BestStart West Melton
BestStart is one of NZ's leading early childcare providers. BestStart West Melton in the Preston Downs subdivision provides affordable, high quality education and award winning childcare for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
At BestStart West Melton, people are at the heart of everything we do!
Our values; manaakitanga - a place of welcome and belonging for all, whānaungatanga - positive respectful relationships, ako - learning alongside each other and kaitiakitanga - respecting and caring for our environment, can be seen throughout our centre in all that we do. Kaiako at BestStart West Melton are partners in learning, with tamariki, whānau and our community. We use a combination of intentional teaching and child lead experiences. Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed, well resourced, inviting, engaging and spacious learning environments. They provide tamariki room to explore, create and engage in a range of activities and experiences.
At BestStart West Melton, we believe that our kaiako are our most valuable asset. We truly care about our team, who make BestStart West Melton, the special place that it is. We are committed to staffing our centre with qualified, passionate and caring people who believe and enact our vision, values and philosophy. Kaiako at BestStart West Melton are partners in learning for tamariki, whānau and our community.
Our Team
At BestStart West Melton, we believe that our kaiako are our most valuable asset. We truly care about our team, who make BestStart West Melton, the special place that it is. We are committed to staffing our centre with qualified, passionate and caring people who believe and enact our vision, values and philosophy. All of our dynamic team participate in on-going professional development, to ensure that we continue to provide the very best in care and education. As educators we are on a lifelong journey and continued reflection on our practice is a vital part of our pedagogy at BestStart West Melton.
What We Offer
- 20 hours free for 3-5 year olds and WINZ subsidies available* if required
- Experienced tight-knit team of passionate teachers
- Get Set for School Programme
Our Spaces
At BestStart West Melton, we believe our role is to fill our community with sustenance and prepare all those that come here, for their next journey in life.
In the past this area and land was used as a Mahinga kai kāinga/pa – a settlement and food gathering site. People would travel here then rest and refuel before heading off for the next journey.
There are 3 local pūrākau/stories that show us what happened here before, ‘Taniwha and the Rakaia Gorge’, ‘Ruru and the Giant Pouākai’ and ‘The Creation of Tuna’. In these stories the tūpuna (ancestors) play important roles in caring for their community and environment, they show courage and bravery and more often than not, they have to work together to achieve their positive outcomes. Many of these similarities can be seen throughout our centre and in our values, beliefs and philosophy.
In the future, we want for this special place to continue to be a place where people come, feel safe, are nurtured, learn and fuel themselves for their next journey, that way, we know that our legacy continues.
