BestStart St Albans

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At BestStart St Albans, our centre vision is 'A place where tamariki can thrive and be themselves'. Throughout our centre, our children are involved in all aspects of the centre routines, and drive our child led curriculum based around their interests. We empower our children to make decisions that affect their own learning - this drives everything we do.

At Beststart St Albans, we are a place where tamariki can thrive and be themselves!

BestStart St Albans is located near the Avon-Otakaro river in the city on a quiet side street. We are in a historic, converted villa.

We strive to support all our children to take managed risks within our environment. We understand the difference between risks and hazards and believe that supporting children through risk taking experiences helps challenge their thinking and empower them to become stronger, confident individuals later in life. 

Our children are involved in all aspects of the centre day, from driving our child let curriculum based around their interests to supporting cooking or baking morning or afternoon kai, or cutting up vegetables for lunches. We also support their learning through regular excursions into the community which extends their learning and helps them foster a sense of belonging and a love for being local!

Our Team

As an added extra we have an onsite cook who prepares all our meals under a full vegetarian menu. Our cook works alongside our families with any special requirements to ensure that your child comes home well fed after a day at Preschool. 

What We Offer

  • 20 hours free for 3-5 year olds and WINZ subsidies available* if required
  • Regular Excursions
  • Healthy Heart Award - nutrition and health is important to us
  • Get Set for School Programme
  • Fresh, nutritious, vegetarian meals and snacks provided each day

Our Spaces

We aim for our centre to be a home away from home. With two small rooms the children all form close relationships with each other and their teachers making transitions a breeze and fostering a sense of community among our centre whānau.

Pīwakawaka

(0-2 years old)

Pukeko

(2-5 years old)

Video Gallery

Fun with flags
Welcome to BestStart St Albans
Quality Service Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

I would like to give a HUGE thank you for the care and education Emmaly has received during her time at BestStart St Albans. Your staff are wonderful to interact with, and my daughter has felt welcomed and comfortable since her first day. I have enjoyed knowing that she eats in a shared, collaborative environment – I recommend your daycare to all of the new parents I meet. She is going to miss the sandpit and mudpit!

Parent

Our experience during our time here at BestStart has been one of the most welcoming, warm, and caring experiences we could have ever asked for.

Parent

I am so glad that I have chosen this place for my son. Over the last 3 and a half years I know he was well looked after and that his needs were fulfilled. He developed lots of skills and was always supported to achieve his best. We going to miss you all.

Parent

Really going to miss you girls and all the support for the boys and their growing into little individuals.

Parent

We are so sad to be leaving and I don’t think we will find a daycare like this one. We loved it here and the teachers were amazing.

Parent

Preya had a very good time here and she learned lots of things. She will miss everything from here. Thank you for the service.

Parent

Friendly staff. Had a great time with everyone in the centre. Good caring for kids by all staff.

Parent

It was very nice to be with you guys. Johan and Jordan really enjoyed the time in preschool. Thank you so much for the love and care for our family.

Parent

Just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for being an awesome, amazing part of Lilly’s journey growing up. As a parent I love this preschool and do does Lilly. We will really miss you guys xoxo.

Parent

It was very nice to be with you guys. Johan and Jordan really enjoyed the time in preschool. Thank you so much for the love and care for our family.

Parent

Just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU for being an awesome, amazing part of Lilly’s journey growing up. As a parent I love this preschool and do does Lilly. We will really miss you guys xoxo.

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