Bee Room
Babies and children under 2
- Settled, unhurried routines for sleeping, feeding and comfort
- A protected free play space where new movers can explore safely
- Close, responsive relationships with familiar teachers
A Torbay Early Learning Centre Where Your Child Is Known,
Cared For and Free to Grow
Qualified, stable teachers, play based learning and extensive natural outdoor spaces for children aged 0 to 5.
- Torbay, Auckland
- Ages 0 to 5
- 2025 ERO report
- Mon to Fri, 7:30am to 5:30pm
- Visit before you decide, meet the teachers and ask anything
- 100% qualified teachers in every room, with above minimum ratios
- Extensive natural outdoor spaces used every day
- Trusted by Torbay and North Shore families
2025 ERO report
100% qualified teachers
Every room is staffed with fully qualified teachers.
Long serving team
Some teachers have been here more than 10 years.
Te Whāriki aligned
Play based learning built on each child's strengths.
Torbay community centre
A community based centre on Glenvar Road.
Natural outdoor learning
Daily outdoor play in an extensive natural environment.
Why families choose us
Why Parents Choose Children's Ark
Four things parents tell us make the difference once their child starts.
Teachers Who Really Know Your Child
Every room is staffed with fully qualified teachers and the team runs above minimum teacher to child ratios, because smaller groups mean more attention for your child. The team is stable, with some teachers here for more than 10 years, so your child sees familiar faces and settles faster.
Learning Built Around Their Interests
The programme is based on Te Whāriki, the New Zealand early childhood curriculum, and builds on each child's strengths and interests. Children make their own play choices and are supported to experiment, explore and extend their thinking, so learning feels like something they want to do.
Room to Explore Outdoors
Outside play is part of the curriculum, not a break from it. Children engage with the centre's extensive natural environment every day, with gardens, worm farms and natural, open ended resources chosen over plastic so play stretches their imagination.
Values That Put Care First
Children's Ark is a community based centre that affirms Christian values and beliefs, and those values show up as kindness, care and respect for every child. You do not need to be a Christian family to enrol or to feel welcome here. Children and families from all backgrounds are part of the centre.
Honest answers
Choosing Childcare Should Not Feel Like a Leap of Faith
These are the questions parents ask us most often. Here is where Children's Ark stands, and what you can check for yourself on a visit.
Will my child receive enough individual attention?
Each room is staffed with fully qualified teachers, giving above minimum teacher to child ratios. The centre chooses higher ratios because they make it possible to notice, respond to and follow each child. Ask to see the ratios in your child's room when you visit.
Will they have the same teachers from week to week?
The teaching team is stable, including teachers who have been at the centre for more than 10 years. That continuity means your child builds a real relationship with people who know their routines, not a new face every few months.
Will they be learning as well as playing?
Both, and they are the same thing here. The programme follows Te Whāriki and teachers plan from what each child is already interested in, so children are problem solving, creating and building language while they play.
Will our family feel welcome?
Children's Ark affirms Christian values and beliefs and welcomes families from different backgrounds and beliefs. Teachers work to make sure learning opportunities are not limited by age, gender, ability or background. Bring your questions to a visit and see how the centre feels for your family.
Can I see the centre and meet the teachers first?
Yes, and the team encourages it. Prospective families are invited to visit, meet the teachers, look around the rooms and outdoor spaces, and ask questions before making any decision.
Still have a question?
Bring it with you. A visit is the easiest way to see how the teachers work and whether the centre feels right for your family.
Three rooms
A Place for Every Stage
Children move through three rooms as they grow, each set up for what matters most at that age. Places are sometimes available immediately, and a waiting list operates when rooms are full, so it is worth asking about your child's age group.
Gecko Room
Around 2 years old
- Growing independence with eating, dressing and self care
- Language and early social skills through shared play
- Confidence to try, test and repeat new physical challenges
Kākāpō Room
Approximately 3 to 5 years old
- Early literacy, numeracy and thinking built into everyday play
- Working with others, negotiating and caring for younger children
- Curiosity through nature, science and open ended natural resources
Simple and low pressure
How a Centre Visit Works
Three steps, no pressure, and no commitment at the end of it.
- 1
Tell Us About Your Family
Fill in the short form with your child's age and the days you are thinking about. It takes about one minute.
- 2
We Arrange a Visit
The Children's Ark team will contact you to agree on a time that suits you, including a time of day when you can see the centre in full swing.
- 3
Meet the Teachers and Explore
Look through the rooms, see the outdoor spaces, meet the teachers and ask anything you like. There is no obligation to enrol after a visit.
From our families
What Torbay Parents Actually Say
Children's Ark is truly our home away from home. Our boys are content in their environment and each teacher has taken time building special relationships with them. Along with the natural, open-ended resources, the teachers truly make Children's Ark a childcare that children are excited to go to each day.
CCandiceChildren's Ark parent
1 / 5
Inside the centre
Natural Spaces, Real Resources, Plenty of Room to Play
Children's Ark chooses natural, open ended resources over plastic, tends gardens and worm farms with the children, and treats the outdoors as part of the classroom.
- Every child is treated as an individual, with their own interests, pace and routines.
- Families are encouraged to visit, observe and ask questions at any stage.
- Learning builds on each child's strengths rather than a one size fits all programme.
- Outdoor play in the natural environment is part of every day.
- Christian values guide the centre, and families from all backgrounds are welcome.
- Communication with parents and caregivers is valued, including when something needs to change.
Compare with confidence
Eight Questions Worth Asking
Any Early Learning Centre
Take this list to every centre you look at. Here are the Children's Ark answers, so you know exactly what to expect before you walk in.
- 01
Are all teachers fully qualified?
Each room is staffed with fully qualified teachers. Ask to see the current team makeup on your visit.
- 02
How long have the teachers been here?
The team is stable, including teachers who have been at the centre for more than 10 years.
- 03
What are the teacher to child ratios?
Children's Ark runs above the minimum required ratios, because smaller groups mean better care. Ask for the exact ratio in your child's room.
- 04
How much outdoor time will my child get?
Outdoor play is part of the daily curriculum and children engage with the extensive natural environment every day.
- 05
What is the learning philosophy?
Play based learning based on Te Whāriki, building on each child's strengths and interests rather than a fixed timetable of tasks.
- 06
How will I hear about my child's day?
Teachers share learning stories about children's daily adventures and talk with families directly. Ask to see examples during your visit.
- 07
Does the centre care for the environment?
Eco nappy services, worm farms and bokashi bins, a 2021 Auckland Zero Waste Awards commendation, and more than one tonne of food scraps diverted from landfill by 2022.
- 08
Can we visit before enrolling?
Yes. Prospective families are encouraged to visit, meet the teachers, look around and ask questions first.
Good to know
Common Questions
What ages does Children's Ark care for?
Children aged 0 to 5, across three rooms: Bee for babies and under 2s, Gecko for around 2 year olds, and Kākāpō for approximately 3 to 5 year olds.
Do we need to be Christian to enrol?
No. Children's Ark is a community based centre that affirms Christian values and beliefs, and families from different backgrounds and beliefs are welcome to enrol and to feel at home here.
Are places currently available?
Places are sometimes available immediately, and the centre operates a waiting list when rooms are full. Availability changes by room and age group, so ask about your child's age group when you enquire.
What happens during a centre visit?
You will meet teachers, walk through the rooms and outdoor spaces, see the resources children use, and have time to ask questions. There is no obligation to enrol afterwards.
What is the teaching philosophy?
Children learn best through play. The programme is based on Te Whāriki and builds on each child's strengths and interests, with children encouraged to make their own play choices and to explore, experiment and extend their thinking with teacher support.
What are the centre's opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm.
What should I include in my enquiry?
Your child's age or date of birth, the days you are likely to need, and a rough start date if you have one. Anything else you would like the team to know, such as allergies or settling concerns, is helpful too.
What happens after I submit the form?
A member of the Children's Ark team will contact you to arrange a visit at a time that suits. If you would rather talk first, call 09 473 0242 during centre hours.
A look around
Real Photos From Around the Centre
No stock photos. This is the sandpit, the art shack, the light table and the gardens your child would play in every day.
Book a visit and see it for yourself
One minute to enquire, no obligation to enrol. Meet the teachers, walk the rooms and ask us anything.
Next step
Come and See Children's Ark in Torbay
Places change through the year and rooms fill by age group. The quickest way to find out what is available for your child is to book a visit or call the centre.
- 282 Glenvar Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630
- 09 473 0242
- Enquiries are handled through the visit request form so nothing gets missed.
- Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm