BestStart Waitangirua

3 Button Lane, Waitangirua, Porirua 5024 View on map

04 235 9404

Mon - Fri 7:30am to 5:30pm

Book a visit Enquire Now

Home Our Centres BestStart Waitangirua Our Spaces

Overview Meet our team What we are proud of Our Spaces News & Events Contact

Discover our unique rooms

BestStart Waitangirua offers four thoughtfully designed learning spaces for tamariki at different ages and stages, creating environments where children can feel secure, explore their interests and grow in confidence. Our Harakeke and Mana Rooms have both been newly renovated, with new outdoor spaces that give our youngest tamariki more opportunities for safe, age-appropriate outdoor exploration.

Our Awarua and Rereoa Rooms work closely together, creating opportunities for tuakana-teina relationships where older and younger tamariki can learn from and support one another. Across our indoor and outdoor environments, children are encouraged to explore, build independence and learn through meaningful experiences that reflect their interests and developing abilities.

Harakeke Room(1-2 years old)

Our Harakeke Room is a calm, nurturing space where your pēpi can feel safe, secure and supported as they discover the world at their own pace. Recently renovated with a dedicated outdoor playground, the room has been thoughtfully designed to give our youngest tamariki plenty of space to explore both indoors and outdoors while staying close to their familiar kaiako.

Start with Heart: Our youngest tamariki are supported through responsive, nurturing relationships that build trust, security and confidence from the very beginning.
Individual routines: Our caring kaiako work closely with whānau to understand your baby's routines, cues and needs, helping create consistency between home and the centre.
Their own outdoor space: Having a dedicated playground means pēpi can enjoy outdoor experiences in a safe, age-appropriate environment designed specifically for their stage of development, with their kaiako close by to support their exploration.

Harakeke is a warm and welcoming space where your baby can build trusting relationships, enjoy new experiences and grow at their own pace.

Mana Room(2-3 years old)

Our Mana Room is a newly renovated space designed to support toddlers as they become more independent, curious and confident. With a brand-new outdoor area to explore, tamariki have plenty of opportunities to move, discover and develop new skills through active, hands-on play.

Growing independence: Children are encouraged to make choices, try things for themselves and develop confidence in what they can do.
Learning through exploration: Our thoughtfully designed environment gives toddlers opportunities to investigate, experiment and follow their natural curiosity through play.
New outdoor space: Our newly created outdoor area gives tamariki more room to move, challenge themselves physically and enjoy fresh-air learning experiences alongside their friends.
Nurturing relationships: Our kaiako provide the reassurance and encouragement children need as they navigate this exciting stage of development.

Mana is a space where toddlers can confidently explore, build independence and enjoy the fun of discovering something new every day.

Awarua Room (3-4 years old)

The Awarua Room is a welcoming space where tamariki can follow their curiosity, explore their interests and discover more about the world around them. Our kaiako support children to become increasingly independent and confident, both through indoor learning experiences and active outdoor play.

Curiosity-led learning: Children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate and explore their interests through meaningful play and hands-on experiences.
Growing independence: Kaiako support tamariki to make choices, try new things and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Tuakana-teina: Our Awarua and Rereoa Rooms provide opportunities for older tamariki to support and learn alongside younger children, building positive relationships, leadership skills and a sense of responsibility.
Learning indoors and out: Children can extend their learning across both environments, giving them plenty of opportunities to explore, move and discover at their own pace.

Awarua is a place where children can follow their curiosity, grow in confidence and learn the value of supporting and learning alongside others.

Rereroa Room (4-5 years old)

The Rereoa Room supports our older tamariki as they become increasingly confident, independent and ready for their next big adventure at school. Children are encouraged to problem-solve, communicate their ideas and take considered risks as they develop the skills they need for this important stage of learning.

Set for School: Our programme supports tamariki to build the early literacy, numeracy, social and independence skills they need to feel confident and prepared for their transition to primary school. Our strong relationships with local schools help make this transition a positive one.
Growing independence: Children are encouraged to take responsibility, make choices and develop practical skills that support them both at BestStart and as they prepare for school.
Learning through challenge: Problem-solving, communication and opportunities to take considered risks help tamariki develop resilience, confidence and a positive approach to new experiences.
Tuakana-teina: Older children have opportunities to support younger tamariki alongside the Awarua Room, developing leadership, empathy and a sense of responsibility while learning from one another.

Rereoa gives tamariki the confidence to take on new challenges, the independence to believe in themselves and the skills to make a positive start at school.

Contact UsWe would love to hear from you

Book a visit Enquire now

What we are proud of News & Events