BestStart Kilmarnock Street  

Welcome to BestStart Kilmarnock Street, now incorporating Montessori Mona Vale. we are currently rated by the Education Review Office as one of the top childcare centres in New Zealand. Conveniently located close to the CBD and within walking distance of Westfield Riccarton.

What makes us special

• Consistent, stable and talented teaching staff. Most of our team have worked at BestStart Kilmarnock for 5-10 years.
• One of the best quality centres in New Zealand, according to the Education Review Office. We are very proud of our Education Review Office report.
• Extra learning spaces. Along with our light, airy and spacious classrooms, we also boast two extra learning space for our learners and teachers to access for a change of place, extra running-around-room and extra fun in all weather. Our special large Whare Miharo and Tutu room, are places where we can gather for PE, singing together and other special occasions.
• Unique educational choices. We think we may be unique in New Zealand in offering families an amazing choice between two proven and diverse learning styles. From age three, you can select our very successful Mako Room, which follows the Te Whariki curriculum with our fabulous Be School Ready programme in a modern learning environment. Or you can select our Montessori Room, which follows a blend of the proven philosophy of Dr Maria Montessori along with the Te Whariki curriculum, in an environment that fosters more academics and a focus on independent learning.
• Plenty of convenient and safe off-street parking.
• A truly multicultural blend of people, among our learners and our staff, who speak many different languages. 

Our learning rooms

In consultation with families, children transition through the classrooms as they grow and develop and show us what they are ready for next. Having four classrooms supports children's learning and development as we can provide age and stage specific experiences with teachers who specialise in each age group, to grow your child's knowledge and capabilities. 

Pepi Taonga Room - Our Pepi Room is for the youngest members of our Kilmarnock family, aged approximately 3 months to 2 years old. This room has been designed to provide a safe space for our infants, while giving our toddlers room to challenge themselves and acquire new skills.  We have a large, quiet bedroom for children to have uninterrupted sleeps. We pride ourselves in the strong relationships we have with our children and families. One way we help these relationships develop is with our key teacher practice, where one teacher is responsible for getting to know your child well. They are the main person changing their nappy, giving them bottles and putting them to bed. This supports your child to feel safe and secure away from family and therefore develop a strong sense of belonging. We encourage open communication with our families so that we can provide the best holistic learning opportunities for our children.

Wheke Room - Our Wheke Room is for children aged approximately 2 to 3 and a half years old.  In this room, children learn to become confident and independent learners, by spending time exploring and discovering the world around them.  We provide opportunities for children to develop their independence and self-help skills, encouraging them to take risks and solve problems. We have group times during the day where we provide children with a range of learning opportunities through stories, music and movement. Teachers encourage children to direct where they would like to take their learning journey and they are provided with many opportunities to explore their interests.  We also offer a separate room for children who need an afternoon sleep during their time with us.

Mako Room - The Mako Room is for our older children aged approximately 3.5 to 5 years old.  The teachers in this room have a strong focus on getting children ready for school so that they leave our centre with confidence, independence, self-help skills and well-developed social skills. Our programme and daily routines enable our children to extend these skills in order to become competent learners, ready to begin their new adventures at school.  We begin each morning with a mat time very similar to a new entrant structure.  We offer a range of stimulating experiences throughout the day and respect their choices to encourage ownership of their own learning.

Montessori Room - Formerly known as Montessori Mona Vale, the reputation of this very special learning space ensures this is always a popular and busy room. Our Montessori Room operates from 8:00am until 4:30pm Monday to Friday (closed for statutory holidays only). Our Montessori learners are known for their ability to concentrate, work independently and with a solution-focussed attitude to learning and to life. The carefully prepared environment and special Montessori materials allow the children the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace.