BestStart Sunset

Playground_June 2024
Excursion_19Dec2023
Babies_June 2024
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Staff Photo_19Dec2023
Teacher and child_June 2024
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Babies_19Dec2023
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BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart Sunset in Mangakakahi provides affordable, high-quality education and award-winning childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Mauria te Pono – Believe in Yourself

At BestStart Sunset, we believe positive, strong, and trusting relationships between parents/whānau, children, and staff are essential for the best outcomes for all children. Our home-like environments for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, encourages children to explore their interests, make decisions, problem-solve, and develop relationships at their own pace with support from our experienced and qualified teachers.

The well-being of our tamariki, kaiako, and whānau is central to our philosophy, derived from Te Whare Tapa Whā. We focus on the holistic learning and well-being of each child by understanding their identity, interests, routines, and feelings. We engage genuinely with whānau and the community, recognizing them as the first teachers and vital to the child's overall well-being.

We are committed to inclusive environments that support diverse learners and provide opportunities for all children to enjoy learning together. Our dedication to authentic bi-cultural practices involves learning and using Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga, respecting each child's unique identity and culture, and participating in practices that reflect all cultures within our centre.

Our Team

We have a dedicated team that prides themselves on creating a warm, loving environment for infants and their families, where feedback and partnership are valued.

What We Offer

  • Nutritious cooked meals
  • Set for School programme
  • Regular community excursions
  • Qualified, experienced teaching team
  • 20 hours free for 3-5-year-olds
  • WINZ subsidies available* if required

Our Spaces

Our rooms are designed to reflect important values such as aroha, manaaki, whanaungatanga, tuakana-teina relationships, ako, and Te Whare Tapa Wha, guiding our daily activities and interactions. Come in and talk to the teaching team, and see for yourself all the wonderful experiences we are offering

Takahe Room

Infants

Tiwaiwaka Room

2 - 3 years old

Hokioi Room

3 - 4 years old

Kea Room

4 - 5 year olds

Video Gallery

Connecting Generations
ABC Rotorua Sunset's Future Superstars
Perseverance and reward!
Practicing our kapa haka
Anuhe Weekly Vibes
A week in Purerehua
Shining bright - building courage through song
Quality Service Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

We would like to thank you for the wonderful job you do in caring for our child. It is great to come in each day to be greeted by smiling happy staff who take an enthusiastic interest in all the children’s learning and daily activities. Under your care I have noticed that my sons has become more social, and his language and cognitive skills grow stronger each day. We are also grateful for the safe environment at you provide, it gives such piece of mind! Our son loves the meals prepared at the centre and it is good to see them tasting and enjoying a variety of food. The centre newsletters are great for communication. Most of all, thank you for nurturing and loving my son.

Parent

Thank you so much for all the incredible support of Sophie and Travis this year (and always). Sophie has had a wonderful start to school and Travis is growing so much. Our family has so much appreciation for you all. To Kysha for the delicious food and special care you give to Trav, thanks so very very much.

Parent

I just wanted to send some gratitude to you guys. I've finally figured out how to join Marley's StoryPark together so I spent the weekend reading over her stories since starting at the centre and I'm absolutely gobsmacked at the amazing learning stories Maea is producing. They've genuinely made my heart full of happiness. Just really incredible, in depth amazing learning stories, so thanks to Maea. Please tell her how much it means to Marley and her whanau to see as no one from her Dad's side has even seen the daycare and now they have all this precious insight into Marleys life there - just thrilled!

Parent

I have 2 Children at BestStart Sunset and they've both previously been enrolled in other centres throughout the BOP. This teacher she will change lives. Her passion and respect for her work is something I've never come across. She goes above and beyond on her learning stories for my children and I can read the excitement she feels watching them achieve milestones. My whanau all communicate with her on story park and her enthusiasm and attempts at linking their experiences with my daughter and then how they relate to what she's working with at school are just so incredible. She organised a school trip because I told my kids a maori myth and she made it happen so my husband my kids and myself could all enjoy the trip with other kids and staff from the school. The way she connects and relates is so awesome and I feel so comfortable and safe leaving my kids there with her.

Teacher

Our Head Teacher attended a morning tea with NZMA on behalf of our centre. We got some really awesome feedback. Over the many years of students training to become qualified ECE teachers, the students and their mentor let us know that they have felt very supported as students and have left feeling reassured that ECE is the career for them. We have a lot of respect for our future students/teachers and do all we can to welcome them into our centre, share in knowledge and inspire our future teachers.

Parent

A big huge thank you to all the teachers who have supported, cared for and taught my daughter for the last 3+ years!

What we're proud of

Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report e-Portfolios e-Portfolios We're part of the Building Blocks Programme We're part of the Building Blocks Programme Most Trusted Childcare Most Trusted Childcare Quality Service Award Quality Service Award Set For School Set For School BestStart Educare Governing Organisation Report BestStart Educare Governing Organisation Report

LATEST STORIES FROM OUR BLOG

Diwali Celebrations 2023

We celebrated Diwali with our tamariki, including Rangoli art, Henna for our hands and dressed up in bright colours and traditional clothing along with dance and music.

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Mauria te reo, Mauria te pono o te Ao Maori

It is that time of year to celebrate Te wiki o te reo Maori 2023. Here at BesStart Sunset, we uphold our mana through our centre philosophy founded from whare tapa wha and centre vision, "Mauria te pono - believe in yourself".

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Celebrating Diverse Cultures!

​Africa Day Here at Start Sunset we celebrated Africa Day in recognition of all the countries in Africa and the independence of the Ubuntu people.

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