BestStart Onehunga

About BestStart Onehunga
About Education & Care Service
Education & Care Services are mainstream early learning centres that offer full-day or part-day care with a structured curriculum, qualified teachers, and a focus on learning through play. They cater to families needing flexible childcare options and wanting a balanced approach that supports social, physical, and early academic development in a diverse environment.
What Is 20 Hours ECE funding?
20 Hours ECE is a government-funded initiative that helps reduce the cost of early childhood education for families with tamariki aged 3–5. Eligible children can receive up to 20 hours of funded care and education each week at participating services. Centres can set their own enrolment patterns and may ask for optional charges, but the funded hours themselves should be free of compulsory fees. If you are unsure how this works at BestStart Onehunga, it is best to ask the centre directly how they apply 20 Hours ECE.
Community Profile
Roll & age distribution
BestStart Onehunga currently has a roll of 76 children tamariki , with most children enrolled in the 0–5 years age band.
Ethnicity profile
Asian tamariki are the largest group (26% of the roll), alongside european, māori, pacific, other children.
Roll and demographic figures are based on data supplied by the Ministry of Education and were last updated on 01/07/2024.
Parent Reviews
“Beautiful, light-filled space, and very kind, warm, attentive teachers. My son loves going to day care, and he eats everything they give him, while he's very picky at home!”
“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love and care you have given johar Leaving him in your hands each day never felt like leaving him with strangers — it felt like leaving him with family. You have been there through his tears and his laughter, guiding him with such kindness, patience, and warmth. Your support has meant the world to us, especially on the days when he needed a little extra love and you gave it so freely. You’ve helped shape not just his learning but his confidence, his joy, and his heart — and for that, I’ll always be grateful. These early years are so precious, and I feel so blessed that he spent them with such a loving and nurturing team. ❤️❤️❤️❤️Truly blessed, grateful and thankful to everyone 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️”
“When we first arrived in New Zealand, everything was new and unfamiliar, the people, the routines, and especially the idea of leaving our little boy in someone else’s care for the first time. BestStart Onehunga became our safe haven during this big transition. It wasn’t just his first school, it was the first place outside our home where he felt truly happy, secure, and understood. From the very first day, the warmth and care shown by the entire team made a world of difference. The teachers in the Uenuku and Paua rooms, along with the loving caregivers and support staff, treated our little one like one of their own. He quickly developed a sense of belonging and joy, something we didn’t expect to happen so smoothly. We have watched him grow in the most beautiful ways, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. From learning new words and making friends to expressing himself through art and music, every little milestone has made us proud. We’ve seen him become more confident, curious, and joyful each day he spent at BestStart. What touched us most was how the teachers always kept us updated on his progress and wellbeing. Their communication, kindness, and personal connection gave us peace of mind as parents trying to navigate a new country and a new beginning. Thank you, BestStart Onehunga, for being such an important part of our little one's early years. You didn’t just care for our son, you helped lay the foundation for his lifelong love of learning and gave our family a beautiful beginning in Aotearoa. We will always be grateful.”
“1 month in and all the teachers try very hard. They are very patient and kind. I trust the teachers so much that it makes me feel good leaving my world in their hands. I have recommended to family members already. This is my first experience with daycares and honestly, they have set the bar so high! Thankful for everyone ❤”
“Best Daycare center in town hands down. This is my sons last year at daycare and he will miss all his friends and teachers so much because of how much of a great impact everyone is in my sons life. Thanks so much for all the support yous have given me and my son. Will be bringing my future kids here for sure (:”
Interested?
Contact the centre directly to check for availability or arrange a visit.
Getting ready for daycare?
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