Maitland Childcare and Early Learning

Centre Director – Lucy Williams

Lucy, our passionate and dedicated Centre Director at St Nicholas Early Education Maitland, is a familiar face to many of our Maitland families. Having been part of the centre team for many years, she has built strong relationships within our community.

Lucy began her journey at St Nicholas Maitland as a Certificate III Trainee and has since completed both her Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Through various formative roles—including most recently as Assistant Director—she has gained extensive experience and a deep understanding of early childhood education.

One of Lucy’s greatest joys is nurturing children from nursery through to primary school, celebrating their milestones alongside families and witnessing their growth. Her leadership style reflects this passion, as she is committed to empowering both children and educators to flourish. Inspired by the mentors who guided her, Lucy fosters a supportive and nurturing team environment where everyone can reach their full potential.

Lucy strongly values connection and community, regularly seeking opportunities for children to engage with the world around them. Whether visiting an art gallery, exploring local murals, or supporting small businesses, she ensures Maitland learners are actively discovering, connecting, and growing.

Priority enrolment at Catholic Schools

Each St Nicholas Early Education centre is connected to Catholic primary schools in its region, which then feed into designated Catholic secondary schools. Enrolling with us provides your child with a structured educational pathway, supported by our priority enrolment advantage.

To learn more, please refer to the full Catholic Schools Enrolment Policy.

Why choose St Nicholas Early Education Maitland?

Choosing St Nicholas Early Education Maitland ensures your child receives high-quality care, supported by a range of features that set us apart:

• Nurturing environment: We create a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe and valued, fostering positive social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Experienced and dedicated educators: Our educators are highly skilled and continuously develop professionally, ensuring high-quality care and a strong educational foundation for your child.
• Local community focus: As part of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, we have strong connections within the local community and offer priority enrolment at nearby Catholic schools, helping provide a smooth educational pathway for your child.
• Tailored preschool program: Our preschool program is designed to prepare children for a successful transition to primary school, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and social skills that they will use throughout their educational journey.
• State-of-the-art facilities: From our expansive outdoor play area to our warm, open plan playrooms, we provide a rich learning environment for children to explore, learn, and grow.
• Nutritious meals and snacks: Your child will be fuelled by deliciously, freshly prepared food throughout the day.

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

Comprehensive early childhood education in Maitland

At St Nicholas Early Education Maitland, we focus on providing comprehensive early childhood education tailored to meet the needs of all children, from toddlers to preschoolers. Our curriculum is designed to support early learning and development, with an emphasis on:

• Child-centred learning: We offer a curriculum that is child-led and supports the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, ensuring that each child’s individual needs are met.
• Integrated early education: Our comprehensive programs support a seamless transition from infant care to preschool, with developmentally appropriate practices that guide children from their early years through to their preparation for primary school.
• Focus on the whole child: We aim to nurture children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development through fun and play, ensuring they are well-rounded and ready for their next stage in education.
• Family-centred approach: We recognise the importance of working in partnership with families, offering regular updates, feedback, and access to resources to ensure that children’s learning and development are supported at home and in our care.
• Child Care Subsidy: Every child deserves child care excellence. We strive to make quality child care accessible, with the Child Care Subsidy available to help families with the cost of early childhood education and care.

Our commitment to Maitland families

At St Nicholas Early Education Maitland, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and education to every child. We understand that choosing the right childcare and early education service is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, and we are committed to providing a nurturing environment that supports both the needs of your child and your family.

Our educators focus on fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging with each child, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued. We create an environment where children can thrive, supported by a comprehensive curriculum that embraces all aspects of early childhood development.

Being part of the Maitland community is central to our values, and we continuously work to ensure that our services are accessible and beneficial to local families. We aim to build strong connections with parents, schools, and the broader community to create a seamless pathway from early learning to primary school.