Goodstart Early Learning Petrie

14/08/2026

12/08/2026

Strong relationships are the foundation for confident, curious learners 💛

Goodstart’s key educator approach ensures every child is known, supported and feels safe - through consistent, nurturing connections with educators and meaningful partnerships with families. These bonds help build wellbeing, resilience and a true sense of belonging from day one.

Discover how this approach supports your child’s learning journey: https://brnw.ch/2

06/08/2026

This month we’re celebrating a very special milestone – congratulations to Linda on 20 years with Goodstart.

Linda is so much more than our Assistant Director. She is loved by our educators, families and children, and there’s a reason our team affectionately calls her “Mama Bear.” She is always there with a listening ear, kind words, guidance and unwavering support for everyone around her.

As Centre Director, I know that whenever I’m away, our centre is in the very best hands. Linda leads with warmth, dedication and genuine care, and our team and families are incredibly lucky to have her.

Thank you, Linda, for two decades of making a difference in the lives of so many children, families and educators. Your commitment, compassion and leadership are truly appreciated.

29/07/2026

Did you know we invested $65.5M into our social purpose last year, a 14% increase on the year before? 👏 At Goodstart, we're proud of the impact we have on children, families and communities. As a not‑for‑profit, every dollar we earn is reinvested to improve outcomes – from high‑quality learning and educator development to extra support for children who need it most.
Because when we put children first, the impact goes further 💛

15/07/2026

The research is clear 📚 reading aloud is one of the most powerful things we can do for our children.

When we read with a child, we’re doing far more than sharing a story. We’re building the foundations for language, confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Decades of research shows that children who are read to regularly:

💛 Build stronger language skills
Hearing rich varied language in books exposes children to far more words than everyday conversation alone. This growing vocabulary helps them understand, communicate and make sense of the world.

💛 Develop early literacy skills long before they learn to read
Through stories, children learn how books work – that print carries meaning, that pages turn left to right, and that stories have a beginning, middle and end. These early understandings make learning to read feel familiar and exciting.

💛 Strengthen phonological awareness
Rhymes, rhythms and playful sounds help children hear the building blocks of language.

💛 Grow their comprehension and thinking skills
Talking together about a story, predicting what might happen, wondering how a character feels, and connecting events to real life helps children develop memory, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking.

💛 Experience connection, comfort and joy
Shared reading fosters calmness, closeness, and moments of joint attention. These warm interactions support a child's sense of security and belonging.

Most importantly, children who experience positive, engaging reading moments from a young age are more likely to develop a genuine love of books - something that matters even more than early literacy skills alone.

Reading is simple, joyful, and sets children up for success in school and life.

Here is a list of some of our favourites below 👇

11/06/2026

Looking for childcare sooner than expected?
We know finding the right place for your child can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you need care quickly. That's why we're here to support you every step of the way.
Our centre has immediate vacancies available, and we'd love to welcome you in for a tour. Come and meet our caring educators, explore our learning spaces, and see what makes our centre such a special place for children to learn, grow and thrive.
Book a tour online anytime or give our friendly Family Support Team a call on 1800 222 543.
We look forward to meeting you and your family soon

25/05/2026

Outdoor play is a big part of Goodstart Early Learning Petrie.
As an indoor/outdoor centre, children have the opportunity to move freely between spaces all day, every day, and when it rains we embrace that too. From puddle splashing to muddy adventures, the children love being outside and experiencing the environment in a real and hands-on way.

21/05/2026

Our little explorers have been diving into the world of dinosaurs through this engaging small world setup
Using natural materials, books, textures and imaginative play, children have been creating stories, exploring different environments and learning through hands-on discovery. Experiences like these support creativity, language development and collaborative play while making learning fun and meaningful.

01/05/2026

We’re often asked what being not-for-profit really means for our families.

Simply put, it means that our purpose always comes before profit. Every dollar we make is reinvested back into our centres, to provide children with enriching and safe learning environments.

We understand how important it is for children to be in a place where they feel safe and settled. And when families need to make a change - planned or unexpected - we’re here to help make that transition easier.

We’re here to support families when it matters most – because every child deserves a Goodstart! ✨

21/04/2026

We’ve been having so much fun in our Kindy room learning Māori numbers, along with exploring lots of different cultures that make up our world.
It’s been really special hearing the children share their ideas, count together, and learn from each other through play. These little moments are such a great way to build respect, confidence and a sense of belonging.
In our Kindy room, we’re lucky to have a consistent ECT and educators, we focus on helping children feel confident and ready for school, and we enjoy regular visits to our local school to make that transition feel familiar and exciting.
We also have a few vacancies available, and offer 15 hours of free kindy, feel free to reach out or book a tour if you’d like to know more.