St Ives
58 Woodbury Rd, St Ives NSW 2075
Open 7:00am to 6:00pm
Opened in 2020, our St Ives Early Learning Centre is a home away from home, where children’s individual personalities and learning styles are cherished and celebrated.
The six early learning rooms are bright and airy, thanks to large glass walls that allow children to have direct access to the outdoor learning environments. The flourishing Children’s Kitchen Garden and Orchard surrounds the centre and anchors it in the natural world. Featuring a large chicken coop, planter boxes overflowing with produce, sensory plantation and our signature tractor, children are encouraged to challenge themselves, take calculated risks and explore the environment that surrounds them.
Sustainability is at the forefront of our St Ives centre’s design. We have endeavoured to include many environmentally friendly features including solar power installation, water-saving devices, recycled construction materials and the consideration of breezeways and natural light to encourage natural airflow and ventilation throughout the centre
OUR APPROACH
Childcare at St Ives
Orchard Early Learning Centre’s philosophy guides every aspect of our approach, creating a supportive and enriching environment for children and families.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ORCHARD ELC ST IVES
Learning Through Food and Nature
At Orchard ELC St Ives, our Paddock to Plate philosophy is central to our curriculum, making us a standout in St Ives childcare. Surrounded by gardens and orchards, kids get to roll up their sleeves, dig into the soil and discover where their food really comes from.
Families and children are part of the whole journey, planting seeds, watering, harvesting fresh produce and even caring for our friendly free-range chickens and native stingless bees. These moments aren’t just fun; they help build a sense of responsibility and a love for the environment. Our Kitchen Team then integrates this garden-fresh produce into five nutritious meals daily, with menus crafted by a professional chef. As a leading preschool in St Ives and nursery in St Ives, we ensure every child receives meals that fuel their growth, learning and play.
One of our philosophies at Orchard ELC St Ives is to embrace outdoor play in all weather conditions, setting us apart in St Ives Early Learning. Rain or shine, our outdoor environments offer children the chance to develop sensory awareness, build resilience and connect with the natural world. Exploring the elements inspires children to engage with nature more deeply, fostering curiosity, respect and a lasting appreciation for the environment. These moments encourage meaningful conversations about seasons, weather and sustainability, helping children learn about the world around them.
As a trusted preschool in St Ives, we ensure every child’s comfort and safety during outdoor play. Please note that outdoor activities are paused during harsh or unsafe weather, prioritising children’s well-being while embracing the benefits of nature-based learning.
KEY ELEMENTS
All-Inclusive Experience
At Orchard ELC St Ives, we offer a truly all-inclusive experience to make family life easier while enriching your child’s early learning journey. As a leading St Ives childcare service, we thoughtfully include everything needed to support both children and parents, including:
Delicious and Nutritious Meals Daily
Every child enjoys 5 wholesome meals a day, freshly prepared by our dedicated in-house centre chef to support their growth and wellbeing.
Dedicated school readiness program
Our tailored program equips children with the skills and confidence they need for a smooth and successful transition to primary school.
Stay Connected with Our Parent App
Easily track your child’s daily activities, book casual days, and receive real-time updates from the centre-all at your fingertips.
Convenient Extended Hours
We’re open from 7am to 6pm to support busy families with greater flexibility and care when they need it most.
Paddock to Plate Learning
Children enjoy hands-on cooking experiences with our Centre Chefs, exploring where food comes from and how it’s prepared.
Gardening Adventures with Sadie
Children learn to plant, grow, and care for their own garden alongside Sadie the Garden Lady, fostering a love for nature and sustainability.
Fees & Family Discounts
- Dreamers (Birth – 12 Months) $192
- Explorers (2-3 years) $180
- Early Learners (3-4 years) $168
- Pre School (4-5 years) $168
Families who attend for 3 days or more can receive 50% reduction of the full daily rate charged for holidays. Families discount are as follows for families who have more than one child enrolled.
The following discounts will be applied based on the number of children enrolled.
1 child: No discount | 2 children: 5% | 3+ children: 10%
Terms and Conditions are included in Orchard Early Learning Centre policies.
Visit ST IVES
How to Book a Tour
Booking a tour at our St Ives centre is the perfect way to experience our unique programs and welcoming environment firsthand. As one of the top providers of childcare in St Ives, our guided tours offer an inside look at:
Our Early Learning Philosophy
See how our natural, child-centred approach inspires learning.
Tailored Programs
Explore our school readiness initiatives, outdoor spaces, and kitchen gardens.
Comprehensive Fee Structure
Learn about our all-inclusive fees and multi-day discounts, including Start Strong Funding for further Preschool discounts.
Nutritious meals
We provide nutritionally balanced and perfectly portioned meals developed by restaurant-trained chefs. Seasonal menus offer halal meats and vegetarian options. We follow Nutrition Australia’s national guidelines, setting a benchmark for all other early learning centres. *We are a nut-free centre and accommodate individual allergies.
Tours typically last 30 minutes and are a great way for your child to explore and feel at ease in their new learning space.
If you’re ready to know St Ives better, schedule your visit now or fill out our form to select a time and date that suits your family. Experience the best St Ives Early Learning and preschool has to offer and become part of our Orchard community!
Our Location
58 Woodbury Rd, St Ives NSW 2075
Open 7:00am to 6:00pm
WORK WITH US
Do you want to join the St Ives team?
At Orchard ELC, we’re a tribe and we’re always on the lookout for sensational educators. If you share our values, then we’d love to hear you!
Simply fill in our Expression of Interest form below and when a position at Orchard ELC St Ives becomes available that matches your skill set and experience, we’ll get in touch with you.