Nurturing Hearts offers mindful, RIE®-inspired parent and baby classes in Sydney.
Our unique classes have been created to help parents build a respectful, loving and attuned connection with their babies.
Facilitated by Early Childhood Specialist Erika Chaires, these Parent–Infant Guidance Classes provide a calm and nurturing space where parents and babies can learn, bond and grow together. Classes are available in Paddington, welcoming families from across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, and in Balmain for families in Sydney’s Inner West. Each location has its own timetable, venue information and pricing, making it easy to find the class that best suits your family.
Groups are limited in size, ensuring a personalised and supportive experience.
Respectful parenting classes inspired by the RIE® approach
Grounded in the principles of the RIE® Educaring Approach, Nurturing Hearts focuses on slowing down, observing and responding to your child’s individual cues. Parents discover how to create a secure and peaceful environment that supports their child’s emotional, physical and cognitive development, while learning to trust their baby’s natural abilities. Through respectful caregiving and open-ended play, these infant classes gently guide parents to be fully present, allowing their babies to explore, develop and thrive at their own pace.
Paddington
Parent and baby classes in Paddington and Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
Our Paddington baby classes are held on Thursdays at the beautiful George Smith Memorial Hall, located behind Paddington Uniting Church. these classes are convenient for families in Woollahra, Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach, Centennial Park, Bellevue Hill, Double Bay and surrounding Eastern Suburbs.
The next eight-week term includes:
- Walkers
8-week term starting on Thursday 16 July and finishing on Thursday 3 September, 9:00am to 10:30am. - Crawlers and Movers
8-week term starting on Thursday 23 July and finishing on Thursday 10 September, 11:00am to 12:00pm. - Pre Mobile infants
8-week term starting on Thursday 23 July and finishing on Thursday 10 September, 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
Places are limited to six children and their caregivers per group. Click the button to learn more and sign up.
Book a ClassBalmain
Parent and baby classes in Balmain and Sydney’s Inner West
Our Balmain baby classes are held at Beattie Street Health Studio, and are convenient for parents, infants and toddlers from Rozelle, Lilyfield, Leichhardt and Drummoyne and surrounding Inner West Suburbs..
Details of the next eight-week term will be announced soon.
- Crawlers and Movers
8-week term starting TBA. - Pre Mobile infants
8-week term TBA.
Places are limited to eight children and their caregivers per group. Click the button to learn more and sign up.
Book a ClassMindful, RIE Inspired Parent-Infant classes
Nurturing Hearts is a series of mindful, RIE Inspired Parent-Infant classes created to support parents in building a respectful, loving, and attuned connection with their babies.
Facilitated by Erika Chaires, Nurturing Hearts is a series of eight weekly classes held every Thursday at the beautiful George Smith Memorial Hall, located behind the Paddington Uniting Church. Each 90-minute session offers a calm and nurturing space for parents and their babies to come together to learn, bond, and grow. Limited spaces available, just six infants or toddlers and their caregivers per group to ensure a personalised and supportive experience.
Grounded in the principles of the RIE Educaring Approach, Nurturing Hearts focuses on slowing down, observing, and responding to your child’s individual cues. Parents will discover how to create a secure, peaceful environment that supports emotional, physical, and cognitive development, while learning to trust in their baby’s natural abilities. Through respectful caregiving and open-ended play, these classes gently guide parents to be fully present, allowing their babies to explore and thrive at their own pace.
The next round of classes
The next round of classes will run every Thursday from October 16th to December 4th. Click the button to learn more and sign up.
Book a ClassCan’t find a class or time that suits you?
Join the waiting list and we’ll let you know when new sessions are added.
Join the waitlist
Classes for each stage of your baby’s development
Our parent and baby classes are offered across three developmental stages. Each group is thoughtfully tailored so that the environment, play opportunities and guidance are meaningful and supportive of the children’s individual needs.
Around 2–6 Months
This group is for babies who are lying on their back, beginning to turn, and just starting to roll.
At this stage, you and your baby are beginning to settle into a more familiar rhythm as the early newborn days gently fade. You’re starting to notice the unique ways your baby expresses themselves through subtle movements, sounds, and facial expressions and learning how to respond with trust and confidence.
With more quiet alert time between care routines, your little one is ready to begin exploring their body and the world around them in a gentle, natural way. These classes provide a calm and nurturing space for babies to lie on their backs, move freely, and begin to discover their own capabilities. It’s a special time to support their early development while deepening your connection through mindful observation and presence.
Around 7–16 Months
This class is for babies who are creeping, crawling, or beginning to pull themselves up to stand.
As your baby becomes more mobile, their world and yours begins to expand. With each new movement comes a new way of experiencing their environment, and a new opportunity for connection. This stage invites a deeper level of cooperation between you and your child, as they begin to assert more independence while still seeking your presence and support.
Together, we explore how to navigate this exciting period with mindfulness and respect creating a safe, enriching space that encourages exploration, while remaining attuned to your baby’s changing needs and growing curiosity.
Approximately 16 –24 Months
Life comes with ups and downs, and with Educare Nannies, you’ll be able to handle them. This class is for toddlers who are just beginning to walk or are confidently on the move.
With new steps come new discoveries. As your toddler begins to explore the world on two feet, they also begin to explore a deeper sense of self seeking more independence while still turning to you for connection and reassurance.
This stage brings exciting changes in how you relate to your child. Their communication, emotions, and curiosity are expanding, and so too is their desire to do things on their own. In this class, we support you in navigating this transition with presence and care offering a calm, respectful environment where your toddler can safely explore their growing abilities and you can deepen your understanding of their evolving needs.
If you’re unsure which group would be the best fit for your little one, feel free to reach out to Erika at info@educarenannies.com. Erika will be more than happy to assist you in choosing the right class.
Book a ClassWhat We’ll Explore in Each Session
In Nurturing Hearts, we’ll delve into the principles of mindful caregiving and child development, offering you the tools to create a nurturing and respectful environment for your baby. Here’s what you can look forward to:
The Importance of Connection in Everyday Routines
Discover the significance of building a strong, meaningful connection during daily activities such as nappy changing, feeding, and bathing.
The Art of Observation: Do Less, Observe More
Learn how to step back and observe your child’s cues, allowing you to respond thoughtfully to their needs and support their growth.
Creating a Nurturing Environment
Explore how to create a calm, enriching space that encourages exploration, security, and joy for both you and your little one.
Encouraging Free Movement
Understand the importance of allowing babies to move freely, helping them develop their motor skills and confidence at their own pace.
The Value of Uninterrupted Play
Appreciate the benefits of giving your child time for uninterrupted play, which supports their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Establishing Rhythms of the Day
Discover how predictable routines support discipline and create a sense of security and stability for your child.
Building Healthy, Peaceful Relationships
Learn how to nurture a calm, respectful relationship with your baby, strengthening your emotional connection. This will help your child develop a secure attachment, which is essential for their future relationships and emotional well-being.
…and much more, all aimed at fostering a nurturing and positive experience for both you and your child.
Meet your facilitator, Erika
Erika Chaires is an Early Childhood Specialist and a passionate advocate for the RIE® Educaring Approach.
Erika holds an internationally recognised bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is committed to making a positive difference in children’s and families’ lives.
Through Educare Nannies and Nurturing Hearts, she brings her experience and passion to families seeking a respectful, relationship-based approach to parenting and early childhood development.
Erika has more than 20 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher and nanny in countries including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.
She has continued to expand her professional knowledge and has completed the RIE Foundations™: Theory and Observation course, and the RIE® Practicum™. She is continuing on the pathway to becoming a RIE Associate™.
Her study of the Educaring® Approach—including instruction, observation and independent learning—strengthens her ability to support parents seeking a nurturing and respectful beginning for their families.
Erika Chaires
Join a Nurturing Hearts class in Sydney
Whether you’re looking for baby classes in Paddington, parent and baby classes in Balmain, or respectful parenting support in Sydney, Nurturing Hearts offers a calm place to connect with your child and grow in confidence together.
Compare the upcoming class times and choose the location and developmental group that best suits your family.
Nurturing Hearts – Crawlers and Movers: July 2026
8-week term starting on Thursday 30 July and finishing on Thursday 17 September
11:00 am
–
12:00 pm
The George Smith Memorial Hall, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
$296
Limited to 6 places only
Nurturing Hearts – Walkers: July 2026
8-week term starting on Thursday 16 July and finishing on Thursday 3 September
9:00 am
–
10:30 am
The George Smith Memorial Hall, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
$296
Limited to 6 places only
Nurturing Hearts – Pre Mobile Infants: July 2026
8-week term starting on Thursday 30 July and finishing on Thursday 17 September
1:00 pm
–
2:00 pm
The George Smith Memorial Hall, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021
$296
Limited to 6 places only
Our classes in Balmain will be announced soon! Email info@educarenannies.com to receive updates.
Can’t find a class or time that suits you? Email info@educarenannies.com to join the waitlist, gain earliest access to playgroup enrolment, or to be contacted if a spot opens up in a current group.
About the venues
Paddington | Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
The George Smith Memorial Hall, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW 2021
The George Smith Memorial Hall is at the back of Paddington Uniting Church. The entry to the hall is on the side on 2 Newcombe Street.
Balmain | Sydney’s Inner West
The George Smith Memorial Hall, Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW 2021
The George Smith Memorial Hall is at the back of Paddington Uniting Church. The entry to the hall is on the side on 2 Newcombe Street.
