Our Centre
From the moment they walk through the stained-glass front door, parents and children know they’ve arrived somewhere special.
Bear Park Epsom, affectionately known by teachers and families as ‘Patey Street’, is housed in a grand homestead standing proud on a lovely hill, surrounded by more than 2000 square metres of land. Our environment is welcoming, spacious and enchanted; a haven for children and teachers alike. Striking yet homely, the homestead’s interior has been carefully maintained to reflect the period in which it was built. Bay windows spill sunlight into rooms, sleeping spaces are tucked away in the heart of the villa for peaceful quiet sleep, and high ceilings, chandeliers and kauri panelling in the hallways speak to our families and teachers of magical eras gone by.
Our luxury of land in such a central location makes our Epsom centre a true oasis in the city: gardens are expansive, big trees provide shade and dappled sunlight, and hedging and shrubs invite children to build worlds for make-believe play. At Bear Park Epsom, imagination is never far away.
A Foundation for Friendship
We’re committed to creating wonderful, nurturing childhoods, based on respectful relationships and a powerful image of the child.
Our Children
We take delight in watching the older children care for the younger children – supporting them, looking out for them and embracing the value of tuakana-teina.
Our Teachers
We provide a warm and intimate setting, where our teachers pride themselves on knowing every person who walks through the door: children, parents and whānau alike.
Our History
A grand central hallway reflecting years past connects each classroom, offering endless opportunities for children to encounter their friends in all age groups.
Our Focus
Our classroom spaces are carefully created to promote relationship building and collaborative learning. We provide a vast selection of natural and recycled materials to provoke creative thinking, problem solving and imagination.
Epsom Childcare Team
Children are welcomed into the Fantail room where we offer a peaceful, respectful, caring and nurturing environment. In the early years it is important to develop strong, meaningful relationships with the people around them as they are building confidence in their own abilities. Establishing a partnership between families and teachers is essential to follow through with familiar routines from home and form respectful, open communication to allow a smooth transition.
We believe that children should be given the time and space to explore the world around them at their own pace. We see children as individuals and want to support them as they learn about the world around them in their own unique ways. It is in this room that we wish to establish the foundations for confident, competent life long learners.
We both believe that children are all unique individuals that learn and grow at their own pace. Children should always be supported and empowered, in an environment that encourages curiosity, wonder and challenge.
Developing meaningful partnerships with the children and their families is something we strongly value, and strive for. Trust, honesty and open collaboration between the child, teacher and family/whanau, is key to ensure everyone feels respected and empowered. Creating a strong sense of belonging, and a high quality learning environment is paramount in the Kea room.
The Tui teaching team believe that all children are capable of achieving anything they put their minds to with the right support and guidance, not only from their teachers but also their peers. We believe responsive, well thought out and reflective planning is of vital importance in ensuring that we, as teachers, guide children towards their individual potential. In the Tui environment learning and development is a journey of discovery, exploration, imagination and adventure. The social and emotional well-being of a child is at the heart of all learning. It is imperative to provide an environment that fosters learning, is full of stimulation, laughter and creativity that will inspire and engage children’s minds, curiosity and promote a positive self-image. A safe, secure environment where social, caring and reciprocal relationships are formed between children, educators, parents and whanau is paramount.
In the Tui room, we believe it is important that the tamariki take ownership of their environment and relish in the responsibility given to them, ensuring the development of confident, capable, independent world-wise learners.
As a kaiako in Aotearoa, We believe it is our responsibility to honour our nation’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We believe we can do this by being committed bicultural kaiako. Tamariki should have many opportunities to learn and explore Kaupapa Māori. We will in the best of our ability ensure that we as a team are continuously upholding Te Tiriti o Waiting by ensuring that the curriculum reflects the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua. We believe it is important that the curriculum must also encourage children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the cultural heritages of both parties to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Centre Information
- Epsom, 7 Patey Street, Epsom, Auckland
- 7.30am to 6.00pm daily, Monday to Friday
Centre Owner:
Sue Stevely-Cole
Centre Director:
Tessa Hewitt-Cole
Phone:
(09) 520 6661
Age of children catered for:
3 months to 5 years olds
Licence:
50 children
Centre Information
- Epsom, 7 Patey Street, Epsom, Auckland
- 7.30am to 6.00pm daily, Monday to Friday
Centre Owner:
Sue Stevely-Cole
Centre Director:
Juliet Smith
Phone:
(09) 520 6661
Age of children catered for:
3 months to 5 years olds
Licence:
50 children