Backyard Bears originated as
a family owned business in the backyard of our home located in New Bern,
North Carolina. The historic building was built in 1880 as a doctors office,
later to become an engineering firm. The building sat dormant until
1992, when it was remodeled for a retail store in the Tyron Palace historic
district of down town New Bern. The idea was a Teddy Bear Shop with a
complete assortment of specialty bears and bear memorabilia. With
the original sales of Teddy Bears and the new craze of Beanie Babies,
the shop has been a national success in it's own limited stuffed animal
market. In June of 1996 the idea of retiring early from corporate
America and establishing a unique day school facility came about.
Using the family name Backyard Bears in conjunction with a pre-k program,
Dianne Henry - President of Henry Ventures Inc. started the first of two
"Backyard Bears Day Schools" in Tampa Bay.
 ( Dianne Henry ) The schools have a minimum of one acre play grounds with trike paths, cross fenced to provide age appropriate play areas and more! The facilities are licensed for a total of 228 children and our record shows we have become a leader in the day school community. Recognized by child care licensing as high compliance centers. Working with Southeastern Nova University in the corporate "Stride for quality program", we have developed a true foot hold in the child development program. |
The
"Shop" ~ New Bern, North Carolina
(Click the door to enter)
Backyard
Bears Day School I
Tampa, Florida
