Childcare Centre & Preschool in St Ives
We offer our Nursery, Junior Preschool and Preschool programs in our St Ives centre.
About Handprints St Ives
Handprints St Ives was the first Handprints centre and opened in November 2014. It opened after many months of searching for the perfect property. It is a purpose built centre close to the local school and opposite the local sports field. Handprints St Ives was the long-awaited dream of our Managing Director Julia and where the philosophy and vision of our company began.
What people say about Handprints St Ives
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“This is our heartfelt thanks. To know that Emmett has had another family at Handprints who love him and take care of him above and beyond any mere requirements, means the world to us. You have all shown kindness, love and compassion above anything we have ever experienced, and we will never forget it. You have made our first journey with daycare a continuing joy.
You’ve all never let us down in any way with Emmett’s care, and even in the hardest of times have shown such strength and kindness.”
— Amelia, Emmett’s Mum
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“I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you all know how much I appreciate you. It is very hard to be away from Maddie for work especially twice in a short space of time. But knowing she is being looked after by you all makes it so much easier. She is so excited every morning when she gets to Handprints and that again makes it easier as I know she is going to have a fun day!”
— Nicola, Maddie’s Mum
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My twins have attended Handprints for nearly two years and our experience has been exceptional. Our children's emotional needs have been met with kindness at every stage of their development, the Handprints curriculum has kept their inquisitive minds growing each day, and bush school is a highlight in our week. In addition the St Ives team stepped up to support me in running and improving a playgroup for asylum seeker and refugee families in partnership with Jesuit Refugee Services, offering early education opportunities for children who would otherwise be going without. It feels like Handprints is an extension of our family!
— Anna
Handprints St Ives has since been operating at a high standard and the children, families and educators are very much at home. In June of 2015, Handprints St Ives received the highest rating by the Department of Education of Exceeding the National Quality Framework. This was a wonderful achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Handprints educators. More recently, in January 2020, St Ives once again received the highest rating of Exceeding in all seven quality standards! An outstanding achievement.
Handprints St Ives is a thirty-place centre with low numbers across each of the three classrooms and a focus on caring for every individual child. It is a beautiful place for children to begin their learning journey. The centre places a strong value on excursion and community connections. Children of all ages go on excursions and our Preschool room engage in bush school once per week, whereby they spend the whole day down at Cowan Creek reserve. The centre has a strong philosophy based around being one with nature and believe that children learn values of respect, patience and interconnectedness through their time spent exploring the natural landscapes of the local area.
Rushda
St Ives Director
I am the Centre Director of Handprints ELC, St Ives. I have a Master of Teaching qualification in Early Childhood Education, and I have been in the teaching industry for the past 7 years. Teaching has always been my passion; I started my career as a Dietitian (Master of Nutrition and Dietetics) providing Medical Nutrition Therapy and consultations to patients and their families. Stepping into teaching children came with self-actualisation and a deep sense of purpose. My teaching career began with Primary Education in Dubai, UAE before moving to NSW to pursue Early Childhood and I have never looked back.
As a mum of three (to the embodiment of Alvin, Simon and Theodore), I understand the importance of offering children a safe space to explore and challenge their own knowledge and self-identities, a place to be, become and belong. I believe each child is unique and should be celebrated for who they are. As a teacher, my aim is to advocate for children’s right to experience wonderment, curiosity, confidence, enthusiasm, and to explore their imagination.
I love working with children and educators and being part of their wondrous learning journeys, discussing big questions with them, such as how? why? and more importantly why not? in the process, challenging not just theirs, but also my own thoughts and reasonings to make way for new and more reflective learning.
Magda Gerber said it best - “Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child”
When not Teaching or Directing, my free time is spent on trying out croissants from different cafes and ranking them with my daughter, cooking, writing poetry when inspired, and the never-ending cycle of managing a busy house with 3 children and 3 pets!
Fees
We have a range of fee options with out of pocket costs starting as low as $55 per day (this amount will vary based on your personal circumstances). Contact us to discuss your needs and we will be happy to prepare a proposal matched to your requirements.
Contact Us
102 Warrimoo Avenue
St Ives, NSW 2075
Contact us today to book a tour or ask a question. Fill out the form below or call our St Ives centre on (02) 9188 2068