Montessori Childcare in Victoria
Victoria has one of Australia’s most established Montessori communities, with numerous Montessori centres, preschools, and schools operating across Melbourne and regional areas. Families in VIC often choose Montessori for its calm environments, independence-building activities, and gentle, hands-on approach to early learning.
Whether you’re exploring Montessori long day care, preschool programs, or early primary pathways, Victoria offers a diverse and high-quality selection.
Montessori Childcare in Victoria: What You Can Expect
All Victorian Montessori services operate under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and align with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF v2.0). Montessori centres across VIC generally offer:
- Calm, structured learning spaces
- Montessori materials arranged on open, child-accessible shelves
- Mixed-age classrooms, usually for ages 3–6
- Educators trained in Montessori pedagogy
- Consistent routines that help children concentrate and self-regulate
Many Victorian Montessori centres provide programs from infancy through to primary school, giving families a smooth Montessori pathway.
Read More: Learn how Montessori and the NQF work together to improve outcomes for your child.
Montessori Childcare in Victoria – Notable Options
Below are examples of known Montessori centres and schools operating across Victoria.
Melbourne Montessori School (Caulfield & Brighton)
A leading Montessori school offering programs from early childhood to senior school, known for authentic Montessori practice and highly trained educators.
North Eastern Montessori School (St Helena)
Provides Montessori programs from early learning through primary, serving families across northern and eastern Melbourne suburbs.
Bayside Montessori Early Learning (Melbourne Region)
Montessori-inspired early learning programs for toddlers and preschoolers in Melbourne’s Bayside area.
Ballarat & Geelong Montessori Options
Montessori and Montessori-inspired services operate in major regional centres such as Ballarat and Geelong, with growing demand in surrounding regions.
Montessori-Inspired Programs Across VIC
Various preschools and long day care centres incorporate Montessori principles in metropolitan and regional areas.
How to Choose a Montessori Childcare Centre in Victoria
When visiting a Montessori service in Victoria, look for:
- Authentic Montessori materials used purposefully
- Mixed-age learning environments
- Educators who guide, rather than instruct
- A calm, orderly classroom layout
- Visible connections to EYLF outcomes within Montessori lessons
- Respectful, peaceful interactions between educators and children
Quality Montessori centres will be transparent about their philosophy and trained in observation-based practice.
Why Victorian Families Choose Montessori
Families across Victoria are drawn to Montessori because it supports:
- Independence and real-world skills
- Purposeful, hands-on learning
- Emotional resilience through gentle routines
- Respectful communication
- Strong foundations for school readiness
Victoria’s long-standing history with Montessori education gives families a variety of authentic, well-established options.
Montessori Childcare in Victoria FAQs
Q: Is Montessori childcare regulated in Victoria?
A: Yes. All Montessori centres in VIC operate under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and are assessed by the Victorian Department of Education.
Q: What age do Montessori programs start in VIC?
A: Many programs accept toddlers from 18 months, with preschool Montessori environments starting at age 3.
Q: Are there Montessori schools in Melbourne?
A: Yes. Melbourne has several Montessori schools and early learning centres offering authentic Montessori programs.
Q: Do Victorian Montessori services follow EYLF v2.0?
A: Yes. Montessori programs in VIC integrate EYLF outcomes within Montessori curriculum areas and materials.