BestStart Wattle Downs

Green hands
Loose Parts Play 2
Loose Parts Play
Colored Paint
Sand Play
2 Toddlers
Construction hats
Reading
Crayons
Smiling toddler
BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart Wattle Downs, in Manurewa, provides affordable, high-quality education and award-winning childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

At BestStart Wattle Downs, tamariki are at the heart of what we do!

We are proud of our strong partnerships with parents, whānau, and the wider community. We believe it is important to have a strong connection between home and centre and that we support each other so that children can achieve positive learning and growth. We understand and support the aspirations of whaanau (families), which play an essential role in their tamaiti (child) learning and development. We work closely with all families to achieve this together.

We celebrate each child's unique identity, language, and culture through various awareness days, festivals, and events. We focus a lot of our curriculum on "Learning through Play!" empowering children and supporting them in making their own choices as they build their social skills.

We offer a free pickup and drop-off service, which is available for families who need it. Your child's safety is our top priority. Our vans are fitted with safety-approved car seats, and Wendy, our experienced and reliable driver, takes excellent care of all children on board.

Our Team

Our teaching team is skilled in providing an environment with learning experiences conducive to the age and stage our children are at and that reflect their strengths and interests. We are committed to supporting the growth of our great teachers and providing opportunities for regular professional development.

What We Offer

  • Fresh, healthy, nutritious meals and snacks provided throughout the day 
  • Regular excursions into our community
  • Supportive transitions into and throughout the centre
  • Settling visits
  • 20 hours free for 3-5-year-olds and WINZ subsidies available* if required
  • An experienced tight-knit team of passionate teachers
  • Free pick up and drop off service available

Our Spaces

We welcome children aged 3 months to 6 years and operate across two buildings.

Little Tuis / Infant Room

3 months - 2.5 years

Pukeko / Preschool Room

2.5 years - 6 years

Video Gallery

Quality Service Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

I feel confident and assured that my son is in safe and loving care due to the relationship I have built with the staff. I feel the staff are genuinely caring, well trained and honest.

Parent

I was pleased to learn about my child’s development through personal discussions. I was able to see how pleased his teacher was with my child. It is great to see the variety of exercises that he has experienced. All with great learning value! Every page has a great story of his personal development and having lots of photos helps us parents to feel and witness what our child is doing during school hours!

Pam Izett

Best Start Wattle Downs has been absolutely amazing with our little lady. From before she was enrolled, and we were doing visits, I felt both our daughter and I were very welcome by the team. The centre is bright and tidy (as much as possible with kids) and the team members in the preschool and infant room are friendly and welcoming. Seeing how the team in the infant room responded to the kids as well as got down to their level to play and be involved really sold me on sending our daughter there. She has fully settled in now and is always in a happy mood when she’s picked up.

What we're proud of

Read our latest ERO report Read our latest ERO report e-portfolio e-portfolio We have a Healthy Heart Award We have a Healthy Heart Award 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

"Salamat!" from BestStart Wattle Downs

At BestStart Wattle Downs, we celebrated the Filipino language and learned some phrases to celebrate uniqueness and diversity.

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Children are at the centre of all we do!

We strive to build a strong relationship with the parents and whanau that inspires us to do our very best when we work together to provide learning and well-being for our young ones.

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