Herne Bay

Book a Tour Book a Tour

Book a Tour

Thank you

Herne Bay Childcare Centre

find us:

42 Shelly Beach Rd, 
Herne Bay, Auckland

Contact Us:

(09) 376 0232

7.30am to 6.00pm daily – Monday to Friday

5 min walk Ponsonby Primary

5 min drive Auckland CBD

our Herne Bay Centre
On the sunny corner of Shelly Beach Road and Tweed Street, just minutes from Ponsonby Primary School, Bear Park Herne Bay makes its home in a warm, characterful bungalow with a modern extension designed to let the light in.

Days follow a familiar, rhythmic pattern, giving children a safe foundation from which to explore. Inventive, richly resourced indoor and outdoor classrooms encourage curiosity at every turn. Our sustainable garden, small group sizes, and emphasis on self-worth and wellbeing make Bear Park Herne Bay a place where every child truly belongs.

Our ethos
A Place of Encounters

At Bear Park Herne Bay, we are passionate about creating an environment that is warm, caring and focused on the self-worth and wellbeing of children, teachers and whānau. Our days follow a familiar pattern and rhythm – creating a safe foundation from which children can explore. We strongly believe in the power of meaningful learning spaces where children can delve into the realms of exploration, curiosity and wonder.

Our commitment
A Place of Encounters

At Bear Park Herne Bay, we are passionate about creating an environment that is warm, caring and focused on the self-worth and wellbeing of children, teachers and whanau.

Our Children

We strongly believe in small learning groups where children can confidently engage and learn together, building upon their self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Each child is welcomed as a capable, creative individual with their own unique way of exploring the world.

Our Teachers

Our Herne Bay teachers are warm, dedicated and passionate advocates for the wellbeing and learning of every child. They bring creativity, genuine care and a love of teaching to every interaction, ensuring each child feels valued, supported and inspired.

Our Environment

Our bungalow and modern extension are filled with natural light and richly resourced spaces that invite discovery. At the front of our property is our sustainable garden – a place of calm and tranquillity for children, teachers and whānau to enjoy together.

Our Focus
The Foundation of Our Practice

At Bear Park Herne Bay, we believe in the power of meaningful learning spaces. Our environments invite children to delve into exploration, curiosity and wonder every single day, supported by a passionate teaching team and strong partnerships with families.

We had a wonderful transition, especially given that our child came from another daycare where he was very well settled. It was a matter of days before we were rushing out the door eager to get to see his new friends and teachers.

Fantastic experience so far for our little one. The administration as well as the in classroom staff have been fantastic. We couldn't be happier with the experiences our child is getting and she loves being there.

Bear Park is an exceptional place, staffed by hard working, loving people

Excellent childcare, the staff are so good! Our boy loves it there.

Parent Testimonials
Friendship
Connection
Expression
Thoughtfulness
Our Learning Spaces

The Fantail room offers a warm and nurturing environment for our infants. We value children as precious individuals who make up an integral part of our community. We feel that as educators it is our role to be respectful of each child's individual needs, personalities and identity. We strongly believe that parent and teacher partnerships are important when building solid learning foundations for young children.

The Kakapo children are our inquisitive and energetic toddlers. The Kakapo team believes in building respectful and reciprocal relationships between all children and their family and whanau. Our image of the child is a child who is a competent and confident communicator through their hundred languages. We offer opportunities for children to explore and discover the many possibilities that lie within themselves.

In the Kea Room we celebrate and strive towards nurturing the child's unique perspective of themselves and the world around them. We view children as capable and competent and believe that everyone should be treated with respect and kindness. Our environment is very supportive of our children's learning and growing independence. We foster strong relationships with children and their whanau so that we can work in partnership to empower our children in a holistic way.

The Tui Room is a space where children's innate curiosity and eagerness to learn is instilled daily. This is created by the teachers utilising the environment as the third teacher, providing meaningful provocations that enrich and deepen the children's understanding of the world. Our children's curiosity is fostered, questioning is invited, and joy fills the room.

Locations Information

Herne Bay Childcare Centre

Centre Owner:

Sue Stevely-Cole

Centre Director:

Tess Hewitt-Cole

Phone:

(09) 376 0232

Age of children catered for:

3 months to 5 years

Licence:

25 under two's + 50 over two's

Address

42 Shelly Beach Road, Herne Bay, Auckland

FAQs

Where is the Herne Bay centre located?

Bear Park Herne Bay is at 42 Shelly Beach Rd, Herne Bay, Auckland 1011, on the corner of Tweed Street. Ponsonby Primary School is a 5 minute walk, and Auckland CBD is a 5 minute drive. Convenient for families living in central Auckland or the inner western suburbs. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm. Nearby suburbs: Ponsonby, St Marys Bay, Freemans Bay, Grey Lynn.

What is the teacher-child ratio?

Bear Park Herne Bay is built around small learning groups. We believe tamariki learn best when they're truly known by their kaiako, not just looked after. Our groups are kept deliberately small, our teacher-to-child ratios go beyond the minimum required, and in our infant rooms the pace is calm and unhurried so every pēpi gets the undivided attention they deserve.

How qualified and experienced are your childcare staff?

At least 80% of our kaiako at Bear Park Herne Bay hold a recognised ECE or Primary teaching qualification at Level 7 or above on the NZQA framework, and are registered with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Centre Director is a qualified, registered ECE teacher with extensive sector experience. Teachers working towards their qualification study while working in the centre, supported throughout by our Curriculum and Operations team.

Which age groups can attend Bear Park Herne Bay?

Bear Park Herne Bay welcomes tamariki from 3 months to 5 years. Your child can grow with us from infancy right through to starting school, building lasting bonds with their kaiako along the way.

What are your fees and do you accept childcare subsidies?

For current fees, please contact Bear Park Herne Bay directly. Bear Park also participates in the New Zealand Government's 20 Hours ECE funding, providing eligible three- and four-year-olds with 20 subsidised hours per week.

Is Bear Park Herne Bay accepting new child enrolments?

To check availability at Bear Park Herne Bay, get in touch with our team directly. We recommend enquiring early as spaces fill quickly. Booking a tour is a great first step.

How can I book a tour?

The easiest way to book a tour is through our website. Click the Book a Tour button, select Bear Park Herne Bay, and choose a time that suits your whānau. You can also download our Parents Guide for a full overview of life at Bear Park.

FAQs

Test

Test