BestStart Vardon Road

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BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart Vardon in St Andrews provides affordable, high-quality education and award-winning childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Where children become the best versions of themselves!

With our focus on creating a home away from home, children experience a nurturing and supportive learning environment. Our strong relationship with the community and whanau ensures that every child feels connected and supported throughout their learning journey.

We build strong ties with our community by connecting with local businesses like the library, Bunnings, and nearby schools. Our center is surrounded by landmarks that enhance our curriculum, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and learning. Children enjoy regular trips to the library and Vardon Primary School, expanding their experiences.

We celebrate diverse cultural events, offering a variety of experiences to enrich children's understanding of the world around them. Our curriculum emphasizes imaginative play, cultural diversity, and open learning opportunities, encouraging exploration and discovery.

Our Team

We have a dedicated team who pride themselves on creating a warm, loving environment for children and their families, where feedback and working together in partnership is valued. We're passionate about working together to achieve the best outcome for our tamariki. 

What We Offer

  • Healthy, nutritious snacks provided
  • Regular Excursions 
  • Personalised StoryPark updates for your child
  • Curriculum reflecting and supporting children's interests
  • Winz and 20 free ECE hours approved

Our Spaces

Nursery Room

0 - 2 years old

Preschool Room

2 - 6 years years old

Video Gallery

Stevie's Fizz Experiment
Let's sing Tu tira mai nga iwi
Making Ginormous Bubbles
Did you hear a Monster

kind words from our parents

Parent

Teachers are so friendly and Thalia is really enjoying her time during the day and I would like to thank everyone for taking care of Thalia and making her happy and secure in her second home.

Parent

My child has been attending this centre for a while now and I feel that she has come a very long way with her learning; this is due to the teaching from the amazing staff at the centre. The staff are very approachable, which is great when I have questions or if I feel my child needs extra attention on a learning task. They are always encouraging towards my child which I feel helps her learn and look forward to attending the centre and playing with her friends.

Primary teachers Shirley and Sandra who are part of the Hamilton West Community of Learners

The visit to First Steps at Vardon was impressive. I know my teaching colleague, Cherie, was super impressed with the layout and general environment of both buildings. She was very busy snapping photos all morning and has made many suggestions as to how we could improve our ‘play based’ curriculum and resources. We saw some great ‘simple’ ideas that won’t cost us a lot to develop. Both Sandra and myself commented throughout the day how passionate and willing to share all the teachers were. One thing that we noticed was how the centre and the ECE sector is incorporating elements from the New Zealand Curriculum (key competencies) into their practice. This is definitely an area that new entrant teachers could explore further – eg. How can we incorporate elements from Te Whariki.

Parent

As working parents, we are looking for someone to look after our kids that will treat them as we do. My 2 year old son, is his first time to be away from us for more than 1 hour but First Steps Vardon assures him that he doesn’t have to worry because he’s in good hands. Teachers are warm and accommodating, patience is commendable handling not just one but groups of kids with different personalities and attitudes is tangible proof they are doing great. Furthermore, when unforeseen circumstances come, and we need to change enrolled hours, they won’t easily turn you down, instead they help to accommodate the changes without compromising the welfare of every single kid. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Glad that we chose this centre for my boy. Keep it up and I will definitely recommend you to my fellow mummies out there.

Parent

Just wanting to say how thankful I am to the First Step Vardon Staff for always going above and beyond to try help out their families. In particular last week I had an issue with my car and the team was more than happy to take the time to help me get started and back on my way. I am so appreciative and I feel like this is not a special experience to First Steps Vardon as the staff are always so caring and friendly. I love sending my sons to daycare with such capable, kind and caring people to look after them.

Lorna

I have always felt so welcome and can feel the love and energy they have for their job. Harry has had the most wonderful early learning experience from BestStart Vardon and I am very grateful. Harry is going off to school a confident, intelligent, kind and caring friend.

Courtney

You guys have been nothing but amazing ever since Braxton started and I’m so eternally grateful for all that you have done ! He loves it and he’s so happy there

What we're proud of

Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report 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

Whaanau Disco at BestStart Vardon Road

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Imagination Station at BestStart Vardon Road

Using our imagination station to spark our tamariki's interests!

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Our love for Matariki

We welcomed our families back to our centre to celebrate the Maori new year. We loved seeing all our children and families coming together for shared food and entertainment from Hamilton Junior High School.

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