Parent Infant Classes - Educare Nannies

Mindful, 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 four weekly classes held every Thursday at the beautiful George Smith Memorial Hall, located behind the Paddington Uniting Church. Each 60-minute session offers a calm and nurturing space for parents and their babies to come together to learn, bond, and grow. The next 4-week series begins on the 1st of May, with limited spaces available, just eight 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.

Classes are offered in three developmental stages to best support each baby’s unique journey:

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 she’d be more than happy to assist you in choosing the right class.

Each group is thoughtfully tailored to suit the specific developmental stage of the infants, ensuring that the environment, activities, and guidance are meaningful and supportive of each child’s unique needs.

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What 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.

Book a Class

Meet your facilitator, Erika

Erika Chaires, an Early Childhood Specialist and huge advocate of the RIE Educaring Approach.

Erika holds an Internationally Recognised Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has always been very passionate about making a positive impact in children’s lives.

Educare Nannies allows her to bring that passion to life and to bring the RIE Educaring Approach to even more families across Australia.

Her experience comes from nearly 20 years as an Early Childhood Teacher and Nanny in many countries across the world, including the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Mexico.

She’s continued to add to her qualifications, including completing the RIE Foundations: Theory & Observation Course. This deep dive into the Educaring Approach provides instruction, observation, and self-study, increasing her ability to help others seeking a nurturing start for their families.