Raymond Terrace Childcare and Early Learning

20a Kangaroo St, Raymond Terrace, 2324
(02) 4988 5200 Book a tour Enquire now
Children and educator interacting inside at Raymond Terrace early education centre

Quality childcare and preschool service in Raymond Terrace

St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace is a 110-place early education and care centre that has been rated as ‘Exceeding’ the National Quality Standards by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). Our Raymond Terrace early education centre prioritises working closely with children and families to tailor programs to each child’s unique needs, strengths, and interests.

As part of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, St Nicholas Raymond Terrace offers families a connected educational pathway, including priority enrolment at nearby Catholic schools such as St Brigid’s Primary School, Raymond Terrace, and Catherine McAuley Primary School, Medowie (coming soon). Our highly regarded Transition to School program ensures preschool children build a solid foundation for their educational journey.

Notable features of our Raymond Terrace childcare service include its warm, home-like indoor spaces and outdoor learning environments, an intergenerational partnership with Raymond Terrace Gardens Aged Care across the road, and a dedicated, highly qualified team of educators committed to providing quality care and building meaningful relationships. We welcome families from the Port Stephens community, including those from Williamtown RAAF, offering long day care services that foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose for every child.

 

  • Gallery
  • Fees and inclusions
  • Centre Director
  • Learning pathways
  • New outdoor environments
Children and educator painting together at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Children and educator reading together at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Child and educator painting together at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Educator putting a child down for a nap at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Educator and children in a group time together at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Educator and children playing with play dough together at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Educator and child tending to gardens together outside at Raymond Terrace early education centre
Fees

Munni (0 – 2 years) – $149.00
Wila (0 – 2 years) – $149.00
Tookun (2 – 3 years) – $145.00
Keewong (3 – 4 years) – $139.50
Yurra (4 – 5 years) – $139.50

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 – Kristy Holt

Kristy Holt brings 22 years of experience in the early childhood profession as the Centre Director of St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace. Throughout her extensive career, Kristy has immersed herself in various roles within long day care and preschool settings, and has even ventured into owning her own Family Day Care business. For the past three years, she has been serving as Director at our Raymond Terrace centre, showcasing her exceptional leadership skills.

Kristy’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching, which she successfully completed in 2011. Her educational background and continuous commitment to professional growth provide her with a solid foundation for understanding and implementing best practices in early childhood education. 

Working with children holds a special place in Kristy’s heart. She finds immense joy in learning alongside them, witnessing their expressions when they discover something new. Creating a warm and welcoming space for children is paramount to Kristy, as she believes it is essential for them to feel loved and supported in order to reach their full potential.

Kristy feels privileged to be a part of a child’s life from as early as their very first days at just 8 weeks old. Watching them grow and develop over the years, providing care and guidance and witnessing their journey until they transition to “big school” fills her with a deep sense of fulfillment.

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.

New Outdoor Environments

We are thrilled to announce a major upgrade to our outdoor environments at St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace.

These enhancements will create brand-new, state-of-the-art spaces that foster exploration, creativity, and growth for our young learners.

Here are some key features that will soon be available for children to enjoy:

  • Garden beds and lots of natural elements: Encouraging hands-on learning about our natural world, these features will inspire curiosity and connection with nature.
  • Dedicated water play areas with mud kitchens: Perfect for sensory exploration and imaginative play, these spaces will provide endless opportunities for discovery and fun.
  • Climbing structures and bicycle tracks: Promoting physical development and motor skills, these features will challenge children to grow their confidence and coordination.
  • Large, decked sandpits: Ideal for collaborative play, creativity, and skill-building, these sandpits will become a favourite spot for group activities.

But that’s not all! We are also exploring opportunities to optimise the centre’s internal spaces further and hope to share more exciting updates on this soon.

Stay tuned as we continue to transform our Raymond Terrace centre into an even more enriching environment for your children to learn, grow, and flourish. We can’t wait to see the joy these new spaces will bring to the local community!

Make an enquiry

  • Early Education
  • OOSH
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Your details

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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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Please fill out the form with your details and preferred study program. One of our friendly staff will be in touch shortly.

  • Why choose us?
  • Our approach
  • Our commitment

Why choose St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace?

At our Raymond Terrace Early Education centre, our educators create a respectful, joyful space where children thrive. From appreciation for nature to building lifelong skills, we believe a quality early education is the best thing you can give your child.

Here’s why families trust us for their daycare in Raymond Terrace:

  • Exceeding National Standards: Rated as ‘Exceeding’ the National Quality Standards, our childcare service ensures your child receives quality care in a nurturing environment.
  • Comprehensive programs: Our Raymond Terrace preschool offers tailored educational programs that help children reach their full potential, focusing on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
  • Strong community connections: Through partnerships with local schools and aged care services, we create enriching experiences for children while fostering a strong sense of community.
  • Friendly and professional staff: Our team of highly trained educators is passionate about building meaningful relationships with children and families, providing a safe and supportive environment.
  • Flexible care options: With long day care services, we cater to busy families, offering a balance of structure and flexibility to meet their needs.

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

Comprehensive early childhood education in Raymond Terrace

Our Raymond Terrace early education centre provides more than just childcare; we offer a holistic approach to early learning. By creating warm indoor spaces and stimulating outdoor environments, we encourage children to explore, play, and grow. Our programs align with the National Quality Framework, ensuring every child benefits from high-quality education and care.

Through our focus on early childhood education, we foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Whether it’s through our tailored preschool curriculum or daily interactions, we support children to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Our commitment to Raymond Terrace families

At St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace, we are dedicated to supporting families by providing a childcare service that is both nurturing and inclusive. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early education in an environment where they feel valued, supported, and inspired to learn.

Our team is committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging and building meaningful relationships with children and their families. By working closely with parents and caregivers, we ensure our programs reflect the unique needs, interests, and strengths of each child, creating a foundation for lifelong learning and success.

We take pride in our strong ties to the Raymond Terrace community, forming partnerships that enrich the experiences of the children in our care. From our intergenerational partnership with Raymond Terrace Gardens Aged Care to our collaboration with local schools, we aim to create connections that benefit children, families, and the broader community.

Above all, our focus is on providing quality care and education that supports children to reach their full potential. Through our dedicated team, engaging learning environments, and commitment to excellence, we strive to be a trusted partner in your child’s early education journey.

We also understand the importance of creating a supportive network for families. By offering resources, guidance, and consistent communication, we aim to build a partnership that enhances each child’s learning experience and supports families in navigating the early years of education with confidence and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

  • What age groups does St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace cater to?

    We welcome little ones aged eight weeks to five years, offering age-appropriate programs that nurture development in a good environment — where kids can learn, explore nature, and feel part of our little family.

  • What are the operating hours of the centre?

    Our long day care centre is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, providing flexible care options for busy families.

  • How does St Nicholas Raymond Terrace support school transition?

    Our preschool program prepares children in NSW for school by fostering confidence, independence, respect and social skills. We want your child to develop a love of learning, communicate with confidence, and make wonderful friends — wherever they go next!

  • Are meals provided at the centre?

    Yes! Our on-site kitchen serves healthy, nutritious meals to support your child’s growth and wellbeing.

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