BestStart Newmarket  

BestStart Newmarket, formerly First Steps Newmarket is a warm and nurturing centre, providing quality childcare and education in the greater Newmarket/Epsom area. We are a home away from home for our children and developing strong relationships with our families is very important to us. Our learning environment is appropriate for children’s ages and abilities and provides challenges to stimulate further development. We see play as an important part of our learning environment which includes free choice. Teachers promote development of foundation skills such as resilience, turn taking, communicating and co-ordination, setting children up for life long learning.

Our Learning Spaces

Our Atawhai room (infants and toddlers) has a natural Reggio Emilia inspired environment and is well resourced to cater for children from 3 months to 2.5 years old. We aim to inspire continuous learning and to promote thought, discussion, questioning, creativity and ideas. Examples of set ups for children to explore include:

• Open ended natural resources (this includes heuristic play baskets)
• Sensory exploration
• Conceptual aspects (changing seasons, light)

In this room children are naturally guided and supported to develop in their own individual way in a calm, homely, nurturing environment. Our passionate, qualified teachers cater to each child’s individual needs and strive to create an environment where everyone has a strong sense of belonging and where we provide the best and utmost care for each child as they learn and grow.

Our Arahi room (toddlers and preschoolers) is designed to provide a safe and exciting learning environment which helps young minds to explore, investigate and discuss a multitude of concepts. A natural Reggio Emilia inspired environment is developing in the room. Our passionate, qualified teachers provide a range of activities both indoors and outdoors, weaving the principles and goals of Te Whariki (NZ official curriculum) which ensures equitable learning opportunities for all. Our Be School Ready initiative helps children gain confidence to become competent learners and are well prepared for school.

We encourage values and principles such as:

• Manaakitanga – building an environment where the children care for others, look after their friends and respect the environment
• Ako – shared learning
• Whanaungatanga – family and participation is valued as well as strong connections to home – ensuring sure every child/family has a place where their culture is respected
• We foster multiculturalism and have the belief in the whakatauki (Māori proverb) that every child “Ahakoa he iti pounamu” “Despite being small, you are of great value”