BestStart Welcome Bay

BestStart Welcome Bay is located on the main road in and out of Welcome Bay. We care for children from 3 months to 5 years old. We're open from 7.30am to 5.30pm right through the year and offer a range of part-time, full time and sessional childcare options to suit our families needs.

Cherishing our connections!

As you step in the door at Beststart Welcome Bay, you will feel strong connections, a sense of belonging and warm welcoming interactions. Our team are committed to building meaningful relationships which are genuine, trusting and respectful. We have created an environment that values whanaungatanga, where collaboration and open and honest communication drive our daily practice. Staff interact with parents, whanau and the wider community to create learning opportunities that link to individual aspirations and values. Our strong family connections support us to focus on the child as an individual, understanding each and every one on a deeper level and creating an environment which is a home away from home.

We have a beautiful centre next to the estuary in Welcome Bay which provides a nature feel to the environment and a source of learning for all. The children are fascinated by the range of birds and insects that appear from the bush allowing for lots of in-depth discussions and questions.

We have a team of passionate, fun and experienced teachers who love providing rich learning opportunities for all and a home like environment filled with aroha and manaakitanga. We believe in learning through play, and encourage resourcefulness and critical thinking by providing open-ended resources and activities.

Our centre provides nutritious morning and afternoon teas as well as lunch every day and can cater to any dietary requirements. We promote and encourage good self-care through healthy eating practices and physical activity.

We have two age-based rooms that encourage independence, responsibility, respect and a natural curiosity.

The Koru Room is for children up to 2.5 years. This room is named after the symbol for new life, strength, growth and peace. All these traits are evident in every moment of our young children’s daily life. We follow home routines very closely and offer a respectful and kind environment to build relationships with children based on the foundations of tender care moments, free movement and self-guided learning. We let your child lead the way and respond to their cues. Every teacher in this room loves giving children the opportunity to discover the world around them through objects and items that have multiple purposes.

The Pohutukawa Room is for children from the age of 2.5 through to school. The Pohutukawa tree is a symbol of strength, resilience and beauty. In this room we provide rich, open ended activities to challenge our children to investigate the world around them. We help grow strength and resilience in children and support them to see beauty in all aspects of life. Children are supported to Be School Ready through everyday activities and guidance through transitions. This sets children up with the foundations to become kind, caring, life long learners.

We strive to embrace, celebrate, respect and support all cultural diversities within our community. We'd love for you Come join in on the fun, laughter and aroha!