Contact us

Bear Park has eleven centres across New Zealand: Albany, Mairangi Bay, Remuera, Epsom, Herne Bay, Kohimarama, St Heliers, Henderson, Hobsonville, and Mt Eden in Auckland, and St Clair in Dunedin. Each centre shares the same educational philosophy and approach to early learning.

Bear Park welcomes tamariki from three months through to school age. Each centre has thoughtfully designed spaces for infants, toddlers, and older children, with age-appropriate materials, rhythms, and learning environments suited to each stage of development.

Bear Park centres are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, an internationally respected philosophy that views children as capable, curious learners from birth. Alongside Te Whariki, New Zealand's early childhood curriculum, our kaiako plan learning around each child's interests, relationships, and environment.

The best first step is to book a tour at the centre closest to you. Visiting in person gives your whanau a feel for the environment, the kaiako, and the community. From there, our team will guide you through the enrolment process and discuss availability.

Yes. All Bear Park centres participate in the Government's 20 Hours ECE funding, which gives eligible three- and four-year-olds 20 funded hours of early childhood education per week.

Most Bear Park centres are open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.00pm. Hours may vary slightly by location. Mairangi Bay is open 7.00am to 5.30pm. We recommend contacting your local centre to confirm operating times and session options.

Bear Park meets and exceeds Ministry of Education ratio requirements and maintains intentionally small group sizes so kaiako can build deep, consistent relationships with every child in their care.

We always recommend booking a tour. Every family is different, and the best way to understand what makes Bear Park distinct is to experience it in person. Tours are warm, unhurried, and genuinely informative.

Kaiako work closely with whanau to make every transition gradual and supported, moving at each child's pace. As children approach school age, Bear Park focuses on building the independence, curiosity, and confidence they need to thrive in their next learning environment.

Yes. Outdoor environments are an integral part of every Bear Park centre. Gardens and outdoor areas are thoughtfully designed to invite exploration, physical play, and connection with the natural world. Tamariki move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day.

At least 80% of kaiako across all Bear Park centres 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. Teachers working towards their qualification study while working in the centre, supported by Bear Park's Curriculum and Operations team. Every centre is led by a qualified, registered ECE teacher with extensive sector experience.

A tour is the best way to see Bear Park properly. You'll meet the kaiako, spend time in the spaces, and get a real sense of how the day runs. It's also your chance to ask the questions that matter most to you. Book through our website or call your local centre directly. We recommend downloading our Parents Guide beforehand. It gives you a solid grounding in how we work and what to look for on your visit.

In New Zealand, both kindergartens and private ECE centres like Bear Park fall under the umbrella of early childhood education (ECE). The key differences are in the model and investment. Kindergartens are community-based and not-for-profit, typically operating part-time hours, and receive a higher government subsidy which keeps parent fees low. Private ECE centres offer full-day care and education with fully qualified teaching teams, regular professional development, and ongoing investment in environments, resources, and learning programmes. At Bear Park, small group sizes and excellent teacher-to-child ratios are central to what we offer. All Bear Park centres participate in the Government's 20 Hours ECE funding, so eligible three- and four-year-olds receive 20 subsidised hours per week, the same entitlement available at kindergarten.

Yes. Kaiako at Bear Park document each child's learning journey and share this regularly with whanau. We believe families are a child's first and most important teachers, and open communication between home and the centre is central to how we work. If you have questions about how we share updates and learning stories, ask your centre team when you visit.