BestStart Claudelands

ERO has rated ABC Claudelands in the top 7% of NZ childcare centres providing positive learning outcomes for children.

BestStart Claudelands, (formerly ABC Claudelands) is located near the Claudelands Events Centre on the main route leading into the central city. Our families come from surrounding suburbs, with parents often working in the city or studying at University or Wintec. We celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the many cultures that make up our centre families. Together we learn from one another through play.

We have two main rooms, catering for the needs of babies – aged up to two and children from two to five years old. Our classroom names represent the cultural heritage and uniqueness of Jubilee Bush in the Claudelands Area: Tui and Kereru. We provide quiet reflective areas as well as structure in our environment to provide stimulation for inquisitive minds.

Tui Room - Our infant room provides space for very young babies as well as toddlers. Our youngest children develop close relationships as they play alongside one another, in a room with a maximum of ten children. They enjoy individual attention in a relaxed atmosphere and learn to share in a small group. Daily care routines provide opportunities for one to one nurturing. Qualified staff match the space to support your child’s development as they begin to move. We have our own outdoor area to explore and enjoy the sight and sound of approaching trains that rumble past our centre.

Kereru Room - There are a wide range of activities across the curriculum areas to keep our two to five year old children busy. After lunch is a quiet time across the centre, while our younger children sleep. Our outdoor area is designed to create and inspire and supports children to think, to wonder, to be challenged to investigate further and research their working theories of the world around them. Children have access to computers where they can research information and ideas to support their learning. We’re privileged to have weekly visits from a local supportive network who work alongside staff in providing bicultural curriculum support. We have visits throughout the year from the Vision and Hearing Clinic, health agencies such as Nipper and Nudge (oral health) and Reuben the Road Safety Bear.

Children and staff cherish our lovely mature trees that frame our outdoor environment. The heart of BestStart Claudelands Centre is embracing relationships through the principle of whanaungatanga (the extended family concept). Establishing and maintaining warm, trusting, reciprocal relationships between teachers, tamariki, and their whānau is the foundation for creating a strong sense of belonging for children. This helps them grow as confident, capable and life-long learners.