Epsom Childcare Centre

find us:

Epsom, 7 Patey Street,  Epsom, Auckland

(09) 520 6661

7.30am to 6.00pm daily – Monday to Friday

3 min walk Cornwall Park

Double Grammar Zone

our Epsom Centre

From the moment children walk through the stained-glass front door of Bear Park Epsom, they know they've arrived somewhere special. Housed in a grand homestead on a gentle hill, surrounded by more than 2000 square metres of gardens and mature trees, this is a centre where imagination is never far away.

Bay windows spill light into the rooms, chandeliers hang from high ceilings, and kauri panelling gives every hallway the warmth of history. Our outdoor areas are an oasis in the city: expansive gardens, big shading trees and hedging that invites children to build worlds for make-believe play. At Bear Park Epsom, also known by families as Patey Street, imagination is always close at hand.

Our ethos

A Foundation for Friendship

At Bear Park Epsom, imagination is never far away. Our historic homestead centre, set among more than 2000 square metres of gardens, is a true oasis in the city. Through carefully planned, open-ended experiences in richly resourced environments, each child is supported to explore and discover in their own unique way. With excellent child-teacher ratios and a devoted team, Bear Park Epsom is a centre built on warmth, friendship and belonging.

Our commitment

A Foundation for Friendship

We are committed to creating wonderful, nurturing childhoods based on respectful relationships and a powerful image of the child. At Bear Park Epsom, every person who walks through the door is known by name.

Our Children

Our children learn and grow together in a warm, whānau-like environment where tuakana-teina relationships unfold naturally through shared exploration. In this collaborative space, younger tamariki build confidence alongside older peers, while older children strengthen their empathy, leadership, and sense of responsibility through meaningful connections.

Our Teachers

Our passionate team at Bear Park Epsom pride themselves on knowing every person who walks through the door. In this warm and intimate setting, teachers build meaningful relationships with children, parents and whānau – creating a community where every family feels known and truly valued.

Our Environment

Our centre is thoughtfully housed within a refurbished character home, offering a calm, welcoming environment that feels familiar and nurturing for our tamariki. Our indoor space invites collaboration, creativity, and unhurried exploration, while our expansive garden serves as a living classroom - rich with opportunities for discovery, inquiry, and meaningful engagement with the natural world.

Our Focus

The Foundation of Our Practice

At Bear Park Epsom, our classroom spaces are carefully crafted to promote relationship building and collaborative learning. Natural and recycled materials provoke creative thinking, problem solving and imagination at every stage of the day.

This centre is truly amazing. We enrolled our firstborn when he was 13 months old, and he has absolutely blossomed under their care. He's become so much more confident around other children, more independent, and better at managing himself. The team has played such a big role in shaping him into the wonderful little boy he is today.

Our baby absolutely loves being here, which says everything. The small ratios give me real peace of mind knowing she receives such thoughtful, individual attention from the teachers. They truly know her, which means so much to us.

Amazing centre! Incredible teachers and a highly engaging environment. Best decision we made for our kids :)

The teachers are knowledgeable, warm, and communicative. As an anxious first-time mum, I've appreciated the reassurance, updates, and care they've shown not just to our daughter, but to our whole family during this transition.

Parent Testimonials

Culture

Vision

Creativity

Heritage

Our Learning Spaces

Children are welcomed into the Fantail room where we offer a peaceful, respectful, caring and nurturing environment. In the early years it is important to develop strong, meaningful relationships as children build confidence in their own abilities. We believe that children should be given the time and space to explore the world around them at their own pace, and that establishing a partnership between families and teachers is essential for a smooth and loving transition.

We both believe that children are all unique individuals that learn and grow at their own pace. Children should always be supported and empowered in an environment that encourages curiosity, wonder and challenge. Developing meaningful partnerships with children and their families is something we strongly value. Trust, honesty and open collaboration between the child, teacher and family are key to ensuring everyone feels respected and empowered.

The Tui teaching team believe that all children are capable of achieving anything they put their minds to with the right support. Learning and development in the Tui environment is a journey of discovery, exploration, imagination and adventure. The social and emotional wellbeing of a child is at the heart of all learning. We believe it is important that the tamariki take ownership of their environment, ensuring the development of confident, capable, independent world-wise learners.

Locations Information

Epsom Childcare Centre

Centre Owner:

Sue Stevely-Cole

Centre Director:

Amber-Rose Bao-as

Phone:

(09) 520 6661

Age of children catered for:

3 months to 5 years

Licence:

50 children

Address

7 Patey Street, Epsom, Auckland

FAQs

Where is the Epsom centre located?

Bear Park Epsom is at 7 Patey Street, Epsom, Auckland 1023. Cornwall Park is a 3 minute walk, and Cornwall Park District School is nearby. The centre sits within the Double Grammar Zone, covering both Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls' Grammar School. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm. Nearby suburbs: Royal Oak, Greenlane, Three Kings, Remuera, Newmarket.

What is the child-to-teacher ratio?

Small group sizes at Bear Park Epsom aren't just about safety, they're about the quality of learning. When kaiako aren't managing large groups, they can focus on meaningful observation, documentation, and responsive teaching. Our teacher-to-child ratios are well above what licensing requires, and we're proud of the calm, attentive environments that creates.

What are the qualifications and experience levels of your staff?

At Bear Park Epsom, at least 80% of our kaiako hold an ECE or Primary teaching qualification at Level 7 or above on the NZQA framework, and are fully registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Centre Director is a qualified, registered ECE teacher with substantial sector experience. All teaching staff, including those working towards their qualification, are mentored by our Curriculum and Operations leadership team.

Which ages are accepted at Bear Park Epsom?

Bear Park Epsom welcomes tamariki from 3 months through to 5 years. We provide care and education across this entire range, so your child can grow with us and with their kaiako all the way to school.

What are your fees and do you accept childcare subsidies?

For fees, please contact Bear Park Epsom directly. Our team can explain what's involved and advise on any government subsidies available to your whānau, including the 20 Hours ECE programme.

Is Bear Park Epsom accepting new child enrolments?

To find out if there is space at Bear Park Epsom, contact us directly. Our spaces are in demand, and getting in touch early gives your tamariki the best chance of securing a place.

How can I book a tour?

The quickest way to book a tour is online. Go to bearpark.co.nz, click Book a Tour, and select Bear Park Epsom. Our Parents Guide is also available to download and covers everything you'd want to know about Bear Park.

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