Group of young children sitting and kneeling on a patterned rug, facing away, in a classroom or play setting.
Blank dark blue banner with no visible objects or text.

WHO WE ARE

Nestled in the heart of Cooks Hill, Newcastle Community Preschool is a small, tight-knit Preschool for children aged 3–5 years, welcoming 25 children each day.

MEET OUR EDUCATORS

Child holding a piece of pie while sitting on a picnic blanket during a picnic, with a lunchbox nearby and other children around, eating and enjoying the outdoor meal.

fostering a nurturing and dynamic environment where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and grow.

IN THE HEART OF COOKS HILL

Guided by aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach, our philosophy sees children as capable, curious, and full of potential. We place strong emphasis on relationships, community, and the environment as integral parts of the learning process. As a community of learners, we value connection, with each other, with families, and with the world around us, creating a warm and inspiring place for children to thrive.

At Newcastle community Preschool, children and teachers learn together. Teachers don’t just give answers, they explore alongside the child. Learning is sparked by the child’s interests and curiosity. It’s a partnership where everyone grows through shared discovery.

Our Preschool is situated on the grounds of the Cooks Hill Presbyterian Church, a site that holds a long and meaningful history in the local community. While we are not affiliated with the church, Newcastle Community Preschool operates as an independent and separate entity, with its own unique identity, governance, and educational philosophy.

A church with gothic-style windows and brick walls, surrounded by greenery including tall trees and large leafy plants, under a clear blue sky.
A yellow brick church with gothic windows, iron gates, and stone pillars, with a sign indicating it's a preschool, and lush green trees behind it under a clear blue sky.
solid navy blue vertical banner with no objects or text
Colorful overlapping leaf shapes in orange, yellow, green, pink, and teal with black outlines.

  • Our logo, featuring a tree, reflects the story of our place and our people. The tree symbolises growth, strength, and interconnection. Each leaf represents a season—a moment in time, a stage of learning, a child’s unique story. The branches stand for the educators, families, and wider community who support and grow alongside the children. This imagery captures the essence of who we are: a co-learning community rooted in care, connection, collaboration, and shared growth.

    At Newcastle Community Preschool, we don’t just learn—we grow together, connected to our past, grounded in the present, and inspired by the future.

WHAT INSPIRES OUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our curriculum is child-centred and inquiry-based, allowing children to engage in deep, meaningful learning experiences. We believe that children express themselves in "a hundred languages," encompassing various forms of communication such as art, music, movement, and play. Educators collaborate with children to co-construct knowledge, fostering a sense of agency and ownership over their learning journey.

PRESCHOOL
PHILOSOPHY

Belonging – We believe in building a strong sense of belonging within our preschool community through cultivating a warm, safe and inclusive learning environment. Children and families are valued contributors, where individual backgrounds, cultures, abilities and identities are respected.

Image of the child – we see each child as a capable and competent holder of knowledge, rich with potential and possibility. Every child carries their own unique story, woven from lived experiences, relationships, and discoveries. They are the threads that shape their thinking, guiding their research, questions, and decisions. Drawing on their knowledge, curiosity, exploration, and connections with others, children actively construct meaning and contribute to the shared fabric of learning.

Relationships - We believe relationships are the foundation of all learning. We value connections with each other, the wider community, and Country. We foster mutual respect and collaboration between children, educators, families, and the community. We recognise that knowledge grows as it is woven through shared thinking, meaningful interactions, secure and trusting relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.

Agency  - We value children as active participants in their learning. We provide engaging and thoughtfully chosen intelligent materials that invite exploration and discovery. Through play-based learning and inquiry-led experiences, children are encouraged to make choices, ask questions, take risks, and follow their interests. Educators are in companionship with children, acting as co-learners who guide and extend their thinking rather than directing it.

Best interests of children – We place children at the centre of all we do. We are committed to advocating for every child, ensuring their rights, voices, safety and wellbeing are respected and upheld. We strive to create a thoughtful balance between time for play, gathering and meaningful documentation, recognising that each is essential in supporting children’s growth and development. Through reflective practice, we ensure our decisions and actions always prioritise what is best for each child.

Authenticity – We view children as curious and capable learners, whose ideas and identities shape their learning experiences. Authenticity is central to our curriculum, fostering self-awareness, an understanding of others, and a deep respect for the environment as the third teacher.

Nurture – We believe that nurture is at the heart of our philosophy. Through truly knowing and understanding our children, we build nurturing, respectful relationships that extend beyond the preschool into the wider community. In companionship with children, we nurture respect for being on country and the environment and see this as a shared responsibility.

 Biraban was a Muloobinba leader and prominent Awabakal teacher. His name also means eagle hawk which is the totem of the Awabakal people.

Revised 20th April 2026

THE ROLE OF
OUR ENVIRONMENT

We consider our learning environment as the "third teacher." Our spaces are thoughtfully designed to be aesthetically pleasing, accessible, and rich in natural materials.

These environments invite exploration and creativity, supporting children in making connections with the world around them.

Children playing in a colorful outdoor backyard, with toys, baskets, and a small stage area, on a sunny day.
A bouquet of fresh yellow sunflowers with dark centers in a glass vase, with children's painted sunflower pictures in the background.

MEET OUR EDUCATORS: CO-LEARNERS AND COMMUNITY BUILDERS

At Newcastle Community Preschool, our team of dedicated teachers/ educators is at the heart of our vibrant learning community. Together with the children, we explore, inquire, and grow—believing that learning is a shared journey. Our teacher/educators bring a wealth of experience, passion, and a commitment to fostering a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and inspired.

  • Child's drawing of a person wearing glasses and a polka dot top, smiling, with short hair and raised arms.

    Nat – NS Director – Bachelor Teaching EC

  • Child's drawing of a person with black hair, smiling face, and long legs, standing with arms extended to the sides.

    Alice (2IC/Early Childhood Teacher)

  • Natasha (Ed Leader/Diploma Educator)

  • A child's drawing of a smiling person with long hair, holding flowers in both hands, and wearing shoes and pants.

    Georgia (Diploma Educator)

  • Mackinley (Diploma Trainee - Cert III Educator)

  • Ella (Cert III Educator)

  • Caroline (Diploma Educator)

  • Our Preschool is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe environment where children and young people are protected, feel safe, respected and empowered, and where their rights, interests and wellbeing are central in all decisions and actions. We recognise that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility that requires strong leadership, a positive organisational culture and ongoing commitment at every level of our Preschool.

    Embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards into everyday practice guides how we work, how we make decisions and how we interact with children, families, staff and the community. We actively promote children’s participation, listen to their voices, and take their views seriously. We are committed to preventing harm by identifying and managing risks, responding appropriately to concerns, and continually strengthening our policies, procedures and practices.Through clear expectations, continuous reflection, learning and accountability, we strive to ensure that child safety is not an isolated responsibility, but an integral part of how our Preschool operates each day.

    Our Promise

    Accordingly, we, the approved provider, nominated supervisor, leaders, educators, administrators, volunteers and contractors, jointly declare that we:

    Ensure children’s safety, rights, interests and wellbeing are paramount

    We embed a child-first culture where children’s safety, rights and best interests are foundational in our philosophy, governance and everyday interactions, modelling behaviour that upholds the dignity and rights of every child (NSW Department of Education, 2021; NSW Department of Education, 2025).

    Listen to and act on children’s voices

    We empower children to participate in decisions affecting them, respond promptly to their concerns and celebrate their diverse experiences and identities.

    Partner with families and communities

    We collaborate transparently with families, recognising that strong partnerships are critical to place children’s rights and interests first, safeguarding children and fostering cultural safety.

    Recruit, support and monitor suitable adults

    We implement rigorous child safe recruitment, induction, and practices, and engage in ongoing professional learning to ensure that every adult in our Preschool is equipped and committed to putting children first and keeping them safe.

    Identify, manage and review risk

    We regularly assess environments, programs and practices, embedding continuous improvement processes to prevent, detect and respond to inappropriate conduct, and minimise risk of harm.

    Maintain accountability and transparency

    We uphold robust reporting, complaints handling and record-keeping systems, demonstrating zero tolerance for inappropriate conduct and full compliance with legal obligations, including the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

  • Our 2026 Team Values

    Inclusion

    We create an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and supported to participate. We respect and celebrate diverse identities, cultures, abilities and ways of being. We ensure every voice is heard and foster a strong sense of belonging for children, families and staff through inclusive routines, practices and environments.

    Collaboration

    We work together as a team, sharing knowledge, responsibilities and ideas. We communicate openly, ask for support when needed, and value feedback from our Preschool community. Collaboration, reflection, and respectful dialogue guide us in creating consistency and a positive learning environment.

    Integrity & Accountability

    We act with honesty, respect and courage and take responsibility for our actions and decisions. We uphold ethical practices, social justice principles and professional standards. We recognise that leadership is shared and that being accountable to ourselves, each other and our community build trust, consistency and quality outcomes for children and families.

    Growth

    We are committed to continuous learning and development as individuals, as a team and as a community. We reflect on practice, share knowledge, engage in professional development and view challenges as opportunities to grow stronger. Through curiosity and reflection, we strive to improve outcomes for children and families.

    Connection

    We value strong, respectful and meaningful relationships. We take time to connect with our Preschool community, recognising that relationships are at the heart of learning and wellbeing. Through care, communication and trust, we create a positive and supportive preschool culture.

  • “There’s something really special about the way this preschool connects with the wider Cooks Hill community. Whether it’s exploring the nearby parklands, visiting local galleries, or just bumping into familiar faces on the street, the children feel part of something bigger. These connections help them build a real sense of place and identity, and it strengthens the ties between families, neighbours, and the world around them.”

    PARENT COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • "As new here in Australia, we love Newcastle Community Preschool because all the teachers take very good care of the kids at school. Every day, they provide updates about what is happening inside the premises, and the teachers are friendly and keep you informed about the progress of our kids. Thank you so much for helping us, our child has learned a lot, and we’re going to miss you guys when we go to big school."

    KRISTINE

  • "As parents and committee members, we feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the NCP community. Over the years, many of us have had multiple children come through the service, and with that kind of long-standing connection, you start to feel a real sense of responsibility for the preschool’s wellbeing. It becomes more than just a place your children go — it becomes part of your family’s story. Even our older kids, now well into primary school, still speak fondly of their time here and the friendships they made."

    PARENT COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • "What sets this preschool apart is the caring educators, the focus on play-based learning, and the strong sense of belonging it fosters. Our children have grown in confidence, curiosity, and kindness, and we’ve felt just as supported as parents."

    PARENT COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • "Being involved in the committee has been a rewarding way to give back. It’s a chance to support the staff, help shape the future of the service, and stay connected with the amazing families around us. This preschool isn’t just where learning begins—it’s where community grows, and we’re proud to be part of it."

    PARENT COMMITTEE MEMBER

  • A Truly Wonderful Preschool – Supportive, nurturing, Loving, and Exceptional

    We’ve been with this preschool since 2020, and words can’t fully express how grateful we are for the incredible care and support they’ve given our children — especially with high needs. From the very beginning, the staff have gone above and beyond to create a nurturing, inclusive, and understanding environment for our family.

    They’ve taken the time to truly get to know our children as individuals, celebrating their unique personalities while supporting their challenges with compassion, patience, and skill. The communication has always been open and thoughtful, and we’ve always felt included, informed, and genuinely supported as parents.

    Every teacher and staff member has shown an extraordinary level of dedication, kindness, and flexibility. The team has created a space where our kids feel safe, accepted, and happy — and as parents, that peace of mind is priceless.

    We feel so fortunate to have found a preschool that not only understands but embraces the needs of our children. This place has made a lasting impact on our family, and we couldn’t recommend it more highly.

    Our children always say that Newcastle Community Preschool is their favourite place on Earth!