Karina, the founder, had been searching for a bright, sunlit, stimulating daycare with teachers that would love her newborn son as much as she did. After many daycare tours and interviews she could not get past the business-like feeling. Big, age-separated spaces were too focused on being ready for school and seemed to miss the human aspect.
There was just nothing that matched her dream… So she decided to create her own!
Karina launched the first Koala Park focusing on the teachers, the environment, and the family relationships to create a loving nurturing space. She went back to college for her Masters in early childhood development which allowed her to create the Koala Park method – a practical means to infuse love into our program. Her husband’s childhood daycare back in Australia inspired a heavy focus on community and lasting relationships. Our relationships with our families are transparent and extend past closing time and childrens graduation.
Our culture around continuous improvement resulted in highly qualified staff who are with us long term, Koala Park has sponsored local races and soccer teams. We have partnered with local restaurants for date nights and brought in local foundations and businesses as experiences for the children. Karina became heavily involved in the local community leading government projects to lift the town of Tuckahoe and serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce.
Not only did that original Australian daycare influence our relationships with families and community, it also influenced our name.
Koala Park’s passion can be seen in the way parents, children and staff feel being part of our community. It has become more than daycare, it’s a home away from home. A place where you can feel confident we will love your child as much as you do.
Built on a foundation of family values and LOVE.
Simply put, our mission is to put LOVE back into childcare.
At Koala Park Daycare, we are on a mission to disrupt what early childhood care currently looks like. There is a huge push for academics and kindergarten readiness. While educating, teaching and learning is important, its LOVE , affection, nurturing, kisses, hugs, listening and being responsive to a child’s needs that are the most important things a young growing child needs most to succeed.
Come join the movement!
Schedule a tour & come visit us!
Hours of Operation
7.30am – 6pm
Serving Lower Westchester – Eastchester, Crestwood, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Fleetwood, Yonkers, White Plains and surrounding neighborhoods. Walking distance to the Metro North Tuckahoe & Crestwood train stations.
Hours of Operation
7.30am – 6pm
Serving Lower Westchester – Eastchester, Crestwood, Tuckahoe, Bronxville, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Fleetwood, Yonkers, White Plains and surrounding neighborhoods. Walking distance to the Metro North Tuckahoe & Crestwood train stations.
Stay tuned for more locations opening up soon near you. We are on a mission to spread the LOVE!
The team at Koala Park Daycare are the most important part of our Daycare
Each team member has been through a rigorous hiring process to ensure they are the best fit for the Koala Park Method. Our team undertakes 36+ hours a year in training, training that will often happen together as a team and use real life situations to make sure development is actionable immediately. Everyone is certified in infant, child, and adult CPR, AED, and Health and First Aid.
The Team culture is supportive, high energy, open communication, fun and love. We live and breathe the Koala Park Method injecting love, community and empowerment in everything we do. We host monthly staff meetings, outings, offsites, and themed contests and events to ensure our team feels valued and seen. We also love finding opportunities to make a difference & get involved in our community by volunteering and giving back, together as a team.
It’s our team that creates the confident, happy humans that inspire us every day.