BestStart St Albans

Our Piwakawaka Room at BestStart St Albans is a small, intimate nursery for children under two, licensed for 16 tamariki. With a home-away-from-home feel and large bay windows that let in plenty of sunshine, this welcoming space gives pēpi and toddlers room to explore, play and make new discoveries. Our caring kaiako build close relationships with tamariki and whānau, helping every child feel safe, secure and supported as they begin their early learning journey.

• Space to explore: Our generous indoor environment gives tamariki room to move, discover and play, while the outdoor area features climbing equipment and a sandpit to encourage physical development and new challenges.

• Start with Heart: Our Start with Heart programme focuses on nurturing relationships, responsive care and meaningful everyday experiences, supporting your child's wellbeing and development from their very first days with us.

• A safe space for pēpi: Our separate nest space provides non-mobile babies with a safe area to explore and enjoy one-on-one time with their kaiako, supporting their individual needs and development.

• Sensory play and discovery: We use natural resources and offer messy sensory play, music and movement to encourage curiosity, creativity and learning through hands-on experiences.

• Individual care and routines: We follow your whānau routines from home to help make the transition into our nursery as smooth and comfortable as possible. Daily communication books for children under 18 months and memory books for all tamariki help keep whānau connected to their child's day and celebrate important milestones.

Our Piwakawaka Room provides a nurturing home away from home, where tamariki can build trusting relationships, explore their surroundings and grow at their own pace, with the care and support they need to thrive.

Our Pūkeko Room at BestStart St Albans is a welcoming preschool environment licensed for 34 tamariki, where children are encouraged to develop independence, build confidence and explore their interests. With a recently refurbished natural backyard and plenty of opportunities for active play, creativity and discovery, our preschool supports children to take on new challenges and grow as capable learners.

• Space to explore: Our large natural backyard features challenging climbing equipment to develop upper body strength, a spacious sandpit for imaginative play and a sealed bike track where tamariki can ride, move and burn off energy.

• Growing and cooking kai: Our vegetable garden and surrounding fruit trees give children hands-on opportunities to learn about growing, harvesting and cooking their own kai, helping them understand where food comes from.

• Set for School: Our four-year-olds take part in dedicated Set for School hui, building confidence and independence as they prepare for their next step to school. Experiences may include exploring numbers and letters and learning practical skills such as using scissors.

• Learning through shared interests: Regular mat times at 9.15am, 11.15am and 1.15pm bring tamariki together for songs, dancing, stories and shared learning. Each month, our Pūkeko Room explores a special interest inspired by the children's own curiosity or events happening in the community.

• Individual learning experiences: Our kaiako plan experiences to support each child's learning and development, helping tamariki explore their interests, build new skills and learn at their own pace.

Our Pūkeko Room provides a supportive space for children to grow in independence and confidence, with meaningful learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and a love of discovery as they prepare for their next learning adventure.