Childcare options in Welcome Bay

BestStart Bay Kindy is located on Welcome Bay Road, just a short distance away from Welcome Bay School and a 5 minute walk to the local parks. We care for children aged 2-6 and are open all year round from 8.00am to 4.30pm.

Ready for Learning, Ready for Life

At BestStart Bay Kindy we love the learning that happens together, as one centre whanau. When we work together children feel the support and confidence to push their boundaries and expand their horizons. Ready to take on the world!

Our centre is designed to bring out the very best in our children. We have a beautiful, natural environment and well-established gardens our children just love exploring. Our warm and nurturing centre provides the perfect environment for children to flourish and gives them a chance to explore and discover. 

Freedom to choose - We set up open activities that invite curiosity, exploration and discovery. Our children are empowered to make choices, following their interests and leading their own learning, supported by our skilled teaching team who extend and enhance learning. We provide lots of different opportunities for children to be creative with open ended areas of play.

We have real life materials so children experience an environment which extends and connects their experiences from home. We encourage healthy eating, plastic free lunchboxes and use wet bags instead of plastic bags. This supports the wellbeing of our children and helps to develop an understanding and appreciation of caring for the environment.

Working together - At BestStart Bay Kindy we respect each child as an individual, part of their family, the centre family and the wider community. Because of this we value learning together as one whanau. Our skilled teaching team have great relationships with families and the wider community. We develop an understanding of each child and create individual learning plans to engage and inspire. We think outside the box to create fun and exciting learning opportunities for all of our children.

Our family-friendly centre has a blended learning environment that encourages and supports tuakana-teina relationships, where children of all ages learn and gain skills from each other. We also have regular excursions and participate in our local community events. This helps children to understand the wider world and develop their confidence in it, creating a sense of belonging. 

Ready for school - We have a great relationship with our local primary school and participate in their weekly transition to school programme Kickstart. Our children build relationships with their teachers and future classmates, supporting their social and emotional wellbeing and developing positive approaches to learning. Combined with our be School Ready initiative, which focuses on numeracy, literacy, social competency, problem solving, building confidence, independence and tuakana-teina relationships, children leave us full of confidence to take on the next stage of their learning journey.

Amazing playground - Our playground is just like a backyard but way more fun! Full of specialised equipment and places to explore, our outdoor area supports children to gain confidence and control of their bodies through the challenges they undertake. Children develop their knowledge about how to keep physically fit, healthy and active, while having fun.

We welcome you to come and visit us at our wonderful centre. We look forward to meeting you and your child and showing you all we have to offer.

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.

Welcome Bay Kindergarten

A big heart and a warm welcome

Experience a Welcome Bay Kindergarten welcome! Walk through our doors to join in the fun, laughter and aroha!

Our very special whare was built by our local community, who are the heart of our kindergarten. Together we cultivate a place where tamariki are cherished. Our 100% degree-qualified teachers are enthusiastic educators who encourage each child's unique identity and confidence with aroha (love), manaaki (respect) and awhina (support).

Your tamariki will love our extra large, outdoor nature-orientated play areas with plenty of space to play, explore and imagine. We're a proud Green-Gold EnviroKindergarten - encouraging children to discover and learn about the amazing world of nature!

What makes our kindergarten special?

• Beautiful outdoor spaces that inspire children to connect with nature
• Friendly, qualified staff who are passionate about teaching and learning
• We are an Enviroschool Green Gold kindergarten
• We have an involved and supportive community
• Our whakatauki: Mahia nga mahi o nga tamariki hei apopo ka tu hei rangatira

Thinking about Home Based childcare with Home Grown Kids?

All of our Educators are carefully selected and screened including Police Vetting, identity checks, an interview that assess their attitudes and values toward children and an overall assessment of risk.

Enquire today and we’ll be in touch with you soon to provide the perfect option for your family.

Choosing the Best Educator for Your Child

We stand strong alongside our Educators. We care about them and we’re committed to the work they do, supporting and communicating with them every step of the way. We understand that engaged, fulfilled Educators make for happy families and even happier tamariki who thrive in these small group settings.

Small Group Setting

Our Home Based childcare groups are capped at a maximum of four children under the age of six, including Educators’ own children. This means we can offer each child the individual attention they need to flourish.

The best fit for your whānau values

Our Educators offer a range of different programmes based around their beliefs, values, culture, background and philosophies. Over 90% of our Educators hold a recognised ECE qualification. Some of our Educators are mothers and grandmothers with fantastic life skills, experience and knowledge. We’ll listen to your needs and then offer, where possible, a range of Educators. You will get to choose an Educator that you and your whānau connect with and trust.

Exceeding educational standards

An education programme that reflects New Zealand ECE curriculum - Te Whāriki. We are a Ministry of Education approved and licensed Early Childhood Education provider. Regularly reviewed by the

Education Review Office to ensure all our Home Based environments not only meet, but exceed the Ministry of Education’s Licensing Criteria for Home-based Services (2008).

Subsidies available

We’re an approved Work and Income provider and can support you to access a childcare subsidy if you are eligible.

20 hours ECE scheme

The Government subsidises all children aged 3-5 years (or 6 if not enrolled in school) who attend an ECE facility, making access more affordable for all.

Leaders in development practices for each child

All our Educators are supported and guided by our Visiting Teachers who are Qualified certificated ECE teachers with many years’ experience and expertise in early childhood education. Our Visiting Teachers regularly attend professional development to keep up-to-date with current research and theory for best practice for Education and care for under fives.

Our philosophy, vision and mission

• Our Vision– The why – The reason we exist:

To provide a family friendly wrap around support service that enables all tamariki/whanau to learn, grow and thrive in a home-based setting. Investing in cultivating kindness, strong and professional relationships, in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners

• Mission Statement – The How -How are we going to achieve the Vision?

We will achieve our Vision through ensuring that every team member is emotionally invested in the well-being of our people including tamariki, whanau, Educators, communities and our Edubase family. We value successes and that these are not ours alone, the greatest success comes from the strengths of many. Our passion, knowledge and commitment will be the catalyst that enables everyone to learn, thrive and achieve.

• Philosophy Statement

Edubase is a Home Based Early Childhood Education service that is committed to providing nurturing learning environments where tamariki thrive as individuals through an authentic play-based, natural learning education and care programme, in a home setting.

To enrich the learning of each tamariki we form strong community connections, developing links within the home and the learning environments of our Kaiako. Tamariki learn respect for people, places and things, shaping Aotearoa and developing an appreciation of New Zealand’s dual heritage. We continually strive to develop knowledge and an understanding of the cultural heritages of both partners to Te Tiriti o Waitangi – supporting a holistic approach to learning which is guided by our NZ Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki.

Educators and Nannies offer comfortable, small group sizes, fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships, promoting tikanga Māori within their practice.

As an Organisation, we pride ourselves on cultivating strong, professional relationships, strengthening capability in all our people to continue growing as lifelong learners.

Edubase celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of each tamaiti, whanau and Kaiako and the gifts they bring. They are taonga, a treasure or gift. All things cultural are affirmed and celebrated, aiming to support children in gaining a positive awareness of their own and other cultures.

Tiaki nga tamariki – take care of the children

Creating Lifelong Learners

Tamariki natural curiosity is the foundation for exploration and growth. They explore to make sense of the world, develop and have fun. Tamariki start their lives by exploring the world around them. They learn through everything they see, touch, hear, smell, taste and do.

Through play, nga tamariki engage in active learning and exploration. They learn more about their interests and about the world. Most importantly, they learn how to adapt to a changing world. Play helps us remain creative and provokes our imagination.

Our People

Our team at Kids at Home is a dedicated team of individuals who have been chosen for their commitment to provide quality, educational in-home childcare. Kids at Home’s management team also consists of experienced Early childhood professionals and others who have worked within other roles in ECE for many years. We are proud of our positive workplace culture which can be felt as soon as you walk through our office doors!

Playgroups

Playgroup provides your child with a rich learning setting that encourages your child to build a foundation for future learning. Our groups provide your child with the opportunity to mix and make lifelong friends with other tamariki

Music Groups

Music groups provide your child the opportunity to participate in singing, dancing and experiment with musical instruments.

Music is an important part of any child care program. Listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, and moving to music are all activities that support tamariki development.

Outings and Excursions

Visiting Teachers plan trips to events or places of interest in the community such as fire stations, the zoo, museum, parks etc. (Whanau and friends are welcome to attend).

High Standard of Care

Our Teachers and Educators pride themselves on the quality of care and education each child receives.

We do not limit ourselves to one teaching method or philosophy because we understand that your child is unique. We believe that each child has their own learning style and personality.

Kids at Home’s Visiting Teachers are fully qualified and certificated ECE Teachers with a current practicing certificate from the Teaching Council; our handpicked Teachers have many years of experience and expertise between them.

Kids at Home’s Visiting Teachers support Educators with regular visits and planning for education and development of tamariki.

Our children are supported to become confident, competent self-directed learners through play based around their interests. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance.

Our Children’s curiosity and creativity is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided … no two days at Playcentre are the same.

Our children develop nurturing and social skills which have lifelong benefits. Siblings attend together, allowing older children to mentor younger children and practise empathy and caring.

Our parental relationships developed through Playcentre provide support from parents and help them develop new parenting and life skills.

Our parents are actively involved in providing our children’s learning programmes. The high adult to child ratio allows a good balance for group and individual support during each session.

There is no other organisation for early childhood education and family development quite like it in the world. Thousands of kiwi children, and their parents too, have grown up with Playcentre … book in for your three visits today and come and join the fun.

By about 3 and a half years, the child has attained social and emotional skills which indicate Kindergarten readiness.

Young children learn primarily through imitation and creative play. They are most secure in a warm home-like environment. The Waldorf Kindergarten programme provides this environment and utilises a full range of creative activities appropriate to early childhood development.

Daily activities include creative play, rhythm and movement, finger plays, singing, and circle games. A weekly pattern is established in which the children experience baking bread, modeling with beeswax, watercolour painting, crayon drawing and seasonal crafts. Fairy tales and nature stories are told and are further enlivened through puppet plays and simple drama. In order to provide a solid foundation upon which subsequent academic learning can flourish, the Kindergarten programme addresses the development of a creative imagination, provides focused activity, and nourishes a sense of wonder and reverence for all life.

Kindergarten operates from 9.00am – 3-00pm – daily. We are closed for 4 weeks over the Summer, and during school term breaks the kindergarten operates from the farm, rather than the kindergarten class rooms.

Our Childcare Centre is small and family orientated. It’s Pamir place location is within walking distance of Selwyn Ridge Primary school.  This specialist 3 to 6 year olds centre, allows all children to build strong relationships with each other and with their teachers. Your  child’s sense of belonging and contribution is well supported within this 1:8ratio.

Our philosophy has a strong focus on extending each child’s strengths and interests within a natural and nurturing environment. Each child’s unique needs are supported by fully qualified teachers and our on-site manager.

Bush kindy and our transition to school programme make this centre the best choice in this area.The Children’s Garden aims to provide a programme where the child’s development is nurtured through experiences and opportunities that will awaken their senses, stimulate their imagination and creativity by fostering an enquiring mind and a love of learning.We seek to support and instil a sense of value and self-worth in each child as well as an acceptance and understanding of the many cultures which make up our wider community. 

Our teachers are qualified professionals who are kind, responsive and fun. We guide and support learning through play-based explorations and experiences. We also place importance on our bush kindy, garden to plate, sustainability, community visits and our transition to school visits. We acknowledge the importance of a close family and community spirit where whanau feel an inclusive sense of belonging and enjoy being part of a collaborative community to support our children. 

We aim to provide an environment which feels homely and safe, encourages good self-care, healthy eating practices, physical activity, care and empathy for all creations. We believe children learn best where there is predictability and each child feels loved, nurtured, valued and safe. Learning through play encourages resourcefulness, creativity and critical thinking.

Core Values

"Our Mission is to nourish our seeds to grow as life-long learners with Positive Mind, and Grit"

Whanau/Family: 

Parents are the children's first teachers. A strong working relationship alongside parents/whanau is essential to to children's wellbeing and enhances their early education (Whanau tangata).

Respect: 

We respect children's rights and who they are. We will treat all people how we would like to be treated. We will respect and value our learning environments (Ngāhononga).

Exploration:

This is how children make sense of the world, with their experience they learn (Mana aoturoa). "Learning is an experience. Everything else is just information." (Albert Einstein)

Passion:

The Seedlings team are passionate about creating and enhancing exciting learning opportunities and inspiring lifelong learning (Ako).

Natural Environment:

Seedlings Preschool will always provide a natural classroom without walls and ceilings for children to explore and adventure freely while developing an ethic of care (Kaitiakitanga) for the environment. 

​​Seedlings Preschool Panorama Drive provides opportunities to:

• Grow and learn in a 2 arces farmlike environment just 2 minutes from the Welcome Bay roundabout or 7 minutes from the centre of Tauranga.
• Learn care and respect alongside animals and friends.
• Explore nature and discover new things every day.
• Play in an expansive outdoor space.
• Use imagination and natural resources to create their own play experiences.
• Enjoy a community spirit and  to be a part of our Seedlings family.

Te Kōhanga Reo

The kōhanga reo movement is a unique initiative based on total immersion in Māori language and values with the aim of passing on Māori culture to future generations.

Kōhanga reo emphasise the revitalisation of the culture through te reo Māori and are dependent on the active participation of the whole whānau. The kaupapa of kōhanga reo aims to strengthen whānau capabilities in cultural, social, economic, spiritual and political matters. Education, health and wellbeing are inherent within all aspects of the kaupapa. The prime focus is the whānau – its collective development, growth, accountability and wellbeing set within a Māori cultural context.

Kōhanga reo do not regard tamariki in isolation, but as important members of the whānau. The kōhanga reo philosophy is that tamariki will benefit when whānau successfully operate according to the kaupapa. Tamariki are an integral part of whānau development.

The following key goals are the foundation of te kōhanga reo kaupapa established in 1982:

• total immersion in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga in daily operations
• whānau decision-making, management and responsibility
• accountability
• health and wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.

The key goals of te kōhanga reo assure that there will be:

• security in te reo Māori
• a supportive, caring environment for mokopuna
• whānau (collective) sharing of responsibilities, knowledge and expertise
• greater respect and appreciation of each other.