At the time, places in early education centres across the region were limited and many parents were searching for quality care they could trust. The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle responded by establishing St Nicholas Early Education, first in Singleton and Newcastle West, with a vision to support family life through early education grounded in care, connection and community.
Ten years later, that same mission continues, now with two new communities welcomed into the St Nicholas story.
At the end of April, St Nicholas Early Education Kotara South and Forster officially opened their doors, marking a significant moment in the organisation’s 10-year journey.
For the children arriving with backpacks, drink bottles and nervous smiles, the openings marked the beginning of something new. For their families, they represented trust, reassurance and the start of a partnership. For St Nicholas and the Diocese, they were a reminder that growth is not simply about opening more places. It is about extending a mission.
Mel Hill, Director of St Nicholas, said the openings reflect the heart of why St Nicholas exists.
“Every new centre is an opportunity to serve a community in a meaningful way,” Mel said. “It is not just about creating places for children to attend. It is about creating places where children are known, families feel supported, and educators can help lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.”
Both centres have been purpose-built to support children from their earliest years, with spaces designed for play, curiosity, relationships, and discovery. But their significance also lies in where they are located.
St Nicholas Early Education Forster sits alongside Holy Name Primary School, while St Nicholas Early Education Kotara South is co-located with St James’ Primary School. In both communities, families now have access to a more connected Catholic education pathway, beginning in the early years and continuing into school life.
For Mel, this connection is central to the future of St Nicholas.
“One of the great strengths of St Nicholas is that we are part of something bigger,” she said. “As part of the Diocese, we can walk alongside families through different stages of their child’s life, from early education to school-aged care and beyond. Relationships and connection matter most and form the foundation for children to thrive. It helps children feel confident, and it helps families feel they belong.”
That sense of belonging was visible from the first days of operation. Educators welcomed children gently into new rooms, families paused to take in the spaces, and small routines began to form. A first goodbye. A first painting. A first shared meal. A first moment of confidence in a place that had only just begun to feel like home.
These moments may seem small, but they are the moments on which communities are built.
As St Nicholas celebrates 10 years in 2026, the opening of Forster and Kotara South offers a fitting reflection on how far the organisation has come. What began as a response to an immediate need has grown into a broader commitment to children, families, educators and Catholic communities across the region.
The story of St Nicholas is still one of beginnings. But ten years on, those beginnings are not just about opening doors. They are about strengthening communities and helping children take their first steps into a future where they are supported to flourish.
To learn more about St Nicholas Early Education’s new centres at Forster and Kotara South, click here.
