BestStart Montessori Taradale

BestStart Montessori Taradale welcome children aged 1 to 6 years old and we're open all year, only closing for public holidays. Our enjoy a wonderful stimulating programme that values independence, promotes high self esteem and develops social skills and consideration for others. Our Montessori environment supports each child’s individual potential and interests.

Peaceful Guardianship

Nestled in between Napier and Hastings on a large quiet back section, BestStart Montessori Taradale has been caring for and educating children from 12 months to 6 years old for 9 years. We have two casas – Casa di Amici for our younger children where they will be welcomed with aroha and kindness, and Casa della Vita for our older children, where specialised Montessori teachers welcome your child to a world of learning possibilities.

Our teachers model respect, courtesy and peace, in a warm, cheerful environment. They work with your child/children individually and in groups with exciting specialised equipment that leads the child to self discovery.

The quality of the learning environment is very important to us. When children find themselves in environments that are beautiful, soothing, full of wonder and discovery, they feel intrigued, respected, and eager to spend their days living and learning here.  Plants, soft lighting and quiet background music along with lovely natural environments all help to create a homely and nurturing atmosphere.

We are able to offer children amazing natural outdoor environments where they can explore plants, study bugs and insects, feed the chickens and rabbits, tend to the extensive vegetable garden, swing under the big tree, and of course, have room to run and play. Our outdoor environments are unique and unmatched in the early childhood community.

We also offer children healthy vegetarian meals prepared with fresh Hawkes Bay produce right here in our own kitchen.

The Montessori philosophy advocates the holistic development of the child. It is based on a belief in the child’s innate potential. Montessori education from the earliest years will prepare your child for life by encouraging:

• independence
• concentration
• coordination
• self esteem
• inner motivation
• respect for each other
• respect for their environment
• a love of learning

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.