Your baby’s wellbeing, emotional security and development are at the heart of everything we do. We create safe, nurturing environments through responsive relationships, careful supervision, established health and safety practices and routines that support each baby’s individual needs.
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Every child settles differently. Our teachers respond with patience, comfort and consistency, helping children feel safe, secure and supported as they adjust to childcare.
Children's language skills develop through conversations, storytelling, play and meaningful interactions with the people around them. As children grow, they build vocabulary, confidence and communication skills that help them express ideas, ask questions and connect with others.
Children learn best when they feel safe, secure and supported. Creating a safe childcare environment involves careful supervision, age-appropriate learning spaces and clear health and safety practices that support children's wellbeing and development.
Settling visits are short visits before your child’s official start date that help them become familiar with their new childcare environment. Settling visits give children the opportunity to meet teachers, explore the space and begin adjusting to new routines alongside a parent or caregiver.
Some children take longer to adjust to childcare than others, and that's completely okay. We'll work closely with you to support your child's individual settling journey and help them build confidence at their own pace.
There isn't one "best" age for every child to start childcare. The right time depends on your family's needs, your child's personality and temperament, and when they are ready to begin building new relationships and routines.
Yes. We aim to follow your baby's home routine as closely as possible, helping them experience consistency between home and childcare while they settle and grow.
It's completely normal for babies to need time to adjust to childcare. Our teachers provide extra comfort, reassurance and responsive care to help your baby feel safe as they settle into new routines and relationships.
Yes. We encourage parents and caregivers to stay with their child during settling visits so you can both become familiar with the childcare environment, teachers and daily routines.
Every baby settles differently. Our teachers respond with patience, comfort and consistency, helping babies feel safe, secure and supported as they adjust to childcare.
Every child settles into childcare at their own pace. Some children feel comfortable within a few weeks, while others need longer to adjust to new people, routines and surroundings.
Preparing your child for their first day of childcare is about helping them become familiar with a new environment before they start attending regularly. Familiar people, routines and comfort items can help make the transition smoother for both children and parents.
Yes. Comfort items such as a favourite blanket, soft toy or family photo can help children feel more secure when they are adjusting to childcare. Familiar objects provide reassurance and can support emotional wellbeing during times of change.
Teacher-to-baby ratios refer to the number of children each teacher is responsible for at one time. Smaller ratios allow teachers to provide more individual attention, respond to children's needs more quickly and build strong, consistent relationships with each child.
Yes. Qualified early childhood teachers have specialised knowledge of child development, learning and wellbeing, including the unique needs of babies and infants. Ongoing professional learning also helps teachers stay up to date with current early childhood education practice.
A qualified early childhood teacher has completed a recognised teaching qualification and is registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Many childcare centres use a primary caregiving approach, where one teacher takes primary responsibility for building a close, consistent relationship with a baby and supporting much of their daily care. This approach can help babies feel secure and develop trust as they become familiar with the people caring for them.
Strong bonds with babies are built through consistent, responsive interactions that help babies feel safe, understood and secure. When caregivers respond to a baby's cues and needs in a predictable and caring way, babies develop trust and a sense of belonging.
We share regular updates so families know how their child is learning and settling throughout the day. Ongoing communication between families and teachers helps ensure children receive consistent care and support between home and childcare.
Families play an important role in a child's early childhood education. Children benefit when parents, whānau and teachers work together to support learning, development and wellbeing, both at home and in the childcare environment.
Strong parent-teacher relationships are built on trust, communication and shared understanding. When families and teachers work together, children benefit from more consistent support across home and childcare, helping them feel secure and supported in their learning and development.
Consistency of care means your baby experiences familiar routines, responsive care and predictable interactions each day. Consistent care helps babies feel secure, build trusting relationships and develop confidence in their childcare environment.
Yes. Meeting your child's teachers before they start childcare can help build familiarity, trust and confidence for both you and your child. Early introductions also give families an opportunity to share important information about their child's routines, preferences and care needs.
Yes. We aim to follow your baby's established sleep routine as closely as possible while they are in our care. Consistent sleep routines can help babies feel secure, well rested and more settled throughout the day.
Babies are able to sleep when they need to, rather than at set group sleep times. Following individual sleep cues helps ensure babies get the rest they need and supports their wellbeing, development and daily routine.
We support breastmilk, formula and bottle feeding by following each baby's individual feeding routine as closely as possible. Consistent feeding practices help babies feel comfortable and provide continuity between home and childcare.
It is not uncommon for babies to refuse a bottle from time to time, particularly during periods of change, development or adjustment to childcare. When this happens, it is important to respond calmly and follow the baby's cues rather than forcing a feed.
Yes. We support both baby-led weaning and spoon-feeding approaches, depending on your family's preferences and your baby's stage of development. Introducing solids is an important milestone, and feeding approaches can vary from one family to another.
Nappies are changed regularly throughout the day and whenever they are wet or soiled. Frequent nappy changes help keep babies comfortable, support skin health and ensure individual care needs are met.
Nappy changing is carried out by trained teaching staff who follow established hygiene and care procedures. Nappy changes are an important part of daily care and should be carried out in a way that keeps children clean, comfortable and treated with dignity.
We support toilet training by working closely with families and following each child's individual readiness, routine and pace. Toilet training is a developmental milestone, and children are most successful when they feel confident, supported and ready to take the next step.
Children's safety depends on a well-maintained environment, careful supervision and clear health and safety practices. Identifying and managing potential hazards helps create a space where babies can explore, learn and develop safely.
If your baby becomes unwell while at childcare, teachers will provide immediate care, closely monitor their condition and contact you if they need to be collected. Responding promptly to illness helps ensure children receive the care and support they need while reducing the spread of infection to others.
Our childcare centres help prevent the spread of illness through good hygiene practices, regular cleaning and clear illness policies. These measures reduce the risk of germs spreading between children and help create a healthier environment for everyone.
Yes. Medication can be administered to your child when parents or caregivers have provided written authorisation and clear instructions. Following established medication procedures helps ensure medicines are given safely and accurately.
Children with allergies or medical conditions can safely attend childcare when appropriate plans, procedures and communication are in place. Effective management involves understanding each child's individual health needs, reducing potential risks and ensuring staff know how to respond if support is required.
It depends on the centre and learning environment. Some childcare centres have dedicated infant rooms, while others offer mixed-age settings where babies and older children spend time together under close supervision.
Yes. Childcare centres are designed to provide safe environments for babies and young children. Creating a baby-safe environment involves identifying potential hazards, using age-appropriate equipment and taking steps to reduce risks while supporting children's exploration and learning.
Outdoor play areas are kept safe through regular inspections, appropriate supervision and ongoing maintenance. A safe outdoor environment allows children to explore, be active and develop physical skills while reducing the risk of injury.
Yes. Safe sleep environments are designed to reduce risks, support children's wellbeing and allow teachers to closely monitor children while they rest. Safe sleep practices are an important part of infant and toddler care in early childhood education.
We support children's health and development by providing nutritious food and helping children build positive eating habits. Healthy eating in the early years supports growth, learning and overall wellbeing.
We work closely with families to support each child's dietary needs, allergies and cultural food preferences. Respecting family food practices helps children feel included, supported and confident at mealtimes.
At BestStart, all staff undergo the required safety checks before working with children. Centres follow established security procedures, including managing visitor access and maintaining clear records of who is on site. These processes help ensure children are cared for by trusted adults and remain safe while attending our centres.
Babies learn from the moment they are born through play, everyday experiences and responsive relationships. During the first years of life, babies develop communication skills, physical abilities, social and emotional skills, confidence and an understanding of the world around them.
Babies learn through play, exploration and responsive relationships with the people around them. Every interaction and experience helps babies make sense of the world, develop new skills and build confidence in their abilities.
A baby's first year is a period of rapid growth and development. During this time, babies build important foundations for communication, movement, relationships, learning and wellbeing through everyday interactions and experiences.
We support tummy time, movement and exploration by providing safe opportunities for babies to practise new skills at their own pace. Movement plays an important role in early development, helping babies build strength, coordination, confidence and an understanding of the world around them.
Babies develop language through everyday interactions, conversations and responsive relationships with the people around them. Long before they speak their first words, babies are listening, observing, understanding and learning how to communicate.
Every baby develops at their own pace, and developmental milestones are intended to be guides rather than strict timelines. The best way to support development is by providing opportunities for babies to practice new skills through play, exploration and responsive relationships.
Every baby learns and develops in their own way. Supporting different learning needs means understanding each child's strengths, interests, abilities and areas where they may benefit from additional support, so they can participate confidently in everyday learning experiences.
A typical day for a baby includes a balance of play, rest, feeding, care routines and responsive interactions that support learning and development. Rather than following a strict timetable, most babies follow routines that reflect their individual needs, rhythms and stage of development.
We respond to children's behaviour using positive guidance, caring relationships and developmentally appropriate support. For babies and young children, behaviour is often a form of communication and can reflect feelings, needs or frustrations that they are not yet able to express in words.
No. Babies learn best through play, movement, exploration and responsive relationships rather than screen-based activities. During the early years, hands-on experiences help babies develop communication skills, physical abilities, social connections and an understanding of the world around them.
Babies learn through exploration, movement and play, so it is important that learning environments are both engaging and safe. Safe exploration allows babies to build confidence, develop new skills and learn about the world around them while being appropriately supported and supervised.
BestStart uses a play-based learning approach supported by caring relationships and intentional teaching. Our approach is guided by Te Whāriki, New Zealand's early childhood curriculum, and focuses on helping children learn through play, exploration and meaningful everyday experiences.
Learning at BestStart combines play-based learning, caring relationships and intentional teaching to support each child's individual development. Our approach recognises that children learn in different ways and at different rates, so learning experiences are tailored to their interests, strengths and stage of development.
Intentional teaching means teachers thoughtfully plan and respond to children's learning, helping to make the most of every opportunity for learning and growth. It involves recognising how set ups for play will support development, extend thinking and build new skills through everyday experiences, play and interactions.
Different early childhood philosophies support children's learning and development in different ways. While each approach has its own focus, all aim to help children build confidence, develop new skills and foster a love of learning.