Childcare Port Stephens and Mid Coast

Why choose St Nicholas for childcare in Port Stephens?

Families trust St Nicholas for our dedication to exceptional early education and care. Our childcare centres in Port Stephens are more than just facilities—they are vibrant, inclusive communities where children grow, learn, and develop skills for a bright future.

What sets us apart:

• Comprehensive services: From infancy to school age, we provide continuity of care through our early education centres and OOSH services.
• High-quality early education and care: Our play-based programs are based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time, Our Place (MTOP) Framework for School-Aged Care. These encourage each child’s development, equipping them with the social, emotional, and cognitive tools they need to succeed.
• Purposefully designed environments: Our services feature thoughtfully crafted spaces that inspire creativity and provide quality learning opportunities.
• Experienced educators: Dedicated educators foster warm relationships and active engagement in our learning programs.
• Affordable care: All services are Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved, making high-quality care more accessible for families.
• Convenient locations and hours: Our centres in Port Stephens, including Nelson Bay, operate extended hours 51 weeks a year, helping families balance work and family life.

To learn more about why families choose St Nicholas, visit our ‘Why choose St Nicks?’ page.

Port Stephens early learning

At St Nicholas Early Education, we understand that early childhood is a vital period for lifelong learning. Our Port Stephens early learning centres and preschool programs nurture the potential of children aged 0-5 through child-led, play-based learning, fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Through tailored experiences, we empower children to:

• Develop socially and emotionally
• Explore their interests in safe, nurturing environments
• Build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Daycare and nursery programs 

Our daycare in Port Stephens includes specialised nursery programs for infants and toddlers aged 0-2. These programs focus on sensory play, early communication, and motor development, laying the foundation for healthy growth in a trusted, nurturing environment.

Preschool program 

The Port Stephens preschool program supports children aged 3-5 as they prepare for school. Emphasising hands-on, inquiry-based learning, the program develops early literacy, numeracy, social skills, and problem-solving abilities, ensuring a smooth transition to primary school.

To learn more about St Nicholas Early Education, visit our Early Education page.

Port Stephens OOSH programs

Our OOSH services in Port Stephens offer before- and after-school care designed to support busy families. Programs include enriching activities like creative arts, sports, and collaborative projects in safe, inclusive environments.

Benefits of our OOSH services:

• Flexible care options: Tailored to align effortlessly with your family’s schedule.
• Exciting experiences: From arts and sports to collaborative projects that foster creativity and teamwork.
• Safe, nurturing environments: Spaces where children can confidently explore, connect, and thrive.

To learn more about St Nicholas OOSH, visit our OOSH page.

Port Stephens Vacation Care

School holidays are a time for fun and learning at our vacation care programs in Port Stephens. Tailored for school-age children, activities include creative arts, STEM challenges, and exciting excursions across the Port Stephens area.

Why families choose our Vacation Care:

• Active engagement: Ensuring children remain engaged, stimulated, and entertained throughout the holidays.
• Skill enrichment: Offering activities that foster social, cognitive, and physical development.
• Trusted care: Provided by compassionate, experienced educators prioritising your child’s wellbeing.

To learn more about St Nicholas OOSH Vacation Care, visit our Vacation Care page.

Thoughtfully designed daycare and OOSH services in Port Stephens

Our Port Stephens daycare centres are thoughtfully designed to inspire, engage, and support your child’s growth. Key features of our services include:

• Architecturally designed daycare centres: Creating an inspiring, creative, and safe environment that fosters exploration and development.
• Natural outdoor play spaces: Encouraging children to connect with nature and engage in active, outdoor learning.
• Spacious indoor environments: Designed for both collaborative and independent learning, allowing children to thrive in a variety of learning settings.
• Quality resources: Providing carefully selected educational materials that enhance play-based and intentional learning experiences.
• Powered by 100% green energy: Promoting environmental sustainability and instilling eco-conscious values in young learners.

Supporting families and communities in Port Stephens

At St Nicholas, we believe in partnering with families to ensure every child receives the best care and support. From flexible care options to tailored learning programs, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact in the Port Stephens community.

Our commitment to Port Stephens families includes:

• Flexible care options: Providing long daycare, OOSH, and vacation care to suit the varied schedules of families.
• Support for families: Offering guidance and resources to assist parents in navigating their child’s early developmental years.
• Commitment to educational excellence: Delivering professional learning opportunities to continually enhance the quality of care we provide.

Conveniently located childcare services in Port Stephens 

With several centres across Port Stephens, St Nicholas makes it easy for families to access top-quality daycare, preschool, OOSH programs, and vacation care services.

Our conveniently located centres ensure that your family has access to early education and care options that meet your needs, all in one place.

Whether you’re looking for daycare, preschool, or before and after school care, our Port Stephens services are just around the corner.

To find your local St Nicholas service, visit our ‘Find a service’ page. 

Join our Port Stephens community

At St Nicholas, we are passionate about providing high-quality childcare to Port Stephens families, including Nelson Bay, offering tailored programs that support your child’s growth and development. From daycare and preschool to out-of-school-hours care (OOSH), we create safe, inclusive, and inspiring environments where children from the Port Stephens area can flourish.

Contact us 

Explore the difference St Nicholas can make for your family. Visit our Port Stephens early learning centres today or reach out to learn more about our daycare, preschool, and OOSH services. Together, let’s inspire a lifelong love of learning and create a brighter future for your child.

To find out more or book a tour, visit our visit our enquiry page.