Step 1 ‐ What age is your child?
0-18 months
With the ever growing popularity of our Long Day Care, Parent Toddler Program and School, now is a great time to explore what we offer and get in early.
But first, we invite you to visit and spend some time with us in a tour of the school, so that you can see for yourself how Montessori works. If a picture is worth a 1000 words, then observing a class will show you better than any explanation how it’s possible for more than twenty 3 to 5 year olds to work independently, peacefully and without chaos!
18 mths – 3 yrs
We have two options for children in this age group:
Montessori Long Day Care
Full days from 7:30am-6pm, Monday to Friday, 49 weeks of the year. CCS rebates are available.
This is an opportunity for children to gain early exposure to a Montessori education, with lifelong benefits, including better academic outcomes, increased levels of social maturity and sensitivity and better executive function. Children learn through movement and experiences within the Montessori highly prepared environment. In this respectful, peaceful space they can develop their independence, self-confidence, language skills and their sense of self. Our room is purpose designed and seen as an extension of the home, enticing children to work and engage with the activities and environment, and fulfilling their need for order and repetition. You can find an application form here.
Parent Toddler Program (Saturdays)
In this program you attend with your toddler for two hours once every Saturday. If your child is already over 18 months, it may still be possible to enrol in the program as places regularly become available. Contact Reception to book a tour as your first step.
3 years plus
The Canberra Montessori School Program starts when the child turns 3. If your child is already in PTP or Long Day Care they will have priority for placement in the school, and they will be perfectly prepared for a smooth transition to their Cycle 1 classroom once they turn 3.
If your child is already over three, but you would still like to explore a Montessori education, we encourage you to come and visit the school and learn more about what we offer and talk to us about what you’d like for your child. Please contact us to book a tour. Our guides will talk to you on the tour about what is involved with an admission for older children.
Step 2 ‐ Placement on our Waiting List
Once you’ve toured the school, please return the application form and fee (CMS Fee Schedule ) to the school office to secure your position on the waiting list for any of our programs. Offers for a place are sent throughout the course of each year for Long Day Care and Parent Toddler Program as spots become available. Offers for Cycle 1 are generally sent at the beginning and middle of each year.
Step 3 ‐ Starting in the classroom
Once you have been offered a place and returned all the necessary paperwork, you will be contacted about an orientation session and start date close to your child’s third birthday.
Please note, your child must be toilet trained before they can start in a Cycle 1 classroom. We recommend starting this process at around the age of 12 to 18 months, when the child has a natural interest and sensitivity for learning this new skill. More information here
