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
Discover Children’s Ark, a Torbay and Long Bay early learning centre where every child is known, cared for and encouraged to grow
Experienced, qualified teachers, play-based learning and extensive natural outdoor spaces for children aged 0 to 5. Located in Torbay and welcoming families from Long Bay and nearby North Shore communities.
- Visit before you decide, meet the teachers and ask anything
- Experienced, qualified teachers, a stable team and staffing above minimum requirements
- Trusted, excellent reputation since 1987.
- Extensive natural outdoor spaces used every day
2025 ERO: Excelling in all areas
Established in 1987
An early learning centre on Glenvar Road for over 35 years, sheltered gardens away from the main road.
Over 100+ years combined experience
Experienced, qualified teachers and a stable, long-serving team.
Staffed above the minimum
More opportunities for teachers to give individual attention.
Te Whāriki aligned
Play-based learning built on each child's strengths.
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
Experienced, qualified teachers, a stable team and staffing above minimum requirements, which gives teachers more opportunities to provide individual attention. Some teachers have been at the centre for more than 10 years, and others started out as parents who completed training and joined the team, helping provide familiarity and continuity as your child settles in.
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 a big 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 a strong emphasis on natural, open-ended resources so play stretches their imagination.
Values That Put Care First
Children's Ark is proudly guided by Christian values, including kindness, compassion, respect and care. Families from all cultures, beliefs and backgrounds are warmly welcomed.
Honest answers
Choosing an Early Learning Centre 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?
The centre staffs above the minimum requirement, giving teachers more opportunities to provide individual attention. Ask the team about your child's room when you visit.
Will they have the same teachers from week to week?
The teaching team is stable and long-serving, 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?
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. Social self-regulation and independence skills are a big focus at Children's Ark.
Are places available for my child's age group?
Availability varies by age group and the days required. Contact our team to discuss your family's needs and we will confirm what is available for the days you need.
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. Availability varies by age group and the days required, so it is worth asking about your child's needs.
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 problem solving built into everyday play
- Working with others, negotiating building self-regulation skills
- 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 anything you would like our team to know. It takes about one minute.
- 2
We Get in Touch
Our team will contact you to discuss availability and arrange a suitable time to visit, 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 Families Say About Children's Ark
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
Some testimonials have been edited for length.
Inside the centre
Natural Spaces, Real Resources, Plenty of Room to Play
A strong emphasis on natural, open-ended resources, gardens and worm farms tended with the children, and an extensive outdoor environment used every day.
- A strong emphasis on natural, open-ended resources, with gardens and worm farms tended alongside the children.
- Outdoor play in the extensive natural environment is part of every day, not a break from learning.
- Learning builds on each child's strengths rather than a one-size-fits-all programme.
- Families are encouraged to visit, observe and ask questions at any stage.
- Communication with parents and caregivers is valued, and the team is responsive to a child's or familes needs.
- Time set aside for parent teacher consultations twice a year.
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
How experienced is the teaching team?
Experienced, qualified teachers with more than 100 years of combined experience between them. Ask to meet the team in your child's room on your visit.
- 02
How long have the teachers been here?
The team is stable and long-serving, including teachers who have been at the centre for more than 10 years.
- 03
How is the centre staffed?
Children's Ark staffs above the minimum requirement, giving teachers more opportunities to provide individual attention.
- 04
How much outdoor time will my child get?
Outdoor play is an important 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 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
How long has the centre been running?
Children's Ark was established as an early learning centre in 1987 and has been part of the Torbay/Long Bay community ever since.
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.
Photos only tell you so much. Come and see the space, meet the teachers and watch how the day actually runs.
Request a Centre VisitTakes about one minute. No obligation to enrol.
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 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 proudly guided by Christian values, including kindness, compassion, respect and care. Families from all cultures, beliefs and backgrounds are warmly welcomed.
Are places currently available?
Availability changes by age group and the days required. Contact our team and we will confirm what may suit your family.
Which areas do families come from?
Children's Ark is on Glenvar Road in Torbay and welcomes families from Long Bay, Waiake, Browns Bay, Northcross, Okura and nearby North Shore communities.
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 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?
Submitting the form requests contact from our team. It does not confirm a visit or reserve a place. We will be in touch to discuss availability and arrange a suitable time to visit. If you would rather talk first, call 09 473 0242 during centre hours.
Come and see it for yourself
One minute to enquire, no obligation to enrol. Our team will contact you to discuss availability and arrange a suitable time to visit.
Next step
Come and See Children's Ark in Torbay
Availability varies by age group and the days required. Contact our team to discuss your family's needs, or call the centre during opening hours.
- 282 Glenvar Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630
- 09 473 0242
- The visit request form is the best way to contact our team.
- Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm