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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.
Bear Park St Clair is a Reggio-inspired early learning centre at 10 Hobson Street, Bear Park's only South Island home, caring for tamariki aged 3 months to 5 years from St Clair, St Kilda, South Dunedin and across Dunedin.
The original character of the property is celebrated throughout, including the custom-made 1930s sundial in the outdoor area that delights infants and toddlers. 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.
Expansive lawns, a working garden and vegetable plots let children plant, tend and discover the seasons. An on-site chef prepares nutritious meals from a menu designed by paediatric dietician Rebecca Bruce, making mealtimes part of the learning day.
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.
Director nameCentre Director · St Clair
★ 5.0 average · 5 Google reviews
"Bear Park has a wonderful environment to nurture our children. Staff are well educated and genuinely care for the children they look after."
Jacalyn GreyParent · 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 HarveyParent · St Clair
"It is very good for learning. My child loved going there and learned a lot here."
Alena DzenisevichParent · 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.
For current fees, please get in touch with Bear Park St Clair. We also participate in the Government's 20 Hours ECE programme, which provides eligible three- and four-year-olds with 20 subsidised hours of early learning per week.
Bear Park St Clair is at 10 Hobson Street, St Clair, Dunedin 9012. St Clair Beach is a 3 minute walk, with the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool right next door. 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.
Contact the Bear Park St Clair team to ask about current availability. Spaces are limited and do fill up, so we recommend reaching out sooner rather than later.
Head to bearpark.co.nz, click Book a Tour and select Bear Park St Clair to find a time that works for your whānau. Want to learn more before you visit? Download our Parents Guide from the website.
Book a tour
Free, about 45 minutes, and it asks nothing of you. This is your time to see Bear Park's philosophy in practice.
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