Bear Park Early Childcare Centre in Henderson is a purpose-built early learning centre at 64 to 68 Summerland Drive, next door to Summerland Primary School and close to Waitakere Hospital and WestCity Waitakere. It has five classrooms, and takes children from three months through to school age. It is open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm.
The centre's main feature is its garden, where children tend plants, share the harvest and learn daily habits of respect for the environment. There are also secret garden spaces and nature-rich outdoor areas, and the team describes the aim as raising young guardians of the natural world. Its teachers draw on Reggio Emilia, the RIE approach and Te Whāriki, and the multilingual team values each child's language and background. Infant and toddler rooms each have their own experienced kaiako.
At least 80% of the teaching team hold an ECE or primary teaching qualification at NZQA Level 7 or above, and all are registered with the Teaching Council. The centre offers the 20 Hours ECE subsidy for children aged three to five. Fee schedules are supplied on request from the centre director, and tours can be booked on the website.
Parents who have written say their children are happy and well cared for, that the teachers are warm and approachable, and that the outdoor area is shaded and clean. One family says three children moved on to school well prepared after attending.