St Andrews

An art classroom with a table filled with colorful supplies including watercolor paints, markers, paper, and a painting of rainbows on a sign.

Welcome to Big Bear Academy - St Andrews!

Opened in 2022, Big Bear Academy St Andrews is our second service and we are super proud of it!

St Andrews caters to 37 children per day from
ages 18 months to 6 years old.

There are two rooms at the service:

  • Boo Boo room catering to children from 18 months to 3 years old

  • Yogi room catering to children from 3 to 6 years old

A blue speech bubble with black text that says "FUN FACT" on a dark background.

Maxine, the owner, was the Director at St Andrews from opening until 2024 and loved every minute of it!

Visit us:

Exterior view of Big Bear Academy, a preschool or childcare facility, with a brick building, black fence, and a shaded outdoor play area. There are several trees and flags displaying the academy's signage.
 

Location: 3 Glasgow St, St Andrews NSW 2566

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday - 7am to 6pm

Contact Number: (02) 9603 1696

Email: bigbearacademy.standrews@gmail.com

Why choose Big Bear Academy?

  • Colorful illustration of a yellow backpack with blue and red accents on a solid blue background.

    Leading school readiness programs

    Our highly qualified team will help prepare your child for their transition to school through our carefully tailored program. This includes, but is not limited to group discussions, shared stories, role play, lunchbox week, name writing practice, learning programs (Reading Eggs, Math seeds), road safety and vision & dental checks.

  • A cartoon-style yellow butterfly with green accents on its wings on a green background.

    Fluid learning & play environment

    Fluid learning that continually evolves on a weekly (sometimes daily!) basis to support each child’s development, evolving interests as well as any community or cultural aspects. Fluid learning has many benefits including encouraging decision making.

  • Spacious natural outdoor area

    Professionally landscaped natural outdoor area created using natural materials.

    We believe the great outdoors is a second classroom and use every opportunity to venture outside when we can!

  • A digital illustration of a red apple with a green leaf against a peach-colored background.

    Fresh & abundant meals daily

    Nutritious meals cooked onsite daily by our chef in our commercial kitchen - there is no food budget as we believe healthy eating is critical to a child’s development.

    We are a Munch & Move approved service (a NSW healthy eating and physical movement government initiative) and are continuously kept up to date with the latest developments in this space.

  • Solid yellow background with no objects or details.

    Trusted reputation in the community

    We prioritise relationships as trust is important and has to be earned from children and families. We understand putting your little one in care can be challenging for both the child and families.

    At Big Bear Academy we ensure all children and families feel safe, secure and supported. Our experienced and qualified educators will provide children (and sometimes families!) with cuddles and reassurance too.

    We are the smallest service yet the most recommended in the area for a reason.

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    Double the amount of educators than required

    High educator-to-child ratio all day, everyday with all team members full-time or permanent part-time.

    Not only does this support children’s sense of belonging and wellbeing through continuity of care but also allows for timely communication via the web based Xplor application where learning, nutritional, toileting, sleeping and incident notifications are updated regularly throughout the day.

  • Illustration of diverse hands of different skin tones and colorful bracelets reaching towards a globe, symbolizing unity and global cooperation.

    Respect for our environment & community

    We respect and care for our environments including our natural environment through sustainable practices, our cultural environment through inclusive practices, our community through outreach and our physical environment through caring for our resources and cleaning our service with hospital-grade cleaning system.

    We ensure we pass on these ideas and habits to the children in our care so they can become confident and holistic global citizens.

  • A digital illustration of a yellow sun with a circular center and eight rays, on a matching yellow background.

    Feels like a home away from home

    There is a strong sense of belonging as each child, family member and team member is able to be themselves and and is supported at Big Bear Academy.

    At every opportunity, we make sure everyone who enters the service is comfortable knowing it’s a safe space to shine like the warm glowing ray of sunshine they are!

A woman smiling outdoors in front of green leafy bushes, wearing a black and light blue collared shirt with the logo 'Big Bear Academy'.

Meet the nominated supervisor

Miss Claudia

Hi, my name is Claudia, and I am the Centre Director of Big Bear Academy's service in St Andrews. 

With over 25 years of experience in the early childhood education sector, I have been fortunate to hold a variety of roles that have shaped my approach to leadership and deepened my commitment to providing quality early learning.

One of my greatest passions lies in cultivating authentic, lasting relationships with our families and the broader community. These connections are at the very core of our service, forming a strong foundation from which our children can thrive. I firmly believe that when families and educators work in genuine partnership, children benefit in the most meaningful ways.

There is truly nothing more rewarding than witnessing the growth of our young learners watching them develop confidence, resilience, and an eagerness to explore and understand the world around them.

At St Andrews, I strive to create a warm, inclusive, and inspiring environment where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to discover their identity. It is a privilege to lead a team dedicated to nurturing curiosity, fostering a love of learning, and laying the foundation for lifelong success.

Since joining Big Bear Academy in February 2024, I have been provided with valuable opportunities to further refine my leadership style and enhance my professional skills through comprehensive guidance and mentorship. Big Bear Academy's commitment to excellence in early childhood education has empowered me to grow as a leader, ensuring that I can effectively support our educators, children, and families in creating a high-quality learning experience.

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I am obsessed with Tetris!

Bright and spacious preschool classroom with educational materials, tables, chairs, toys, and a colorful circular rug on light wood flooring, large windows letting in natural light, and green indoor plants.

Daily Routine:
Boo Boo Room

Toddlers: 18 months - 3 years old

  • Our daily routine is flexible, adjusting to the children’s needs, preferences, and weather.

    7:00am  -  Breakfast & Indoor Free Play

    8:00am  -  Indoor/Outdoor Play

    9:30am  -  Morning Tea

    10:00am -  Learning activities

    11:15am  -  Group Time

    11.30am -  Lunch

    12:30pm -  Rest Time

    2:30pm  -  Afternoon Tea

    3:00pm  -  Indoor/Outdoor Free Play

    4:30pm  -  Late Snack

    5:00pm  -  Indoor/Outdoor Free Play

    6:00pm  -  Close

  • Our curriculum is updated on a weekly basis by our educators tailored to support child’s developmental goals and incorporate their individual interests as well as family input and community

    Activities include but are not limited to:

    • Table & Mat Activities

    • Gross Motor Skills

    • Fine Motor Skills

    • Arts & Crafts

    • Music & Movement

    • Science

    • Technology

    • Socialisation/Self

    • Cognitive Activities

    • Wellbeing Activities

Bright classroom with large windows, circular rug, and tables with chairs for children, decorated with plants and learning materials.

Daily Routine:
Yogi Room

Preschool: 3 - 6 years old

  • Our daily routine is flexible, adjusting to the children’s needs, preferences, and weather.

    7:00am  -  Breakfast & Indoor Free Play

    8:00am  -  Indoor/Outdoor Play

    9:15am - Morning Yarning Circle

    9:30am  -  Morning Tea

    10:00am -  Learning activities & School Readiness

    11:45am  -  Midday Yarning Circle

    12.00pm -  Lunch

    12:45pm -  Rest Time & Quiet Activities

    2:15pm - Afternoon Yarning Circle

    2:30pm  -  Afternoon Tea

    3:00pm  -  Indoor/Outdoor Free Play

    4:30pm  -  Late Snack

    5:00pm  -  Indoor/Outdoor Free Play

    6:00pm  -  Close

  • Our curriculum is updated on a weekly basis by our educators tailored to support child’s developmental goals and incorporate their individual interests as well as family input and community

    Activities include but are not limited to:

    • Table & Mat Activities

    • Phonics & Literacy

    • Science

    • Technology

    • Socialisation/Self

    • Numeracy

    • Gross Motor Skills

    • Fine Motor Skills

    • Arts & Crafts

    • Music & Movement

    • Cognitive Activities

    • Wellbeing Activities

Virtual Tour

Pink background with faint, overlapping oval shapes.
Abstract image with a light blue background and three pink oval shapes.
Exterior view of Big Bear Academy, a preschool with a brick building, black fence, and playground with slide, surrounded by trees and flags.
Bright classroom with tables set for a meal, decorated with flowers, and various educational displays and toys. Large windows let in natural light.
A brightly lit preschool classroom with small tables and chairs, toys, books, and educational decorations on the walls, including a cozy reading corner with plush toys and a large bulletin board filled with children's artwork and photos.
An indoor children's play and learning area with small tables and chairs, a rocking chair, a potted plant, and wall decorations, including educational displays and children's artwork.
A classroom display about the ocean, featuring a 3D model of the ocean with toy animals, shells, and signs, on a colorful carpet with educational posters and artwork on the walls.
A bright, organized preschool classroom with play areas, tables, chairs, educational displays, and toys.
A table set for a meal with pastel-colored cups, white bowls, and a decorative cloth, with a leafy plant centerpiece, in a brightly lit room with photos and artwork on the wall.
Bright classroom with large windows, round table with chairs, patterned rug, and various educational displays and artwork on the walls.
A whiteboard with blue writing that reads 'Creation Station.. 'What can you create?', surrounded by spinning tools, a basket with crafts supplies, and soft plush toys in the background.
Whiteboard with pink writing asking "What can you CREATE using puffy paint?" surrounded by colorful puffy paint cups with brushes in a classroom or art space.
Bright, spacious classroom with round tables and chairs, bulletin boards, a large circular rug, and large windows revealing an outdoor play area.
Yellow construction helmet with a
Bright and colorful preschool classroom with rugs, tables, and educational materials, including a globe, world map, and art supplies, with large windows allowing natural light.
Table with baking dough balls, colorful plastic numbers, scissors, rolling pins, and a bowl of multicolored buttons.
A classroom or activity space with a whiteboard that reads 'Creation Station... What can you create?' with a heart and flower illustration. On the table, there is a basket of craft supplies, and in the background, plush toys resembling a blue dinosau
A classroom or art room with a table set up for painting projects, featuring watercolor paints, markers, colored paper, and a small canvas displaying a rainbow of colors.
A table set for a meal with white bowls and plates, pink, yellow, and green utensils, and a centerpiece with pink paper flowers in a green pot, with a second table in the background with similar tableware and decorations.
Indoor play area with colorful dresses hanging on a rack, a wooden toy kitchen, and a table set with white dishes; a black chalkboard wall has writing that says 'Welcome to Big Bear Cottage'.
A wooden deck with a large tree growing through it, featuring a cozy seating area with two cushions, a fluffy rug, and children's books. In the background, there is a play area with sand and toy dump trucks, a playhouse, and a backyard with trees and
A small wooden animal enclosure with a dirt floor containing four plastic dinosaur and animal toys and a small tree stump in the center.
Children's backyard with a sandbox, toys, a small playhouse, and a shaded patio area with a table and chairs, adjacent to a brick house with a slide and outdoor stairs.
Colorful playground area with a blue slide, climbing structures, and a tree in the center, surrounded by artificial grass and enclosed by wooden fencing.
A scarecrow dressed in plaid shirt and bandana, standing in a garden bed with a small plant, two blue watering cans, a green fence background, and colorful artwork and signs on the fence, including a welcome sign and children's drawings about gardeni
Outdoor play area with a wooden deck, low table with plates and cups, decorative pillows, a patterned rug, kids' playground with slides and climbing structures, and a tree in the background.
Indoor play area with a chalkboard wall with the words 'Welcome to Big Bear Cottage' written in light blue, a wooden play kitchen, a clothing rack with colorful dresses, and a table set with white dishes and a small plant.
Child's backyard with sandbox, play equipment, shaded sitting area, playhouse, and a table with toys under a tree.
Backyard with artificial grass, a sandbox, small slide, and a large tree. House with brick walls and large windows in the background.
Backyard with green lawn, small wooden shed, sandbox, brick house with large windows, trees, and solar panels on neighboring rooftops.
Child's backyard playground with a small blue slide, a tree with a wooden fence around its base, a grassy area, and a brick building with large windows in the background.
Backyard with artificial grass, sandbox, wooden deck, small slide, large tree, brick house, and fence, sunny day with blue sky.
Backyard with grass, a blue slide, a wooden playhouse, mature trees, a brick house, and a green fence under a cloudy sky.
Kid's outdoor playground with a miniature road, traffic signs, slide, and artificial grass, surrounded by a brick house, trees, and fences.

Book a Tour Today!

A backyard with artificial grass, a small blue slide, a wooden treehouse, and a swing set, enclosed by a black metal fence, with a building and residential houses in the background under a blue sky.