HeadStart Childcare - Hobsonville

My daughter has attended HeadStart Early Education Centre in Hobsonville, Auckland for just over a year. Kaiako and staff are a professional and supportive team with many long term employees and it reflects in the way they communicate and interact with each other positively and how they welcome all whanau and tamariki into the centre. For this reason, the centre is a warm and homely environment. There is a strong emphasis on children’s individual learning including a sense of community amongst all children and teachers, encouraging awareness and learning of the diverse world around them and also how they affect and can improve it. Teachers regularly plan outings for children to venture into the community but also opportunities where children at the centre are able to share kai, special events and cultural celebrations interacting with members of the local community at the centre as their guests. I particularly like when grandparents and residents from a nearby rest home visit to hear the children sing like they often do to celebrate Matariki; or a small group of children are taken to drop their donations of toys/household items to the Monte Cecila Charity for homeless families. Last year I was even treated to a nutritious lunch with my daughter at HeadStart to celebrate their ‘5 plus a day’ learning focus. I like that their curriculum promotes a culture of sustainability and caring for the natural environment in the experiences they bring into the centre for the children. Often observing chicks growing in an incubator, caterpillars turning into monarch butterflies, recycling, watching tadpoles morphing into frogs, or collecting food from their own vegetable patch which is often used in the centres home cooking. Of course my daughter likes 'Bike Days' the best just because they are so fun, and she enjoys having me watch when I participate as a parent helper. As a mother I particularly enjoy knowing that the children at Headstart nurture and encourage each other, and as this is a mixed aged centre from two to five years my daughter particularly enjoys the variety of ages to play with/alongside, especially now that she is three and taking more of an interest in friendships. Many siblings are able to learn and play together throughout the day in a variety of experiences, so I know when my youngest also joins the HeadStart whanau she will have the benefit of her big sisters guidance and helping hand throughout the day. Lastly my favourite thing about HeadStart is that they treat my daughter with respect and value her wellbeing everyday. I am grateful how they ensure she is comfortable whenever I leave her and a friendly teacher will take the time to help her wave goodbye to me over the fence, with the option of a cuddle when Im gone if she needs it. Thank you Chris and your wonderful HeadStart team. From Rachael and Isabel

We had to move our 4 year old as we both started working full time and she was only at a kindergarten for half a day previously. When we had to move her we thought we found a great new kindy. Unfortunately our daughter had a horrific experience. We happened to come across headstart as a well established local kindergarten. Chris was accommodating of us once we shared our experience. Our daughter was scarred from her recent move and was skeptical of any other kindergartens. The staff and premises at headstart became real saviours, helping our daughter settle down by being extra accommodating. Within days our daughter forgot about her previous experience and adored her carers at headstart. Everyone is lovely at headstart and I have some great experiences here with my daughter going on various learning trips. If you live in West harbour whenuapai hobsonville or hobsonville point, look no further than this kindy for your tiny tots. Had we known we would ha e had our daughter here from the start. Thanks you headstart. Chris D and Tatiana for the wonderful experience for our daughter. You guys are amazing.

Headstart Childcare are attentive, engaged, professional, all while having the warmth of a home. Our daughter has been there for two years and the staff team have honestly been so amazing. Strongly recommend if your looking for good childcare.