Maitland Childcare and Early Learning

24 Hunter St, Maitland, 2320
(02) 4931 1210 Book a tour Enquire now
Child and educator playing outside at Maitland early education centre

Quality childcare and preschool programs in Maitland

St Nicholas Early Education Maitland is an 82-place early education and care centre located in the heart of Maitland’s city centre. Our Maitland childcare centre opened in 2020 to an incredible response from the local community, leading to St Nicholas’ decision to extend the centre’s licensed places from 70 to 82 in early 2022.

Our early learning centre offers exceptional daycare in Maitland, providing children with an enriching early childhood education experience. Our passionate educators are committed to supporting every child’s development, helping them unleash their full potential through a mix of quality education and care.

Our Maitland preschool program ensures that children are well-prepared for their primary school years, fostering the growth of foundational skills and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives.

Our unique outdoor play environment features a mix of natural and man-made equipment, designed to stimulate children’s curiosity and exploration. This inviting space encourages children of all age groups to engage in creative play, physical activity, and social interaction.

As part of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, St Nicholas Early Education Maitland offers families a connected educational pathway, with *greater priority enrolment at nearby Catholic schools such as St John the Baptist’s Primary School, Maitland, and St Joseph’s Primary School, East Maitland. This is further supported by our highly regarded Transition to School program for preschool children, ensuring a smooth transition from early childhood education to primary school.

  • Gallery
  • Fees and inclusions
  • Centre Director
  • Learning pathway
Child and educator playing on a climbing structure at Maitland early education centre
Children and educator in sandpit at Maitland early education centre
Children on a swing together at Maitland early education centre
Child climbing outside at Maitland early education centre
Children and educator playing in water fountain at Maitland early education centre
Children tending to gardens at Maitland early education centre
Fees

Kuwaran (0 – 2 years) – $157.50
Palkirr (2 – 3 years) – $156.50
Pilapay (3 – 4 years) – $148.00
Kukuyn (4 – 5 years) – $148.00

For personalised fee information, you can contact our friendly Admin and Client Services Team on (02) 4979 1110

Inclusions
Out-of-pocket cost 

It only takes a few minutes to estimate your Child Care Subsidy. Use Services Australia’s Child Care Subsidy estimator to find out how much your family could claim – click here.

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.

Make an enquiry

  • Early Education
  • OOSH
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By entering your details you are registering your interest in enrolling your child. One of our friendly staff will be in touch shortly.

 

Are you interested in Before and After School Care or Vacation Care?

 

Before and After School Care

Vacation Care

 

Submit an enrolment request for Before and After School Care or Vacation Care. One of our friendly team members will be in touch as soon as possible.

Please note:

  • Submitting an enrolment request or enquiry does not constitute a confirmed enrolment or booking. No enrolment or booking is confirmed until you have received confirmation from St Nicholas.

  • For casual and Vacation Care bookings, we have a 5-day cancellation policy, after which the parent/carer will be liable for their full fees for that session. For permanent bookings, we have a 2-week cancellation policy.

  • One-off cancellations for permanent bookings still require the parent/carer to pay their full fees for that session, unless the cancellation is permanent, in which case the family will forfeit their permanent place for that session.

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  • Why choose us?
  • Our approach
  • Our commitment

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I enrol my child at St Nicholas Early Education Maitland? 

    Start by completing our enrolment expression of interest form, located on this page. Once submitted, a member of our Maitland team will contact you to guide you through the enrolment process and answer any questions you may have.

  • What is your catchment area?

    We accept enrolments from Maitland and surrounding areas, including East Maitland, and Rutherford.

  • What age groups does St Nicholas Early Education Maitland cater for?

    Our Maitland childcare centre provides care for children aged 0-5 years, including a dedicated preschool program for children preparing for primary school. Each age group has its own room and play area so children can mix with their peers and build connections. Our outdoor play areas have age-appropriate facilities, including balancing and climbing equipment.

  • Is St Nicholas Early Education Maitland eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?

    Yes, we are an approved childcare provider, and families may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy to reduce the cost of care.

  • What makes St Nicholas Early Education Maitland’s preschool program unique?

    Our preschool program is tailored to prepare children for a smooth transition to primary school, focusing on developing essential literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Our educators will help your child prepare academically and socially for primary school, so they know what to expect when they transition.

  • Does St Nicholas Early Education Maitland offer vacation care?

    While our Maitland centre does not offer vacation care, our nearby St Nicholas OOSH service at St John the Baptist Primary School provides vacation care services during school holidays for school-aged children.

For a full list of St Nicholas frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page.