotional and practical skills, independence and confidence they need to feel ready for school.
• Learning through play: Children learn through hands-on experiences that encourage them to follow their interests, solve problems, make decisions and develop practical life skills. From caring for their belongings to working alongside others and having a go at new challenges, everyday play helps tamariki build skills they can use in life beyond the centre.
• Learning beyond the centre: Regular excursions to nearby parks and local experiences, including special opportunities to watch the Riccarton Races, help tamariki build confidence, explore their community and connect their learning to the world around them.
• Growing independence: Tamariki are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for themselves and others, building the confidence and practical skills they will carry with them into school.

Kueo is a place where our older tamariki can stretch their wings, celebrate what they can do and feel excited about the next chapter in their learning journey.

Our additional classroom currently provides a flexible space for learning, play and special centre experiences. It gives tamariki another area to explore when we want to offer focused learning opportunities, run small-group activities or host special events. It also gives us extra indoor space to enjoy on rainy days, creating another option for play and discovery beyond our main classrooms.

Looking ahead, this space is intended to become our dedicated Set for School classroom, providing our oldest tamariki with an environment focused on building the independence, confidence, practical skills and learning foundations they need for their transition to school.

For now, we enjoy having the flexibility of an additional space that can change and adapt to what our tamariki and centre community need each day.