Book a tour
Our original centre on Maskell Street has welcomed generations of St Heliers families. Two warm, characterful homes, expansive gardens, mature trees and a devoted team who carry 40 years of this community's trust.
Bear Park was founded here in St Heliers in 1986, and this centre has inspired the entire Bear Park network ever since. The loyalty of its families and the depth of its community connections reflect four decades of care given and trust earned.
Spread across two warm, modified residential homes on Maskell Street, the environment is designed to feel familiar and nurturing. Shaded outdoor areas, mature trees and well-established gardens give children space to explore, create and imagine every day.
Children at St Heliers develop a strong sense of identity and kotahitanga within their community. A long-standing team builds deep bonds with tamariki and whānau across the infant-toddler centre and preschool, carrying children through to school with trusted kaiako alongside them.
A short welcome from the two supervisors who lead the St Heliers 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.
★ 5.0 average · 2 Google reviews
"Really well structured and run."
Shaun N.Parent · St Heliers
More whānau stories are on their way. In the meantime, we would love to show you around in person.
Bear Park St Heliers is at 114-116 Maskell Street, St Heliers, Auckland 1071. St Heliers village shops and St Heliers School are a 12 minute walk, and St Heliers Beach is a 3 minute drive. A well-established choice for families in the eastern bays. Open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm. Nearby suburbs: Glendowie, Kohimarama, Meadowbank, Point England.
At Bear Park St Heliers, our kaiako-to-child ratios are kept generous so every tamariki is genuinely known. More teachers build security, and secure children learn better. We maintain ratios that go beyond licensing requirements, and in our youngest rooms the environment is particularly intimate and responsive.
Our kaiako at Bear Park St Heliers come with a range of experience and credentials. At least 80% hold a recognised ECE or Primary teaching qualification at NZQA Level 7 or above, with Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand registration. Those working towards their qualification do so while working in the centre, gaining real experience alongside their studies. All teaching staff, at every stage of their career, are supported by Bear Park's Curriculum and Operations team.
Bear Park St Heliers welcomes children from 3 months to 5 years. 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.
Book a tour at Bear Park St Heliers 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.
