BestStart Halswell Junction

Our exploring space for our youngest tamariki – those just beginning their journey – where it all begins.  A place to learn to be around others, feel safe to explore new challenges and environments while building strong personal connections with educators. Our under 2's classrooms all incorporate the RIE/Pikler philosophy/

Tanemahuta – stretched his legs and separated Papatuanuku from Ranginui – like our toddlers – ready to begin their journey into being independent young tamariki. When children are feeling more confident and ready to engage in a more challenging environment they naturally transition in to our Tanemahuta Space. This is usually around 15 – 19months of age. Our under 2's classrooms all incorporate the RIE/Pikler philosophy/

The cheekiest of all the Atua yet so courageous – just like our new 2 year olds! When children turn 2 they begin a new adventure in the “preschool” end of the centre. The first of the 3 preschool learning spaces is our Maui space. This is where our children really start to find out who they are and how they fit in to the world. There are lots of open ended experiences and opportunities for children to test their own ideas and theories and take some risks! Our under 2's classrooms all incorporate the RIE/Pikler philosophy/

Tangaroa – god of the sea, the creator of waves and currents – being a 3 nearly 4 year old can be like riding an emotional wave sometimes as our tamariki learn to negotiate their emotional intelligence, resilience and tackle the world around them. As our children grow they become thirsty for more responsibility and independence and the Tangaroa room is made for that! We instil mana and strength in our children to know their own strengths and capabilities and not be afraid to embrace these.

Ranginui – our sky father watching over all of us – just like our 4 year olds as they prepare for their next journey of Primary School! The Ranginui learning space is open from 9.00 – 3.00 and is for our children over 4 years of age who are preparing for their next journey at Primary School.

In the Ranginui learning space we follow the routine of a school day. Children will be involved in a much more formally structured day just like they would at school. We prepare children for their new adventure to Primary School emotionally, socially, physically and academically, knowing that when they head off to school they are ready to take on whatever their new environment offers them.