Book a tour
Inside a graceful historic residence steps from the sea, Bear Park St Clair brings the Reggio Emilia approach to Dunedin. Expansive lawns, a working garden and vegetable plots, walls alive with children's work, and an on-site chef preparing nutritious meals every day.
The original character of the property is celebrated throughout, including the custom-made 1930s sundial in the outdoor area that delights our children. The spaces are full of natural light, designed to inspire every child who moves through them.
With many whānau living in the local St Clair community, children share a strong sense of kotahitanga. The natural connection to the whenua and the ocean shapes confident explorers and caretakers of the local landscape.
Our educational spaces are full of natural light, designed to promote inspiring learning scenarios which lead onto generous outdoor areas where exploration and discovery abound.
A short welcome from the person who leads the St Clair team, who would love to meet you and your child in person.
Our teachers are inspired by Reggio Emilia, the RIE approach and Te Whāriki, with genuine relationships between children, parents and teachers at the centre of everything we do.
Portrait to come★ 5.0 average · 5 Google reviews
"It is very good for learning. My child loved going there and learned a lot here."
Alena D.Parent · St Clair
"Bear Park is a great facility and when I drop my daughter off there I can leave knowing that she is in safe hands and is enjoying her time there"
Hamish H.Parent · St Clair
"Bear Park has a wonderful environment to nurture our children. Staff are well educated and genuinely care for for the children they look after. I would recommend St Clair to any parent wanting to send their child to a warm family orientated centre."
Jacalyn G.Parent · St Clair
At Bear Park St Clair, more teachers around each child is central to everything we do. With attention to spare, kaiako can observe and respond to each child as an individual. That means your tamariki gets consistent, personalised care every day. Our ratios comfortably exceed NZ licensing minimums, and our infant spaces are especially intimate.
Every Bear Park centre is led by a qualified and registered ECE teacher with extensive experience in the sector. At least 80% of our kaiako at Bear Park St Clair hold an ECE or Primary teaching qualification at NZQA Level 7 or above, with full Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand registration. All teachers, whether fully registered or working towards their qualification, take part in ongoing professional development guided by our Curriculum and Operations team.
Bear Park St Clair caters for tamariki aged 3 months to 5 years, across our full rooms. We offer continuity of care so children don't need to move settings as they grow.
Current fee schedules can be requested from the Centre Director.
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.
Bear Park St Clair is at 10 Hobson Street, St Clair, Dunedin 9012. St Clair Beach is a 7 minute walk, and the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool is a 10 minute walk. One of Dunedin's most popular coastal suburbs for families. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm. Nearby suburbs: St Kilda, South Dunedin, Caversham, Andersons Bay, Musselburgh.
Book a tour at Bear Park St Clair through our website by clicking the Book a Tour button and selecting your centre. Our Parents Guide is available to download too, giving you a full picture of our programme and philosophy.
Book a tourFree, about 45 minutes, and it asks nothing of you. This is your time to see Bear Park's philosophy in practice.
