BestStart Waihopai Kindy

BestStart Waihopai Kindy (formerly ABC Invercargill North 2) is a small family focused centre for 2 to 5-year-olds in the heart of Invercargill. We are located opposite Queens Park, which gives us lots of opportunity to get out in our community and explore.

What makes us special

Close-knit and family focused

As a smaller centre, our experienced and qualified teaching team are close to our children and their families. Many children attend our centre with their siblings and cousins. Because of this homely atmosphere, this is a great place to take your child if they have never attended childcare or preschool before.  Our teachers have worked together for several years and have developed strong relationships within our local community. 

Our learning spaces

Our centre has two spacious learning rooms. The main building is set up for family, pretend play, puzzles, books, art and creation. Our second room is set up as a large group area, where we can hold our special events and group activities that include music, instruments, dance and active movement. 

Our Garden

We have our own centre garden where we grow our own vegetables. Our centre prefers sustainable practices, so we also have a compost system and worm farm that the children help maintain. Children learn all about nature and the environment and how to care for it.

Healthy eating

Our centre has a Pa Harakeke level, Gold Healthy Heart award from the NZ Heart Foundation.We provide nutritious meals and snacks for our tamariki.

School readiness programme

We provide BestStart’s unique Be School Ready initiative, which helps children be prepared for the transition to school.

Nature programme

We also provide a weekly Bush Kindy experience for our oldest 4 -year-olds - this encourages lots of exploring and problem solving as they prepare for school.

We keep you in the loop with your child’s progress and day to day activities

Individual profiles which include observation notes and photos are kept for all children. These are compiled by teachers on a regular basis. Children’s portfolios are available online through Storypark, so you can share your child’s learning journey with friends and family.  You can log in to the secure platform to see what’s been happening in their day, check out photos of them and comment on their activities.