Childcare options in Terrace End

In our programme, children are mostly free to choose what they will work on and the routines they are involved in are respectful and gentle, taking the child's emotions and well being into account. We are supportive of transition times, when children are arriving or leaving, as some find this quite hard from time to time.

We offer snacks and lunchtime for extended periods so that children can choose when they feel ready to eat.  Toileting is a matter of reminders rather than a 'must do now'.  Sleep time happens if a parent requests it and the child is willing (although we do make having a sleep/rest a very peaceful experience).

We encourage children to respect the rights and needs of other people through role modelling between teachers and with children.  We have our own special way of speaking and acting positively with children to help them manage their emotions and act in ways that do not hurt themselves or others.

We are very fortunate to have a large outside environment that provides space for children to be alone or work with others.  Changes happen frequently in this area in accordance with children's interests and the teachers' enthusiasms but a feature always are our gardens.  We believe that all of us have an entitlement to work and play in a pleasant environment.

At Tui  we value children’s interests, strengths and abilities. We recognize young children’s need to develop their abilities to become independent and their desire to begin to guide their own learning experiences and outcomes. To achieve this we include a variety of free play and planned events within the routine of the Tui day.

Young children are seeking some independence and control over aspects of their lives. They are beginning to realise and practice their skills, interests and abilities. A learning journey may be initiated through the interests of the child, a peer or group, a teacher, or by a resource or question. Independence in the eating, sleeping and toileting routines are also ways in which children are provided with an appropriate opportunity for decision making.

BestStart Russell Street is a high quality education and childcare centre open right through the year with a range of booking hours available to suit the needs of our families.

Ready for School, Ready for Life

Our dedicated teachers are committed to the development and growth of every child. At BestStart Russell Street, your child will become ready for school and ready for life! 

Our teachers have initiated a meaningful curriculum that will develop your child’s skills and attitudes for life-long learning.  We have a strong focus on the areas of literacy, numeracy, science and physical education and through these subjects your child learns how to take on responsibility, be independent, and develop meaningful and reciprocal relationships with others.

Each room is uniquely focused on the age and stage of each child within the room. Our environments are aimed at encouraging and extending children’s learning, development and current interests. We nurture your child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development while providing a fun and enjoyable atmosphere.

At BestStart Russell Street we practice whaanaungatanga – a relationship through shared experiences and working together which gives everyone a sense of belonging. We provide a space for your child to be a child where they can run freely in our amazing outside space, get physical, socialize with others and have fun. We work towards creating trust and respect so that your child can grow to be the best they possibly can and to develop to their full potential.

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.

Ngā Rito o Te Puawaitanga Early Childhood Centre is situated in Palmerston North. It is adjacent to the Whakatipuria Teen Parent Unit and attached to Freyberg High School.

The centre's philosophy emphasises whanaungatanga and manaakitanga and supporting whānau to learn and grow together.

We are a long-established, friendly Playcentre located in front of Ruamahunga Park and the Manawatu River. These both provide us with wonderful opportunities for excursions and exploration in our community.

Our mokopuna relish in holistic learning experiences that enrich their understanding of the world around them. They are able to do this within a safe environment alongside their whanau.

Our mokopuna love to learn and play using all types of sensory mediums, including dry, wet, messy and mucky; through to real ‘Process Cooking’ which combines their practice through play medium into the practical, tangible and edible! We have an extensive range of resources, both inside and out, and a fabulous landscape with established trees, a steep hill to navigate and of course a sandpit, climbing structures, carpentry, swings and vege patch.

Terrace End Playcentre offers the first term free so you and your whanau can decide whether Terrace End Playcentre is the place for you.

We hope to meet you soon!

Welcome to Parkland Kindergarten Where lifelong skills and a love of learning are promoted and celebrated. Our teachers understand the value of play, providing interesting opportunities for children to set their own goals, work through challenges and experience a sensFor tamariki, Ruahine Parkland Kindergarten is a second home, a place where they are loved and treasured for who they are, and where they become lifelong learners.

Our philosophy is based on aroha and nurturing tamariki to learn through play.  We provide fun and interesting opportunities for children to set their own goals, work through challenges and experience a sense of achievement.   

Learning to be resilient and capable is hugely beneficial for children and our amazing, natural and spacious environment provides challenging and rewarding opportunities for children to play, explore. strengthen gross motor skills and take risks. 

We are a Silver Enviroschool where children learn to care for our animals and gardens, harvest and cook, recycle and compost. This is kaitiakitanga, when children learn how to become responsible future citizens.

Situated on Parkland School, our kindergarten children benefit from this relationship through our buddy class, participating in school events, daily contact with siblings and friends, and visits to and from new entrant classes.  

Relationships with our wider community are equally important, and tamariki enjoy our close connection with Brightwater rest home, local walks and involvement in community events. 

Ruahine Parkland Kindergarten is open Monday to Friday, 8.45am - 2.45pm, and closed over the Christmas and New Year break, as well as three weeks during the year when teachers are engaged in professional development (dates to be advised on enrolment).

Three, four and five year old's may attend our kindergarten up to 30 hours a week at no charge, a fee of $2.50 (inclusive of GST) is in place for tamariki under 3 years of age. e of achievement.  Situated on Parkland School grounds allows us to attend school activities, including junior assemblies and sports days. We also take children on school visits and welcome visits from new entrant classes, teachers and the principal.  We are licensed for 45 children and our spacious, natural outdoor area provides challenging and rewarding opportunities for children to play, explore and strengthen gross motor skills. We invite you and your child to join us as we learn, grow and have fun together.