How did the collaboration between BeezThingz and Bear Park come about?
Bear Park was looking at introducing sustainable learning for the kids at their centres which lead them to investigating ways this could be achieved. Given they already had gardening activities in place, introduction of bees completed this puzzle.
What specific benefits do the beehives provided by BeezThingz bring to the Bear Park childcare centres?
Bees provide pollination services not only to the centre gardens but 3km in radius of the centre, therefore most of the parents leaving within 3km of the centres gets their backyards pollinated as well. Some of the centre hives are visible through glassed windows where kids can see the activity while beekeepers are servicing the hives. Kids also get to know where their food comes from and importance of the ecosystem from very young age.
What measures does BeezThingz take to ensure the safety of the children and staff in relation to the beehives?
All our hives are placed at safe spots which are not easily accessible by unsupervised children. We try not to inspect our hives during pickup and drop off hours. Most of our inspections takes place after hours or during weekends for accessible sites. Our queens are internally bred with temperaments that are ideal for urban setups.
What educational resources or materials does BeezThingz provide to Bear Park to support their learning about bees and beekeeping?
Upon request we run live display bee talks for schools and kindergartens. This is where we share our experience and knowledge with children and staff.
Are there any specific guidelines or protocols in place to ensure the responsible management of the beehives at Bear Park?
We have our in-house software to record inspections and run sheets. All treatments and hive health’s are recorded within our database.
How often are the beehives inspected and maintained by BeezThingz to ensure the health and well-being of the bees?
Beehives are inspected monthly during spring and summer. Bees are left alone during cooler months as that’s when they are mostly hibernating.
Can you explain the process of introducing and acclimatizing the beehives to the childcare centre environment?
Beehives are installed at suitable locations where they have clear flying paths and access to water.
How does BeezThingz educate the childcare centre staff and children on bee safety and proper behaviour around the beehives?
Before placing beehives, suitable spots were chosen, and all risks were discussed with staff. During our visits and educational sessions, we educate children and staff on how to behave around bees.
Are there any specific guidelines or restrictions provided to childcare centres regarding the proximity or accessibility of the beehives to the children’s play areas?
Beehives are kept well away from play areas posing no risk.
What happens to the honey produced by the beehives at Bear Park, and how is it utilized or distributed?
Honey is delivered in 140gram glass jars to each centre.
Are there any additional educational opportunities or initiatives provided by BeezThingz to promote awareness and appreciation for bees among the children and families at Bear Park?
We are willing to run educational sessions with Bear park families.
