Early Childhood and Childcare Jobs in Newcastle and the Hunter

Join St Nicholas across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, the Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast.

Childcare and Early Education Careers at St Nicholas

Build a rewarding career in early childhood education and care with St Nicholas. We employ Early Childhood Teachers, Certificate III and Diploma Educators, Centre Directors, OOSH Educators, Centre Cooks and support-office professionals across our growing network of early education centres and OOSH services.

Join a community-focused, not-for-profit organisation where your work supports children and families. Depending on the role, benefits include above-award conditions, a 50% discount on child care fees, employer-funded paid parental leave, paid professional learning and clear career pathways.

Search our current vacancies or register your interest in future opportunities.

Can’t see the right vacancy?

Join our talent pool for future early childhood, OOSH, leadership, cook and support office roles. Tell us your preferred role and location, and our recruitment team may contact you when a suitable opportunity becomes available.

Join our talent pool

Why work for us?
Career pathways
Professional learning
Culture and support
Join our team

Why work for us?

As an employee of St Nicholas, you gain access to a range of exclusive benefits designed to support your career, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Our team enjoys:

Competitive rate of pay
50% discount on child care fees for your children
Paid, sector-leading professional learning
Structured career development and progression pathways
Employer-funded Paid Parental Leave
Flexible working arrangements
Welcoming service environments powered by 100% renewable energy
Reduced gym membership with Fitness Passport
Generous referral bonuses – $1,000 ($1,500 for eligible positions)
Annual awards with exciting prizes
Wellness Package – Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and free flu injections
Salary packaging options
Up to 10% discounts at top retailers through our mnBenefits program
Generous resource budgets
Paid annual NESA accreditation fee for Early Childhood Teachers

If you are looking for an workplace that truly values its team, explore our current early childhood jobs and discover how we can support your professional journey. We believe in investing in our team members and providing them with the tools, training, and support they need to succeed. Our team members are not just educators—they are leaders, mentors, and advocates for quality early learning.

To learn more, visit our ‘Why work for us?’ page.

Career pathways

At St Nicholas, we believe in supporting career growth and development for educators. Whether you’re just starting in early education or are an experienced educator looking for new challenges, we provide structured career pathways to help you reach your goals. We offer multiple opportunities for career advancement, allowing you to move through different roles within our organisation.

Our career opportunities include:

Traineeships & Courses – Begin or progress in your career with hands-on experience while gaining a qualification.
Childcare Jobs – Support the learning and development of young children.
Early Childhood Teacher Jobs – Take on a teaching role and inspire young learners.
Educational Leader Jobs – Support and mentor educators, driving high-quality early childhood education practices across our services.
Centre Director and Area Service Manager Jobs – Lead a team and shape the future of early childhood education.
OOSH Jobs – Work in before and after school care and vacation care, supporting families beyond traditional early education settings.

Professional learning and development

Professional learning is at the core of our commitment to excellence in early childhood jobs and childcare jobs. We invest in our team through ongoing training, mentorship, and sector-leading development programs. Our professional learning opportunities are designed to help educators grow their skills, stay updated with sector best practices, and continuously improve the quality of education and care they provide.

Our educators have access to:

Paid professional learning opportunities tailored to individual career goals.
Specialist training programs in child development, pedagogy, and leadership.
ECT job support, including guidance and paid annual NESA accreditation fees.
Mentorship programs to help you grow within your role.
Workshops and conferences to keep you up to date with the latest sector trends.

To learn more, visit our Professional Learning page.

Culture and support

At St Nicholas, we take pride in fostering a workplace culture that is inclusive, collaborative, and supportive. We believe that a positive work environment leads to better outcomes for both educators and families. Our commitment to providing a rewarding workplace includes:

Work-life balance initiatives – We offer flexible working arrangements to help you balance your professional and personal life.
Collaborative team culture – Work alongside passionate educators who share your commitment to quality early learning and care.
Recognition and rewards – We celebrate achievements and acknowledge the contributions of our team members through awards and other incentives that recognise your efforts.
State-of-the-art facilities – Our contemporary learning environments located across Newcastle, Maitland, and the Hunter provide the best tools and resources to support innovative educational practices.
Community engagement opportunities – Be part of a team that makes a meaningful impact on children, families, and communities.

Our goal is to create a workplace where educators feel valued, empowered, and motivated to make a difference in the lives of young children. When you join St Nicholas, you become part of a team dedicated to shaping the future of early childhood education.

To learn more, visit our Commitment to Educators page.

Find childcare and OOSH jobs near you

If you are passionate about early childhood education and looking for a supportive workplace that values its employees, we want to hear from you! Whether you’re interested in childcare jobs, early childhood jobs, ECT jobs, OOSH jobs, or any other role within early childhood education and care, St Nicholas offers a rewarding career path.

Browse our current vacancies and apply today to become part of a team dedicated to providing quality education and care. The next step in your early childhood career journey starts here!

At St Nicholas, we are not just offering jobs—we are offering careers filled with opportunities, growth, and purpose. Apply today and take the next step toward a fulfilling and impactful career in early childhood education!

Our roles

A career Early Childhood Educator with St Nicholas Early Education interacting with a child

Quicklinks

Why work for us?

Professional Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What early childhood and childcare jobs are available at St Nicholas?

St Nicholas offers a range of early childhood education and care careers, including Early Childhood Teacher, Certificate III and Diploma Educator, Centre Director, Educational Leader, Centre Cook, trainee and support-office roles. Current opportunities vary by location, employment type and qualification requirements.
Where does St Nicholas offer early childhood and childcare jobs?

We offer early childhood and childcare jobs across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Singleton, Muswellbrook, the Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast. Explore our current vacancies to find opportunities near you.
What qualifications do I need to become an Early Childhood Educator?

Qualification requirements depend on the position. Most Early Childhood Educator roles require an ACECQA-approved Certificate III or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, along with a Working with Children Check and relevant first aid and child protection training. Each vacancy lists its specific requirements.
What qualifications do I need for an Early Childhood Teacher job?

Early Childhood Teacher roles generally require an ACECQA-approved early childhood teaching qualification and NSW teacher accreditation. St Nicholas also welcomes applications from eligible candidates who are currently working towards their teaching qualification.
Can I start an early childhood career without a qualification?

Yes. St Nicholas Pathways offers traineeship opportunities that allow you to gain practical experience while completing a recognised early childhood education and care qualification. Availability varies throughout the year.
What qualifications do I need for an OOSH job?

Qualification requirements vary across OOSH Educator, Assistant and Nominated Supervisor roles. Some positions require an approved school-age education and care qualification, while others may be suitable for applicants with relevant experience and the required checks and training. Review the individual vacancy for full details.
Does St Nicholas offer part-time, casual and flexible jobs?

Yes. Depending on current service needs, St Nicholas offers full-time, part-time, temporary and casual positions across Early Education, OOSH and Support Office teams. Employment type and working hours are listed in each vacancy.
What employee benefits does St Nicholas offer?

Depending on the role, St Nicholas employees may receive competitive wages, a 50% discount on child care fees, employer-funded paid parental leave, paid professional learning, flexible working arrangements, salary packaging, Fitness Passport access and structured career development opportunities.
What professional development is available at St Nicholas?

St Nicholas provides paid professional learning, mentoring and development opportunities across early childhood practice, pedagogy, child development and leadership. Early Childhood Teachers also receive support with NESA accreditation, including payment of eligible annual accreditation fees.
Do I need to be Catholic to work at St Nicholas?

No. St Nicholas welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds who are committed to supporting our values, Catholic ethos and dedication to delivering safe, inclusive and high-quality education and care.
How do I apply for a job at St Nicholas?

Browse our current vacancies, select the role that interests you and complete the online application. You will generally be asked to provide your contact details, résumé and information about your qualifications and experience.
Can I register my interest if there are no suitable vacancies?

Yes. You can join our talent pool and tell us your preferred role, employment type and location. Our recruitment team may contact you when a suitable early childhood, OOSH, leadership, cook or support-office opportunity becomes available.