Child Care in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter: A Complete Suburb Guide

Child Care in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter Valley

Finding the right child care centre takes time — and knowing what’s available in your area is the best place to start. This guide lists more than 100 long day care centres, preschools and early learning centres across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter Valley, organised by suburb.

Whether you’re searching for infant care, a toddler program or a preschool place before your child starts school, there’s a wide range of options across the region — from large national providers to smaller community-run centres.

Before committing to a centre, we recommend checking Starting Blocks, the Australian Government’s child care finder, where you can look up National Quality Standard ratings for any centre. And if you’re not sure where to begin, our guide on how to secure child care walks you through waitlists, what to look for on a tour, and questions worth asking.

Coming soon: The NSW Government is building 12 new public preschools across the Hunter region, due to open by early 2027. These will be co-located at Booragul, Cessnock, Ellalong, Gillieston, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Maryland, Nulkaba, Shortland, Tenambit, Teralba and Weston Public Schools.

The NSW Government has described these as fee-free public preschools, with families accessing them through the Start Strong program. Full pricing details are expected closer to the 2027 opening date.

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What Type of Child Care Do You Need?

Not all child care is the same, and the right fit depends on your child’s age, your work schedule and what you’re looking for in a program.

Long day care is the most common option for working families, typically open five days a week with flexible hours. 

Preschool and early learning centres focus on the year or two before school, often with shorter sessions. 

Family day care is home-based, smaller in group size, and can suit families who prefer a quieter environment or need more flexible arrangements.

All of the services listed in this guide operate under the same national regulatory framework and are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for eligible families.

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Featured Child Care Providers

The following providers have partnered with Newy with Kids. We thank them for supporting this free community resource. Be sure to tell them you found them in the Newy with Kids Child Care Guide.

St Nicholas Early Education

At St Nicholas Early Education, we believe passionately in supporting and partnering with families and communities to nurture and inspire children aged 0-5 to develop the skills they need to flourish.

We do this through the delivery of child-led, play-based education and care in contemporary learning environments where every child is supported in their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Each St Nicholas Early Education centre is staffed by a dedicated and passionate team of educators, with each team member bringing a unique background of experience and diversity.

As a community-focused organisation, we weave in the cultural traditions and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our learning programs, and our young learners are encouraged to further explore and learn about our world through community engagement programs.

Locations: Centres across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Website | Facebook | Instagram

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Lake Macquarie Family Day Care

Lake Macquarie Family Day Care (affectionately known as Lake Mac FDC) is a network of self-employed qualified educators who provide early education and care from their own homes for children aged birth to 13 years. Lake Mac FDC delivers programs for children under the same early education and care regulatory and quality framework as centre-based services such as Long Day Care, Outside of School Hours Care, and Preschools. They can also offer government Child Care Subsidy fee assistance with the cost of care for eligible families. Lake Macquarie Council has been operating the service for almost 45 years with strong governance, quality and community-based frameworks.

Locations: Family day care educators in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and surrounding regions.
Phone: 02 4921 0156
Website

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Child Care in Newcastle

Newcastle has one of the most diverse ranges of child care options in the region, with centres spread across suburbs from the city centre out to Mayfield, Kotara, Wallsend and beyond. Whether you’re after a centre close to work in the CBD or one near home in the suburbs, there’s a solid mix of long day care, community preschools and early learning centres to choose from.

Adamstown

Adamstown Community Early Learning and Preschool
210 Gosford Road Corner, Glebe Road
02 4952 9972

Adamstown Pre-School
13 Date Street
02 4952 2118

Kinda Kapers Adamstown
5 Buxton Street
02 4956 3433

Beresfield

Beresfield Community Children’s Education Centre
6 Milton Street
02 4966 3150

Bright Steps Academy
11 Lenox Street
1300402522

Goodstart Early Learning Beresfield
9 Milton Street
02 4966 1262

Broadmeadow

Broadmeadow Montessori Children’s House
138 Broadmeadow Road
02 4961 1884

Goodstart Early Learning Broadmeadow
142 Broadmeadow Road
02 4965 3400

Little Kindy Broadmeadow
11 Lang Road
02 4906 8546

The Little Unicorn Early Education and Preschool Centre
78 – 82 Brunker Road
02 4962 1788

The Rumpus Room Chatham Street
121-123 Chatham Street
02 4940 8686

The Rumpus Room Children’s Centre Broadmeadow
125 Chatham Street, Darling Street Entrance
02 4940 8686

Callaghan (University of Newcastle)

KU Kooinda Work Base Child Care Centre
University Drive, University of Newcastle
02 4921 7171

KU Kintaiba Children’s Centre
University Drive, University of Newcastle
02 4967 3475

KU Wonnayba Children’s Centre
University Drive, University of Newcastle
02 4967 6488

Carrington

Go Kindy Carrington
26 Cowper Street North
02 4962 1482

Cooks Hill

Cooks Hill Community Preschool
24 Dawson Street 
02 4926 4464

Elermore Vale

Elermore Vale Early Learning Centre
129 Croudace Road
02 4951 8102

Kindy Patch Elermore Vale
56 Jubilee Road
02 4955 8366

Fletcher

Fletcher Montessori & Early Learning Centre
1 Minmi Road
02 4951 4202

Outlook Early Learning Centre
5-9 Arbour Avenue
02 4951 5325

Sanctuary Early Learning Centre
37 Tibin Drive
02 4950 2983

Hamilton

Creative Childcare Hamilton
69 Tudor Street
02 4089 5415

Frog Stomp Preschool
80a Jenner Parade
02 4969 2124

Hamilton Child Care Centre
207 Denison Street
02 4962 1334

Hamilton Community Pre-School
108 Lindsay Street
02 4969 2893

Jesmond

Jesmond Early Education Centre
56 Mordue Parade
02 4951 4224

Jesmond Community Pre School
Janet Street
02 4952 5652

Kotara

A Magical Time Childrens Centre – Kotara
306 Park Avenue
02 4957 6124

Creative Childcare Kotara
U 6 154 Park Ave
02 4952 3811

Kotara Montessori Childrens Centre
19 Joanne Street
02 4952 1172

Lambton

Elder Street Early Childhood Centre
136 Elder Street
02 4593 9300

Lambton Early Learning Centre
14 Pearson Street
02 4052 6568

Maryland

Bishop Tyrell Preschool
256 Minmi Road
02 4978 8445

Glendore Child Care Centre
4-8 Glendore Street
02 4965 6590

Kindy Patch Maryland
Corner Minmi Road & Maryland Drive
02 4955 8633

Maryland Care & Early Education Centre
34 – 36 Boundary Road
02 4951 7783

Maryland Drive Preschool
179 Maryland Drive
02 4950 2916

Maryville

Little Beginnings at Maryville
65 The Avenue
02 4965 3322

Mayfield

The Hub Preschool & Early Education Academy
121 Hanbury Street
02 4967 3713

Gowrie NSW Mayfield Early Education & Care
14 Frith Street
02 6370 9730

Hunter Early Childhood Service
58 – 60 Industrial Drive
02 4967 4991

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare Mayfield
Lot 32 Murray Dwyer Circuit
02 4967 6222

KU Mayfield Preschool
9 Park Street
02 4915 0042

Mayfield Early Learning Centre
55 Dora Street
02 4967 5633

Mayfield West Public School Preschool
Gregson Avenue
02 4968 1539

Mulberry Cottage Nursery
219A Maitland Road
02 4967 4682

Play Learn and Grow Early Education Centre
168 Maitland Road
02 4967 1800

Merewether

Go Kindy Merewether
25 Llewellyn Street
02 4077 3810

Henry Street Community Pre-School
Henry Street
02 4963 3366

KU – Merewether Preschool
25 Caldwell Street
02 4963 1590

Merewether Heights

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare – Merewether Heights
156 Scenic Drive
02 4963 5557

Newcastle

East End Early Education and Preschool
50 Bolton Street

Creative Childcare Hunter Street
946 – 954 Hunter St
02 4961 5620

Explore & Develop King Street
291 King Street
02 4022 8200

Go Kindy Newcastle City
745 Hunter St
02 4069 1815

Newcastle Community Preschool
Cnr Auckland & Laman Street 
02 4929 1113

Newcastle Montessori Academy
Marketown East Shopping Centre
02 8916 7553

Samaritans Early Learning Centre
41 Darby Street
02 4949 2093

The Little Unicorn on Honeysuckle
24 Honeysuckle Drive
(02) 4929 4451

Newcastle East

Explore & Develop Newcastle East
50 Bolton Street
02 4925 3349

Newcastle West

St Nicholas Early Education Newcastle West
845 Hunter Street
02 4979 1136

New Lambton

Blinkies Early Education Centre
5 Hawkins Street
02 4952 6269

Busy Bees at New Lambton
297 Lambton Road
02 4952 4210

Goodstart Early Learning New Lambton
199 Lambton Road
02 4952 9863

Jumping Jacks Community Pre-School
84 Lambton Road
02 4952 4228

The Big Tree House
63 Regent Street
02 4956 4328

New Lambton Heights

Possum Place Child Care Centre
Lookout Road
02 4921 4161

Rankin Park

Cambridge Hills Pre-School
2 Elbrook Drive
02 4952 6719

Sandgate

The Hub Preschool & Early Education Academy 
23 Rural Drive
02 4967 2342

Tighes Hill

Kinda Kapers @ Tighes Hill
22 – 24 Bryant Street
02 4961 3420

Newcastle TAFE Children’s Centre
1 Maitland Road
02 4923 7253

Stockton

Stockton Public School Preschool
10 Clyde Street
02 4928 1101

The Junction

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare – The Junction
28 Farquhar Street
02 4940 8996

Wallsend

Macquarie College Preschool
182/222 Lake Road
02 4954 9449

Merindah Children’s Centre
28 Bunn Street
02 4958 9533

Orana Community Preschool
10 Bean Street
02 4951 6333

Wallsend Community Preschool
Cnr Douglas and Abbott Streets 
02 4955 8477

Warabrook

The Rumpus Room Warabrook
5 Rosegum Road
02 4940 8686

Making Waves Early Learning Centre
23 Rosegum Road
02 4044 3135

Waratah

Bright Buttons Early Learning Centre
36 Kahibah Road
02 4967 3035

Narnia Christian Preschool and Early Childhood Centre
55 High Street
02 4960 6695

St Philip’s Christian College DALE Early Learning Centre
98 Georgetown Road
02 4949 2949

The Hub Preschool & Early Education Academy Pty Ltd Waratah
37 Station Street
4954 8866

Tillys Play & Development Centre – Waratah
2 Platt Street
02 4960 2802

Tillys Play & Development Centre Waratah 2
40 – 42 Station Street
02 4967 7399

Waratah Public School Preschool
Lambton Road
02 4960 1836

Wickham

Awabakal Preschool
5 Grey Street
(02) 4918 6999

KU Wickham Preschool
18A Albert Street
(02) 4961 3304

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Child Care in Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie covers a large geographic area, so it’s worth narrowing your search by suburb. Popular areas for families include Charlestown, Warners Bay, Cameron Park and Cardiff, all of which have multiple centre options. Family day care is also well-represented across the lake area through Lake Mac Family Day Care

Lake Macquarie Area

Lake Macquarie Family Day Care
Family day care educators in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, and surrounding regions.
02 4921 0156

Argenton

Glendale Early Education Centre
4 Stockland Drive
02 4954 7755

Barnsley

Fairyland Preschool
33 George Street
02 4953 1040

Sustainable Play Preschool
40 Nelson Street
02 4001 0140

Belmont North

Great Beginnings Belmont North
10 Elidge Crescent

Kinda Kapers Belmont North
120 Violet Town Road

Belmont North Preschool
10 Nikkin Road
02 4945 3341

Blackalls Park

Blackalls Park Pre-School
11 Rose Street
02 4959 4063

Bolton Point

Bolton Point Child Care Centre
158 Bay Road
02 4959 3410

Cameron Park

Busy Bees at Cameron Grove
1 Durrant Street
02 4017 8513

Busy Bees at Cameron Park
37 Blackwood Cct
02 4903 0043

Busy Bees at Cameron Park Preston
1 – 5 Preston Place
02 4950 8868

Cameron Park Early Learning Centre
62 Harris Street
02 4953 0707

Goodstart Early Learning Cameron Park
77 Northlakes Drive
02 4958 9533

Cardiff

Cardiff Busy Bee Preschool
4 Maude Street
02 4954 7985

Cardiff ELC
37 Munibung Road
02 4956 6222

Harrison St Early Educaiton
54 Harrison Street
02 4956 5296

Macquarie Hills Community Preschool
9 Florina Close
02 4954 5953

St Nicholas Early Education Cardiff
17 Kelton Street
02 4944 0750

Tillys Play and Education Centre – Cardiff
44 Ada Street

Cardiff South

Cardiff Child Care
16 Fifth Street
02 4954 6244

Carey Bay

Carey Bay Preschool
16 Laycock Street
02 4959 5560

Charlestown

Charlestown Child Care & Early Learning Centre
17 Mulbinga Street
02 4943 7099

Charlestown East Pre School
18 Keal Street
02 4943 3974

Kinda Kapers Long Day Care
28 Tiral Street
02 4947 8479

The Little Unicorn Charlestown
Charlestown Square
02 4942 5876

The Rumpus Room Charlestown
2-4 St Albans Close
02 4940 8686

Edgeworth

Edgeworth Child Care Centre
2a Durham Drive
02 4958 6282

Edgeworth Community Preschool
11 Albert Street
02 4950 8166

Edgeworth Public School Preschool
Minmi Road
02 4958 1831

Eleebana

Eleebana Children’s Centre Service
63 Burton Road
02 4947 2499

Kindy Patch Eleebana
80 Cherry Road
02 4947 3233

Floraville

Kindy Patch Floraville
1 Maximillian Drive
02 4946 6115

The Discovery Garden Child Care Centre and Preschool
160 Floraville Road
02 4003 4800

Garden Suburb

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare – Garden Suburb
58 Prospect Road
02 4920 9178

Inspired Family Day Care Service
71 Prospect Road
02 4947 8112

Merewether Day Care
38a Prospect Road
02 4920 9343

Gateshead

Felton Street Community Preschool
74 Felton Street
02 4943 0520

Goodstart Early Learning Gateshead
62 Felton Street
02 4942 4411

Glendale

Awabakal Child Care Centre
509 Main Road
02 4041 3700

Glendale Early Education Centre
4 Stockland Drive
02 4954 7755

Goodstart Early Learning Glendale
32 Oakland Street
02 4956 7311

Wandiyali Child Care Centre
1A Oakland Street
02 4954 5174

Highfields

KU Kahibah Road Children’s Centre
14A George Street
02 4943 1306

Holmesville

Holmesville Playhouse Pre School
24 William Street
0412305503

Kahibah

Go Kindy Kahibah
61 Kenibea Avenue
02 4011 5011

Macquarie Hills

Macquarie Hills Community Preschool
9 Florina Close
02 4954 5953

Mount Hutton

A Magical Time Children’s Centre
72 Tennent Road
02 4947 3988

Lake Macquarie Educational Preschool
7 Davies Parade
02 4948 2255

Lake Macquarie Kinda Kapers Long Day Care Centre
298 Warners Bay Road
02 4944 5888

Goodstart Early Learning Mount Hutton
5 Tennent Road
1 800 757 343

Mount Hutton Child Care Centre
Wilsons Road, Lake Macquarie Fair
02 4947 1700

Redhead

Kindy Patch Redhead
1/1 Seasands Drive
02 4944 8620

Speers Point

Great Beginnings Speers Point
193 Main Road
02 4077 3806

Boolaroo-Speers Point Community Kindergarten
46A Sixth Street
02 4958 1330

Toronto

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare – Toronto
2 Glenfield Road
02 4950 5220

Kinda Kapers Toronto
135 Excelsior Parade
2 4959 2100

Valentine

Community Kids Valentine Early Education Centre
34 Connaught Road
2 4942 7051

Imagine Early Learning & Childcare – Valentine (Preschool)
41a St Johns Drive
02 4920 1549

Warners Bay

Honeybee Preschool
4 Queen Street
02 4948 9797

Little Beginnings at Hillsborough Road
5/363 Hillsborough Road
02 4954 9500

Little Beginnings at Warners Bay
14/363 Hillsborough Road
02 4954 5588

Let The Learning Begin
5/311 Hillsborough Road
02 4953 7665

Milestones Early Learning Warners Bay
270 Hillsborough Road
02 4954 8219

Warners Bay Early Learning and Care Centre
Cnr King & Charles Street
02 4947 1300

Whitebridge

Birralee Long Day Care Centre (Whitebridge)
55 Lonus Avenue
02 4943 5165

Whitebridge Preschool Kindergarten
8 Tumpopa Street
0417 966 702

Windale

KU Windale Preschool
Lot 2 South Street
02 4948 8391

Windale Public School Preschool
Kilfera Street
02 4948 8864

Woodrising

Woodrising Natural Learning Centre Inc
80 Hayden Brook Road
02 4950 4212

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Child Care in the Hunter Valley

The Hunter region spans from Maitland and East Maitland through to Rutherford, Thornton, Singleton and Muswellbrook. Maitland and East Maitland in particular has a growing number of long day care and early learning options to match its expanding population.

Aberglasslyn

Kids Cave Early Education Rutherford
49 – 51 Richard Road
02 4932 6808

Story House Early Learning Aberglasslyn
Cnr Myrtle & McKeachie Drive
02 4932 1329

Ashtonfield

Kindy Patch Ashtonfield
17 Norfolk Street
02 4934 1934

Hunter Valley Grammar School Early Learning Centre
Norfolk Street
02 4931 0743

Shamrock Hill Early Learning and Long Day Care Centre
19 Galway Bay Drive
02 4933 8632

Bolwarra

Mother Goose Day Nursery
13 Paterson Road
02 4930 3311

Tillys Play and Education Centre – Bolwarra
84 Paterson Road
02 4930 0832

Branxton

Bees Nees Early Learning
104 Hillview Road
02 4938 1900

Branxton Pre-School
13 John Street
02 4938 1990

Huntlee Early Learning Centre
4 Winepress Road
02 4938 1612

St Nicholas Early Education Branxton
35-45 Station Street
02 4931 1220

Chisholm

Little Zak’s Academy Chisholm
2 Duskdarter Street
02 8880 3535

St Nicholas Early Education Chisholm
Cnr Tigerhawk Drive and Settlers Boulevard
02 4015 2850

Tillys Play and Education Centre – Chisholm
1 Seasons Circuit
02 4933 1223

East Maitland

East Maitland Pre-School (Brunswick St)
96 Brunswick Street
02 4933 5973

East Maitland Pre-School (George St)
137 George Street
02 4933 7605

Fieldsend ELC
34 Fieldsend Street
02 4933 7976

Kindy Patch Emma’s
61 Narang Street
02 4933 1844

King St Community Pre-School East Maitland
50A King Street
02 4933 4045

Linuwel Pre-School
133 Morpeth Road
02 4933 3095

Mini Minors Early Learning Centre
24 Mitchell Drive
02 4933 1532

Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council Preschool
Lot 457 Chelmsford Drive
02 4015 7000

Over the Moon Early Learning Centre
4 Brisbane Street
02 4933 3435

Gillieston Heights

St Nicholas Early Education Gillieston Heights
Redwood Drive
02 4979 1110

Tillys Play and Education Centre – Gillieston Heights
3 Redwood Drive
02 4932 8267

Lochinvar

St Nicholas Early Education Lochinvar
Cnr New England Hwy and Station Ln
02 4015 2840

Maitland

Bright Beginnings Maitland
U 6 6 Johnson St
02 4018 7575

Busy Bees at Maitland
2/50 Ken Tubman Drive
02 4709 6008

Kinda Kapers Maitland
526 – 528 High Street
02 4934 4831

Maitland Community Preschool
Cathedral Street
02 4933 6589

Maitland Kids Preschool and Early Learning Centre
353-357 High Street
02 4915 8662

St Nicholas Early Education Maitland
24 Hunter St, Maitland
02 4931 1210

Metford

Chelmsford Drive Early Learning Centre
41 Chelmsford Drive
02 4933 2397

Metford Child Care Centre
110 Chelmsford Drive
02 4934 2442

Muswellbrook

St Nicholas Early Education Muswellbrook
111 Skellatar Stock Rte
02 6542 4420

Rutherford

Busy Bees at Heritage Parc
125 Grand Parade
02 4017 2143

Goodstart Early Learning Rutherford
42 Dunkley Street
02 4932 5611

Kookaburra Korner Early Education Centre Inc
12 Woodberry Street
02 4932 7780

Little Miracles Rutherford
61 Aberglasslyn Road
02 4934 4831

The Hub Preschool & Early Education Academy Pty Ltd
81-85 Weblands Street
02 4967 2342

Rutherford Playtime Pre-School
75 Regiment Road
02 4932 6332

Tillys Play and Education Centre – Rutherford
71 Mustang Drive
02 4932 6072

Singleton

St Nicholas Early Education Singleton
Cnr Market St and Boundary St
02 4015 2860

South Maitland

Story House Early Learning Maitland
80-82 Devonshire Street
02 4934 5540

Tenambit

Kindy Patch Tenambit
66 Maize Street
02 4933 0869

Thornton

Community Kids Thornton Early Education Centre
2 Darlaston Avenue
02 4013 6112

Goodstart Early Learning Thornton
4 Sandalwood Avenue
02 4966 3322

Little Zak’s Academy Thornton
1 Avard Close
Little Zak’s Academy Thornton 2
2 Avondale Drive
02 4044 5619

Thornton Child Care and Pre-School Centre
2 Welwin Crescent
02 4966 5975

Thornton ELC
14 Hartley Drive
02 4966 8806

Woodberry

Samaritans Early Learning Centre – Woodberry
11 Lawson Avenue
02 4960 7250

Woodberry Community Preschool
25 Tahlee Ave
02 4023 1875

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Child Care in Port Stephens

Port Stephens families are spread across a wide area — from Medowie and Raymond Terrace through to Nelson Bay and beyond — so finding care close to home matters. The centres listed here cover the key growth areas of the region, particularly around Medowie and Raymond Terrace, which have seen strong population growth in recent years.

Medowie

Kindy Patch Medowie
1b Sylvan Avenue
02 4981 8840

Little Beginnings at Medowie
14 Peppertree Rd
02 4981 8174

Milestones Early Learning Medowie
22 Bower Rd

St Nicholas Early Education Medowie
507 Medowie Rd
02 4068 1050

Uniting Early Learning Medowie
40 Brush Box Avenue
02 4039 9809

Nelson Bay

Goodstart Early Learning Nelson Bay
125-127 Shoal Bay Road
02 4981 0888

Our Place Preschool
53 Stockton Street
02 4024 2558

Raymond Terrace

Raymond Terrace Early Education Centre
88 Benjamin Lee Drive
02 4987 1588

St Nicholas Early Education Raymond Terrace
20a Kangaroo St
02 4988 5200

Salt Ash

Busy Bees at Salt Ash
2634 Nelson Bay Road
02 4982 6240

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Frequently Asked Questions About Child Care in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter

Newy with Kids is a for-profit website that provides free content through paid advertising and sponsorships. Our website contains both paid and unpaid mentions of local businesses and organisations. Any reference made in this article to local businesses or organisations is for informational purposes only. We STRONGLY encourage you to do your own research before engaging with a child care centre.

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