The questions parents actually ask us.

We welcome children from 12 months through to 6 years across three age-appropriate programs:

• Babies (12 months – 2 years) — a sensory-rich environment with gentle routines and natural materials
• Toddlers (2 – 3 years) — purposeful work, language and practical-life skills
• Kindergarten (3 – 6 years) — our VIT-led, Free-Kinder-funded program
  The centre is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and is closed on Victorian public holidays.

We are located at 21-29 Princes Highway, Norlane VIC 3214 (North Geelong), within the Geelong Healthcare Precinct — alongside Orbit Medical Centre, Norlane Dental Service, Geelong Sleep Dentistry and Forestry Café. It's a setting many parents tell us feels reassuring, and one that makes school-run logistics like coffee, scripts and dental appointments easy to fold into the day.

Families travel to Montessori Minds from across Norlane, North Geelong, Corio, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill, Hamlyn Heights, Herne Hill, Manifold Heights, Geelong West, Newtown, Geelong CBD and Lara. Most families find we are a 6 to 15-minute drive from home.

The enrolment journey at Montessori Minds is designed to give your family time to feel comfortable before any commitment is made:

• Step 1 — Book a tour. A walk-through of the prepared environment so you can sense the space your child will spend their days in.
• Step 2 — Understand your fee. We share daily fees, current room availability, an estimate of your fee after CCS, and the enrolment paperwork. Detailed fee information is also published at our Enrolment Fee page.
• Step 3 — Two orientation sessions. Before your child's official start date, they meet their educators and settle into the rhythm of the room.
• Step 4 — Welcome. Your child begins their journey with us, and you receive daily updates through our parent app.

To begin, call us on (03) 5222 8135 or book a tour online.

If your preferred days are not currently available, you are very welcome to join our waitlist. We review the list regularly and contact families as places open. There is no cost to join the waitlist, and being on it does not commit you to enrolling.

Many families plan their childcare 6–12 months in advance — particularly for Babies and Kinderga

Yes. Families can enrol for as few as 2 days per week or for full 5-day weeks, depending on availability in the chosen room. From 5 January 2026, eligible families can also access a minimum of 3 days (72 hours per fortnight) of subsidised care under the CCS 3-Day Guarantee — regardless of work or study activity.

Yes. We are located on the Princes Highway in Norlane — directly on the route between Geelong's northern suburbs and the city, and within easy reach of the M1 (Geelong Ring Road) for parents continuing on to Avalon, the Bellarine, Werribee or Melbourne.

Our 7:00 am opening means most parents can do their drop-off and still arrive at work on time. The healthcare-precinct setting also means parking is straightforward, and there is no need to navigate narrow back streets at peak hour.

Daily fees vary by room (Babies, Toddlers, Kindergarten) and reflect the cost of delivering a fully prepared Montessori environment, qualified educators, hot meals cooked on site, an enrichment program (music, yoga, language, sustainability) and our parent communication app.

Detailed fee information for each room is published on our Enrolment Fee page.

After the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy (CCS), most families pay a significantly lower out-of-pocket amount than the headline daily rate. Eligible 3 and 4-year-old children may also access Free Kinder funding, further reducing fees during the kinder year.

For a personalised CCS estimate, call us on (03) 5222 8135 — we're happy to walk through the maths with you so there are no surprises.

The CCS is the Australian Government's primary form of fee assistance for early childhood education and care. The amount you receive depends on your family's combined income, the activity level of parents (work, study, volunteering, or job-seeking), and the type of care.

CCS is paid directly to the centre, and you pay only the gap fee. Eligibility is assessed by Services Australia, not by us — you can check yours via the myGov portal or Centrelink. Our admin team can help you understand how the subsidy is likely to apply at our daily rates.

From 5 January 2026, eligible families can access a minimum of three days (72 hours per fortnight) of subsidised early childhood education and care under the CCS — regardless of whether parents are working or studying. This change is administered by Services Australia and is designed to support consistent attendance for children.

Montessori Minds is an approved provider, and eligible families can use their guaranteed hours with us. Read more about the 3-Day Guarantee on our dedicated page.

Free Kinder is a Victorian Government initiative that funds up to 15 hours per week of kindergarten for eligible 3 and 4-year-old children at participating services. Our Kindergarten Program is delivered within a long-day-care setting and is led by a VIT-registered Early Childhood Teacher, in line with the requirements of a funded kinder program.

Families enrolled in our Kindergarten room may be eligible to access Free Kinder funding, which is applied as a fee offset on your invoice. In 2026, eligible families can save up to $2,101 per child per year for the standard 15-hour program — Pre-Prep extended hours may carry additional savings. Eligibility and entitlements are set by the Department of Education, and we are happy to talk through how it applies to your family during your tour.

The daily fee covers everything your child needs for the day at Montessori Minds:

• Full Montessori program led by qualified educators
• Five meals and snacks cooked on site each day (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, late snack)
• Nappies, wipes and sun protection
• Enrichment experiences — music, yoga, dance, language exposure, cooking, sustainability projects
• Daily updates and learning stories through the Story Park parent app
• Cultural celebrations and most centre-based incursions throughout the year

A one-off enrolment fee applies; this is shared transparently before you commit. From time to time, off-site excursions that involve external transport may carry a small additional bus charge — when this is the case, it is clearly communicated to families in advance.

No hidden costs. Our daily fee covers all meals, materials, enrichment programs and ordinary daily costs. There is a one-off enrolment fee, which we disclose upfront. The only situation in which an additional charge may apply is for the occasional off-site excursion that requires external bus transport — and where this is the case, families are notified in advance and can opt their child in or out.

Yes. Our CEO Aseem Gupta has completed Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) training, and our Centre Head Dr Ekta Sharma has completed the AMI leadership course. Our prepared environments, hand-selected materials and educator practice follow recognised Montessori principles, alongside the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0) and the National Quality Framework.

Montessori practice and the EYLF share a remarkable amount of common ground. Both place the child at the centre, both value play-based and self-directed learning, and both emphasise belonging, being and becoming as the foundations of the early years.

Our program is delivered in full alignment with the EYLF V2.0 outcomes and is assessed against the seven Quality Areas of the National Quality Standard. Dr Sharma has also published on the alignment between Montessori practice and the EYLF in Early Childhood Education Insights.

Not at all. While children who begin earlier have more time to absorb the rhythms of a Montessori environment, our 3–6 Kindergarten room welcomes children who are new to the approach. The mixed-age structure means older newcomers benefit from observing established routines, and our educators tailor the introduction to your child's pace. Every child develops at their own pace, and our role is to meet them where they are.

Our Kindergarten Program supports school readiness through a combination of authentic Montessori practice and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Led by a VIT-registered Early Childhood Teacher, the program supports development across:

• Early literacy — phonics, vocabulary, storytelling and pre-reading skills
• Early numeracy — concrete materials that support number sense, sequencing and pattern
• Social-emotional regulation — grace, courtesy, conflict resolution and emotional vocabulary
• Practical life skills — independence, focus, responsibility and care of self and others
• Cultural awareness — geography, science, art, music and respect for difference

Educators document each child's progression and share it with families through Story Park, our parent communication app. Every child develops at their own pace.

For more details about our funded Kindergarten Program — including how the daily program is structured and how it links to school readiness — visit our Kindergarten Program page.

You don't need to recreate a classroom at home — small, considered changes can make a meaningful difference:

• Set up child-height shelving with a small selection of activities your child can access independently
• Involve your child in real practical-life work — washing fruit, setting the table, watering plants
• Choose natural materials over plastic where you can — wooden toys, fabric, real implements at child size
• Allow uninterrupted work time — when your child is focused, try not to interrupt
• Spend time outdoors — gardens, parks, walks — every day if possible

Dr Sharma is always happy to share more home-Montessori suggestions during a tour or during one-to-one discussions.

Each room follows its own developmentally-appropriate rhythm, but a typical Toddler or Kindergarten day might look like this:

• 7:00 – 8:30 · Arrivals, breakfast, quiet activities
• 8:30 – 11:00 · Uninterrupted Montessori work cycle — children choose activities and work at their own pace
• 11:00 – 12:00 · Outdoor play, garden work, sensory exploration
• 12:00 – 1:00 · Hot lunch, group song, transition to rest
• 1:00 – 3:00 · Rest or quiet activities for non-sleepers
• 3:00 – 5:00 · Afternoon tea, enrichment (music, yoga, language), outdoor play
• 5:00 – 6:00 · Late snack, calm activities, departures

Babies follow a more responsive routine guided by individual sleep, feed and play patterns.

Yes. Our daily menu includes breakfast, morning tea, a hot lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack, all cooked on site each day in our centre kitchen, in line with Australian Dietetics Association guidelines.

To protect children with allergies and ensure all food meets our nutrition and food-safety standards, outside food is not permitted at the centre, with the exception of medically-required items. We accommodate cultural, religious and medically-required dietary needs, and the menu reflects the cultural diversity of our community — children at Montessori Minds may try foods from many of the cuisines represented by our 60+ family nationalities. The menu is shared with families in advance.

Yes. Birthdays are wonderful — and we love marking them with the children. Out of consideration for food allergies and the differing financial circumstances of our families, Montessori Minds follows a No Gift Policy. Instead of presents, we encourage celebrations that focus on smiles, heartfelt cards and meaningful notes. Our educators will plan a small in-class moment to celebrate your child's day.

Communication is a daily practice at Montessori Minds, not a periodic event:

• Story Park — our parent app shares your child's daily routine (food, sleep, nappy changes), photos and learning stories from each day
• Daily verbal handover at drop-off and pick-up with your child's educator
• Parent–teacher meetings at key transition points
• Open-door policy — Dr Sharma and the leadership team are available by appointment for any concern
• Family events & cultural celebrations throughout the year

Beyond the core Montessori curriculum, our program is enriched with weekly experiences in music, yoga, dance, language exposure, cooking, sustainability and gardening. We also host puppet shows, a stage program for confidence-building, and seasonal cultural events including NAIDOC Week, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Eid, Christmas, Easter and many more.

Our Henny Penny Hatching Program brings real chickens into the centre for children to care for over several weeks — a hands-on lesson in life cycles, responsibility and gentleness.

Read more about how the enrichment program is woven through our daily routine on our Kindergarten Program page.

Yes — every day, weather permitting. Outdoor learning is integral to our program. Our garden includes a vegetable patch, sensory plants and natural play areas. Children dress for the weather, apply sun protection in line with our SunSmart policy, and are supported to engage with the outdoors as a natural extension of the classroom.

The first transition from home is full of emotion — for children and for parents. We support both.

Every family is offered at least two orientation sessions before the official start date, scheduled at different times of day so your child experiences different parts of the routine. The Centre Head meets with you before orientation to discuss your child's needs, comfort routines, and any cultural or dietary considerations.

Settling looks different for every child. Some children find their feet within a few days; others take a few weeks. Our educators communicate openly with you about how your child is going, and we adjust the pace where needed.

Some children take longer than others to settle, and that is completely normal. Our educators are trained to support children through transitions — using familiar comfort items, predictable routines, and a calm, unhurried response to distress.

If your child is finding it especially difficult, we work in partnership with you. That may mean shorter days during the settling period, additional orientation visits, or a meeting with Dr Sharma — who is also a qualified counsellor with a Master's in child development. The goal is always your child's wellbeing, not a fixed timeline.

Learning to live and play with others takes time and practice. Our educators are trained in positive behaviour guidance — supporting children to recognise feelings, regulate responses and develop the social-emotional skills that underpin lifelong relationships.

We do not use punitive approaches. Where additional support may help, we work in partnership with families and, where appropriate, allied health professionals.

We are committed to inclusion as both a value and a practice. Montessori Minds was recognised at the 2025 Geelong Business Excellence Awards for our work as an Inclusive and Accessible Business.

If your child has additional needs — whether sensory, developmental, medical or behavioural — please share this with us during your tour or enrolment conversation. We will discuss honestly what support we can offer, work with relevant allied health professionals, and where appropriate connect with the Inclusion Support Program.

Montessori Minds is a registered Child Safe Organisation and complies fully with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. Every educator at our centre holds:

• A current Working with Children Check
• Current first aid, anaphylaxis and CPR certification
• Mandatory child protection training

Our Child Safe Policy, Code of Conduct and E-safety Policy are publicly available on our website. Children's voices, dignity and rights are central to how we plan, supervise and respond every day.

We administer only medication that is prescribed by a doctor, clearly labelled with your child's name and dosage, and accompanied by a completed medication form. Medications must be handed directly to an educator at drop-off — never left in your child's bag.

For children with anaphylaxis, an EpiPen and a doctor-signed Anaphylaxis Management Plan must be provided. All educators are trained in anaphylaxis response.

Our centre is co-located within the Geelong Healthcare Precinct — alongside Orbit Medical Centre, Norlane Dental Service, Geelong Sleep Dentistry and Forestry Café, all within metres of our front door — so medical support is exceptionally close at hand.

We follow a SunSmart approach. Children wear wide-brimmed or bucket hats outdoors, and we apply sunscreen before outdoor sessions during high-UV months. We provide sunscreen at the centre; if your child has a preferred or allergy-friendly brand, please supply it.

We follow the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Staying Healthy guidelines and Victorian Department of Health exclusion periods for infectious illnesses. If your child becomes unwell during the day, we will contact you to collect them and ensure they are made comfortable until you arrive.

If your child has been unwell at home, please keep them comfortable until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours before returning — it protects the whole community.

Our families come from over 60 nationalities and our educators from 16 countries. Our community includes families with heritage from India, the Philippines, Sudan, Afghanistan, Karen communities, China, Vietnam, Italy, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Pacific and many more.

We celebrate cultural events throughout the year, share home languages where appropriate, and ensure children see themselves reflected in our environment. Our Culture Wall is one of the first things visitors notice.

Families are welcomed as active partners. You're invited to:

• Volunteer to share a skill, language, recipe or cultural tradition with the children
• Attend orientation, workshops and family events throughout the year
• Provide feedback on our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and program
• Participate in initiatives — sustainability projects, charity drives, community events
• Contribute to our cultural celebrations, NAIDOC Week activities and Reconciliation work

Information is made available in multiple languages where possible, and we support families with language barriers to feel fully included.

Sustainability is woven through daily life at Montessori Minds. Our centre has been recognised with the Early Childhood Australia Sprout Award for our everyday commitment to sustainability and nurturing confident young eco-leaders.

Children participate in gardening, composting, water-wise practice, the Henny Penny Hatching Program, and seasonal projects that connect them to the cycles of nature. The intent is simple: children who learn to care for their environment as young children grow into adults who do the same.

Yes. We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our centre stands, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Our Vision for Reconciliation outlines our practical commitments to embedding First Nations perspectives in our program. NAIDOC Week and other significant moments are observed meaningfully each year.