FAQS

Montessori is an educational method created by Maria Montessori in Italy over 117 years ago. It focuses on child-led, stage-based learning and is used in schools across 154 countries.

In Montessori, mixed-age classrooms allow younger children to learn by observing older peers, while older children gain confidence and leadership skills through modelling grace and courtesy and more complex activities.

We welcome enquiries before your child turns three and throughout their preschool and kindergarten years. Upon finalisation of enrolment - typically in the year before your child’s third birthday - you will be asked to confirm your acceptance of a place at the school and pay a placement fee.

No. Enrolment is via an interview process following application. We determine a child’s readiness from three years of age. We support children in building essential skills like decision making and classroom routines. Our environment is set up to cater to the needs of children between the ages of three and six years. The choices of materials consistently interest children because they are meeting a developmental need and/or their interests.

This is a common concern and invariably an unfounded one. During your visit, you may not have seen new children in the classroom. New children often show limited concentration, spend time watching other children and look to the adults to help and guide a lot of the time. This is completely expected. Both older students and teachers offer support, gradually stepping back as the child gains confidence. We also work closely with families to help each new child integrate into our community.

Families with older children are welcome to complete an enrolment application.

No. Start dates are flexible and based on when children turn three. Children can begin at any time as individual learning plans are tailored to their needs. Exceptions may occur if a child’s birthday falls very close to the end of the year in December, in which case enrolment may begin in term one of the following year.

The school operates roughly in alignment with NSW term dates, closing for school holidays. We are open from 8.30 until 3.30pm, with the option of Breakfast Club from 8am. First and last days of the term are usually pupil-free days to allow for preparation of the environment and staff development. Our term dates can be found here.

Yes, we offer a before school care program which operates from 8.00am to 8:30am. For more information click here.

Attending five days a week builds consistent routine and strengthens social bonds. It allows children to fully engage with Montessori’s wide range of activities. When attending five days, children have enough opportunities to practice activities and build their knowledge and skills to progress seamlessly through the Montessori lessons.

Yes, families can benefit from the NSW Government’s Start Strong affordable preschool initiative as part of its Early Years Commitment. Families with children who are at least three years old on or before 31 July 2024 and who are enrolled in a community or mobile preschool service may save up to $4,220 each year. The funding for your child’s fee relief will be provided to our service, directly from the NSW Government, and we will pass this fee relief on to you as a reduction to your fees. You cannot receive fee relief at more than one early childhood education service. Children who have been formally diagnosed with a condition that requires additional support may also be eligible for further fee reductions.

Each child receives individual or small group presentations from the Directress on how to complete specific activities. The lessons are selected from a flexible curriculum that is personalised to the individual. While it may seem like children are making random choices, they are being guided by the Directress. After the lesson, they are given the freedom to work independently. During their first few weeks, they gradually build a repertoire of activities, developing both skills and knowledge. Children then naturally begin practising lessons that have previously been presented. As children master an activity, they are shown ways to extend their skills or given a presentation of a new activity to work on. Children are guided in their choices as required and activities are rotated as needed to provide new challenges, as part of our prepared environment.

The Montessori approach is tailored to each child, allowing them to follow their interests while being challenged at an appropriate level.

Yes, children must be toilet trained before starting. During your enrolment application interview, you can seek guidance as to how your child might be supported to be ready to start at Lindfield Montessori.

Children bring fruit or vegetables for shared morning tea. They are given the opportunity to participate in food preparation as part of Practical Life education. The school also supplies food towards other food preparation activities which vary according to the season and children’s needs. Children that stay for the afternoon have lunch together at 12.00pm each day. Parents are asked to supply a healthy lunch for their children. The children eat lunch together at a dining table, using plates and cutlery, to help build table manners and social skills. Those children staying for the afternoon are asked to bring another piece of fruit or vegetable for shared afternoon tea. All foods brought to school must not contain nuts, in accordance with our strict nut-free policy.

Each of the activities in Montessori have a purpose and build towards the next step in your child’s skills and knowledge. The cycle is designed as a three-year program. For example, as a three-year-old, your child may start spooning grains from one bowl to another, without realising that one of the purposes of the activity is mastering the tripod grip they will later use to hold their pencil. The activities completed in the first two years prepare the children for the kindergarten program, where many of the concepts they learnt previously are brought together. The children also benefit from and look forward to the opportunity to be the leaders in the classroom, as opposed to being the youngest in the school at a conventional primary school. This builds independence, confidence and self-esteem, which prepares them well for moving on to primary school.

Our students continue to a variety of public and private independent schools, including both conventional and Montessori primary schools. Those completing the extended kindergarten program can elect to start year one at their next school.

You can access the latest report by contacting us at admin@lindfieldmontessori.nsw.edu.au

We are a not-for-profit school and aim to keep our fees as low as possible. Please contact us for the 2024 fee schedule at admin@lindfieldmontessori.nsw.edu.au.

No, as we operate during term time only. However, we pass on savings through the NSW Government Fee Relief Program, offering up to $4,347 in 2025 in annual savings for eligible families. Please note that you cannot receive fee relief at more than one early childhood education service.

To find out more, book a classroom visit or email us at admin@lindfieldmontessori.nsw.edu.au