See the morning your child would have.

Yes. Bear Park early learning centres offer the New Zealand Government's 20 Hours ECE subsidy. The scheme allows Bear Park to subsidise fees for up to 20 hours of early childhood education per week for children aged three to five.

NZ centres must keep at least one teacher to five children under two, and one to ten over two. Bear Park runs premium ratios, better than those minimums in every room, so there are more teachers around each child and the stronger relationships that follow.

In Auckland, under-two places can be limited; many families enquire six to twelve months ahead, sometimes during pregnancy. Book a tour and we will talk you through availability.

We plan it with you: a few short visits before the first full day, a comfort item from home, a goodbye routine you agree on, and the same teachers each morning.

An approach that sees every child as capable and curious, treats the environment as a third teacher, and lets learning follow the child's own questions, alongside Te Whāriki.

Often used to mean the same thing. We describe what we do as early learning: qualified teachers, a Reggio-inspired programme, days built around each child's curiosity, under Te Whāriki, care and education together, infancy to school age.

Count the adults, and notice how they talk with children and whether those children are deeply absorbed. Ask about ratios, the day's flow, settling, and how teachers share your child's learning.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, more teachers around each child, with ratios beyond what licensing requires, is central to what we offer. All Bear Park centres participate in the Government's 20 Hours ECE funding, so children aged three to five receive 20 subsidised hours per week, the same entitlement available at kindergarten.