BestStart Rugby Park

Our centre is lucky enough to participate in the Wild @ Heart Bush Kindy programme here in Invercargill!

This is a minimum of a five-week programme where your child will join their friends,  our Wild @ Heart leader, Mr Kevin, and one of the teachers from your child’s centre for a day of outdoor exploration! We leave at 9:30am and return by 2:00pm one day per week.

By spending unhurried time in nature we are able to be creative, drive our own learning, challenge ourselves and our bodies and take appropriate risk, and create lifelong memories. We also connect to our tūrangawaewae (our identity and place we call home).

There are so many benefits to spending time in nature:

Emotional development: Spending time in nature helps children connect with their feelings and emotions.

Physical development: Outdoor activities provides children with opportunities to develop gross motor skills and coordination.

Cognitive development: Nature provides a rich variety of stimuli in multiple areas such as language, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Sense of wonder: Children develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world in which they live which instils curiosity.

Environmental awareness: How to take care of ourselves and our environment.

Improved attention

Reduces stress: Nature is peaceful and calming, it reduces anxiety and helps us to relax and recharge.

At BestStart Rugby Park, we understand the importance of intentional spaces designed specifically for our youngest learners. Our Pepe and Toddler areas are carefully crafted to nurture early development in a safe and stimulating environment. These separate spaces are thoughtfully equipped with age-appropriate toys, sensory materials, and cozy corners that encourage exploration, imagination, and social interaction. Our dedicated kaiako engage with each child individually, fostering language acquisition, motor skills, and emotional growth through play-based activities tailored to their needs. Whether it's a cuddle during storytime or messy play with tactile experiences, every moment in our Pepe and Toddler spaces is designed to support the unique needs of our youngest learners, ensuring they thrive in their early years at our centre.

In the older classrooms we implement a Set for School Programme where our curriculum is designed to introduce early literacy and numeracy concepts in engaging ways, ensuring each child builds a strong foundations for success. Through interactive learning experiences, hands-on activities, and child lead spaces, tamariki develop independence, critical thinking, and social skills essential for classroom settings and beyond. Our kaiako provide personalised attention, fostering a love for learning while instilling a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring new knowledge