BestStart Te Awamutu

BestStart Te Awamutu early learning centre is open weekdays from 7.30am to 5.30pm, only closing for public holidays. We have two specialised learning areas to support the changing developmental needs of our tamariki as they grow as well as a project room for indepth inquiry learning.

Nurturing the seeds of our community

We nurture our community’s youngest, supporting them in their growth and allowing each child to blossom in their own unique way. Children learn through exploration, alongside each other and within the community.

Here at BestStart Te Awamutu you will find a welcoming, warm atmosphere where whānau and the community play an important part in centre life. We love to celebrate all the cultures and acknowledge their importance. From Matariki celebrations to movie nights, visits from our local police to exploring at the park, we never miss an opportunity to make connections that help our children grow strong and proud of who they are and where they are from.

Our tamariki are nurtured as they make connections and establish their roots, getting ready for learning. In partnership with whānau, we tend to their needs, embracing their uniqueness and the diversity they bring. Our families have so much to offer and we embrace their skills and wisdom, incorporating their insights and knowledge into our learning programme.

Community connections - We make connections with local community groups, landmarks and schools.  We venture into our local community, absorbing the abundance of learning opportunities sprinkled throughout our town. We learn about our local people and places such as Ueneku at the museum, the famous Te Awamutu rose gardens, the Walk of Fame, as well as our local maunga and awa. Our tamariki are interested in the world around them and curious to learn more. They develop their confidence when out and about, seeing Te Awamutu as their place. 

Supporting each other - Our new community room is a place for community events such as parent workshops, playgroups as well as providing a quiet place to connect with our families. We have a special relationship with our local Plunket Services where we share parenting information and support local families.  As a centre we support community groups and charities, so tamariki learn the pleasure of giving back.

Our great outdoors - We have a fantastic newly renovated outdoor area that our tamariki just love. Not only is it a place to have fun, it is also very important for physical development and growing minds to discover more every day. Our tamariki actively explore their new playground with more open space to play. They enjoy the natural space, as they climb, balance, explore and support one another.  With the addition of our new water play feature, our tamariki are empowered to extend their learning as they embark on scientific investigation within the sandpit and surrounding area.  These open-ended opportunities enable tamariki to explore their working theories and create their own understandings of the world around them.

Ready for school - Preparing our tamariki for school is as important to us as it is to our families. Our connections with local schools and our Be School Ready initiative helps to prepare our tamariki for this next step. We have parent information evenings, information on local schools and visit the primary schools to make sure everyone feels confident when beginning the next stage in the learning journey.

Proud of who we are - Our tamariki love where they're from and really want to add value to our small town of Te Awamutu. We embrace our culture, the land and what it really means to be part of our Te Awamutu community.

Learning areas - In our vibrant rooms our tamariki are empowered in their learning.  As they grow, they reach for the sun, making discoveries and develop their ideas about life and their place in the world. We have 2 specialised learning areas to support the changing developmental needs of our tamariki as they grow. We also have a separate project room which gives us the space and freedom for in-depth investigation to support our tamariki as they prepare for school. 

When our tamariki leave for the next stage of their learning journey they are strong, kind and connected. They know they are valued and have an understanding of the wider world and the important role they have in it. They are proud to be a part of our wonderful community.

Who is BestStart?

BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds.

Together we teach, learn and nurture.

Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.

Ko tō mātou tirohanga hei mahi ngātahi i te taha o ngā whānau me ngā hāpori, kia āwhinatia ngā tamariki, kia tū pito mata ai rāatou, hei rangatira mō āpōpō.

We are committed to being a progressive and responsive leader in early-childhood education. We do this by enhancing our services, investing in our people, developing our support structure and continuously improving the educational outcomes and experiences of our children, families and the communities we serve.

Some facts:

• We’re licensed to educate and care for 15,000 full-time children daily.
• 18,000 families use BestStart services annually.
• We have over 270 centres nationwide located from Whangarei to Invercargill.
• Each centre is managed by a Centre Manager who is supported by a local Area Manager. This gives our centre teams ongoing quality training and support.
• Te Whāriki, the world-wide acclaimed national early childhood education curriculum, is used in all centres.
• We have over 4500 permanent teachers nationally. Over 90% of our permanent teaching staff are either fully qualified with a diploma or bachelor of teaching (ECE) or higher, or are in training. These figures are very high by national standards within the ECE sector.
• We provide a two-year Advice and Guidance Programme for all recently certified teachers, providing further mentoring and training. This gives strong support for teachers from provisional registration to full teacher registration with the NZ Teachers Council.
• We regularly spend around $4 million on teacher training per annum.

We’re for children

At our heart is our commitment and passion for children. Central to this belief is our focus on the holistic development of children. We support children to explore the world around them, learning through relationships, creating a love of learning in an ever-changing world. Exploration, friendship and fun are part of the journey.

We’re for good

BestStart is a registered charity owned by the Wright Family Foundation. We support initiatives and programmes within BestStart and the wider early-childhood education sector (ECE) that support good outcomes for all children. We do this because we want to make a positive difference to the lives of all children.

Innovation leads us

At BestStart, innovation guides our thinking. We advocate positive change for learners through our research and practice. We’re proud to be thought leaders within ECE, openly challenging ourselves to think differently to provide the best for our children, families and staff.

We’re responsive

Our centres reflect their children, staff and communities. We celebrate individuality, uniqueness and diversity, encouraging a spirit of empathy, understanding and collaboration. Through our responsive relationships and our curriculum, we support learners to choose their own path.

Our people matter

At BestStart people come first. When we grow and develop our people, everyone benefits. We strive for whakamana/empowerment, nurturing a culture of excellence with engaged, talented professionals. Their commitment, skill and passion light our way.