BestStart Salisbury Street is a newly renovated early childhood education centre in the heart of central Christchurch, caring for children from 3 months to 6 years across two thoughtfully designed learning spaces. Part of BestStart, New Zealand's largest early childhood education provider, the centre focuses on building strong connections with families and celebrating the diversity of the community it serves.
BestStart was founded in 1996 when Wayne and Chloe Wright opened the organisation's first centre in Tauranga with a small team of four. It has since grown into a New Zealand-owned charitable organisation with over 260 centres from Whangarei to Invercargill, including preschools, kindergartens and Montessori centres. Centres follow the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki, which focuses on learning through play and building a strong foundation for further learning.
At Salisbury Street, community and connection are central to the day-to-day experience, with cultural celebrations and family events helping children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. Regular excursions to the local library support early literacy, and the centre provides fresh, healthy, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day, helping take pressure off busy mornings for working families.
BestStart Salisbury Street sits in the heart of central Christchurch, offering a newly renovated, calm and welcoming environment for children from 3 months to 6 years old. As part of BestStart, New Zealand's largest early childhood education provider, the centre draws on nearly three decades of organisational experience while maintaining a genuinely local, community-focused feel.
BestStart's story began in 1996, when Wayne and Chloe Wright opened the organisation's first early childhood education centre in Tauranga with a team of just four people. That small beginning has grown into a New Zealand-owned charitable organisation with more than 260 centres stretching from Whangarei to Invercargill, encompassing preschools, kindergartens and Montessori centres. Every centre, including Salisbury Street, follows Te Whāriki, New Zealand's early childhood curriculum, which emphasises learning through play and building a strong foundation for the years ahead.
At Salisbury Street, children are cared for across two thoughtfully designed learning spaces suited to different ages and stages. The centre places real emphasis on diversity and belonging, celebrating a wide range of cultures through everyday experiences and special family events. This isn't treated as a one-off gesture — it's woven into daily life at the centre, helping children develop a strong sense of identity while building meaningful connections with the families around them.
Regular excursions to the local library form part of the centre's approach to early literacy, giving children real-world learning experiences that go beyond the classroom and spark curiosity and confidence. Combined with the Get Set for School programme, these experiences are designed to build genuine readiness for the next stage of a child's education, not just occupy the day.
Opening from 6:30am to 5:30pm on weekdays, BestStart Salisbury Street is built to support working families and make the day run more smoothly. The centre also takes care of the everyday essentials, providing fresh, healthy, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day — one less thing for parents to think about during a busy morning. Families with children aged 3 to 5 can also access 20 hours free early childhood education, with WINZ subsidies available if needed.
Families at Salisbury Street describe feeling at home from their very first visit, with teachers praised for being attentive and inclusive of different cultural backgrounds. One parent shared how the centre embraced their son's Brazilian heritage as part of his learning, while another highlighted the friendly staff and the centre's consistently clean, well-maintained environment, with different activities always set up for the children.
BestStart Salisbury Street is located at 150 Salisbury Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, and is open Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 5:30pm. Families interested in learning more can book a visit or make an enquiry directly through the centre.