About Us
At Hands and Hearts we deliver more than education and care; as a social purpose business we also work with families and the wider community to support our children and families to thrive.
Rated EXCEEDING under the National Quality Standard
Our educational programs and practice are underpinned by the National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework.
We hold a rating of ‘Exceeding National Quality Standard’ for our Coffs Harbour and Kempsey centres through the NSW Department of Education’s quality assessment program, keeping them amongst the top performing centres on the Mid North Coast.
Our Story
Who we are
Our Hands and Hearts not-for-profit long day care centres in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Kempsey, provide a welcoming and nurturing early years learning environment for children to explore, discover and learn through play.
Belonging and wellbeing
We harness, build upon and extend children’s capabilities and interests. By strengthening our children’s sense of belonging, inclusion and wellbeing, they create safe, positive, and trusting relationships with staff, other children, and members of the community.
Social purpose
At Hands and Hearts we deliver more than education and care; as a social purpose business we also work with families and the wider community to support our children and families to thrive.
Cultural recognition
We embed First Nations culture and recognition in our daily lives and learning activities, and support children to become positive participating members of their communities.
Vision
We believe everyone has the right to be valued, to be safe, to have opportunities, and to belong.
Purpose
We provide families and communities with high-quality early education and care that supports children’s lifelong learning and wellbeing, giving children the very best start in life.
Values
We act with integrity
We treat everyone with dignity and value their perspectives. We are accountable, ethical and respectful in all our dealings. We regard safety as one of our highest priorities.
We are adaptable
We are open, innovative, curious and resilient. We adapt to change with a positive attitude, continuously learning and improving to meet new challenges.
We are inclusive
We believe that everyone belongs. We embrace diversity and work for equity. Our services are safe and accessible for all cultures and people. Our workforce is diverse, and our workplace is inclusive.
We are kind
We show compassion, empathy and care in our interactions. We have supportive, warm and trusting internal and external relationships.
We aim high
We strive for excellence in everything we do. We deliver early education and care that exceeds expectations and sets new standards of quality. We are ready for and responsive to opportunities that expand our social purpose.
Our Educational Program
The educational program at Hands and Hearts plays a vital role in shaping a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development during the most formative years of life. In our everyday program, we intentionally embed opportunities for children to build these foundational skills through play-based learning, meaningful interactions, and guided experiences. Language development, problem-solving, and self-regulation are nurtured naturally as children explore, communicate, and engage with their environment.
Our program supports the development of social skills such as cooperation, empathy, and relationship-building, helping children learn to understand and respect others. By integrating these essential skills into daily routines and activities, we create a supportive and enriching environment where children can grow in confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
School readiness is a key focus within our program. We support children in developing the skills and dispositions needed for a successful transition to school, including independence, resilience, early literacy and numeracy, and the ability to follow routines and instructions. Through a balance of structured and play-based experiences, children become familiar with group learning environments, build confidence in their abilities, and develop a positive approach to new challenges. This ensures they are well prepared not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, for the next stage of their educational journey.
Start Strong for Long Day Care Program
The Start Strong for Long Day Care program provides funding to deliver affordable, quality preschool education to children aged 3 and above. The Start Strong Fee Relief is applied in addition to childcare subsidy entitlements. For centres to be eligible for the Start Strong Fee relief the educational program must be developed and delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher and be based on the Early Years Learning Framework. All our centres are eligible.
Work With Us
At Hands and Hearts, our educators are at the heart of everything we do. We have a team of passionate, kind professionals. When you join Hands and Hearts, you’ll be part of a workplace where you are respected, valued, encouraged and trusted.
