Opening Late 2028, Lake Heights Montessori Academy will provide premium Montessori childcare and preschool for children aged six weeks to six years, with nutritious meals and NSW Start Strong funding available for eligible families.
Located in Lake Heights, the centre will provide high-quality early learning and long daycare for families across Lake Heights, Wollongong and the surrounding Illawarra region. The purpose-built campus will feature carefully prepared Montessori classrooms and a Montessori and EYLF-aligned curriculum, where children can develop independence, confidence and genuine school readiness through personalised, hands-on learning.
Supporting families across Lake Heights, Wollongong and the wider Illawarra region, the centre will form part of Montessori Academy’s broader network of childcare centres in Sydney.
- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Inside our Lake Heights Early Learning Campus
A Glimpse Inside Our Centre
Inside, calm, prepared classrooms invite children to explore Montessori materials at their own pace. Outside, a pirate ship climbing structure, bike track, sandpits, natural gardens, a cubby house and art areas encourage movement, imagination and confidence.
Centre Highlights
From secure, purpose-built classrooms to fresh daily meals, here's what you can expect at Lake Hieghts Montessori Academy.
Schedule Your Centre Tour
The best way to know if our Earlwood childcare centre is right for your family is to experience it in person. Meet our educators, explore the classrooms, and ask every question on your mind. Please bring your child along, we look forward to meeting you.
Please wait while we confirm your tour.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family. You'll receive a confirmation email shortly.
Taking you to your confirmation page…
Meet Your Centre Manager
Welcome to Earlwood Montessori Academy. I have been working in early childhood education for over 15 years and am deeply passionate about supporting children and creating a safe, nurturing community for every family.
With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, I am proud to lead the dedicated team at Earlwood Montessori Academy. I am deeply passionate about Montessori education and supporting children to discover their interests, build meaningful friendships, and grow into kind, curious, and confident learners.
Our Earlwood childcare centre has been part of this community for many years, and I am privileged to work alongside a team of educators who are genuinely dedicated to the children in their care. Together, we create a nurturing environment where every child is known, valued, and supported to thrive.
- 15+ Years Early Childhood Experience
- Strong Family and Community Relationships
- Montessori Trained
- First Aid, Anaphylaxis & Child Protection
- Community Focused Leadership
- Dedicated to Building Confident Learners
Lake Heights Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Lake Heights Montessori Academy will offer early learning programs built around a blended Montessori curriculum that combines Montessori Education with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), giving children the best of both approaches during these important early years.
Our Infant Program (0–2 years) is thoughtfully structured across key developmental stages. Our educators support your child’s early development through strong relationships, movement, sensory exploration, language development, and early practical life skills within a calm, nurturing environment.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Toddlers are driven by a powerful urge to do things for themselves. Our Toddler program channels this energy through practical life activities, movement, language, sensorial and social skill-building, all within a prepared environment that says "yes" to hands-on exploration.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Our Preschool and School Readiness Program is where the Montessori method truly shines. For families looking for school readiness programs in Alexandria, children work independently with manipulative materials across five curriculum areas, developing the focus, problem-solving skills and natural passion for learning that sets them apart when they transition to primary school.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
What Earlwood Families Are Saying
Earlwood Childcare Fees and Inclusions
We offer a 10.5-hour childcare day from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, with fees charged at a full daily rate. Eligible families may significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs through the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Every daily fee includes snacks, sunscreen, and Montessori materials, so you’ll never receive a surprise invoice for extras.
Fees
Daily fees at Earlwood. CCS can reduce your out-of-pocket cost by up to 85.5%.
Daily fees shown. Fees are subject to change.
CCS Childcare Subsidy Calculator Estimator
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost at Earlwood after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Lake Hieghts Montessori Academy
Lake Heights Families choose our early learning centre for their childcare and early education needs because they can feel the difference. Warm, genuinely engaged educators, calm and structured learning environments, and children who are deeply engaged and thriving.
- Engaged Educators
- Happy Children
- Calm Structured Classrooms
- Visible Learning Progress
- Strong Communication
- Holistic School Readiness
What Your Child's Day Looks Like at Our Lake Hieghts Childcare Centre
Every day at our Lake Heights childcare centre follows a calm, predictable rhythm that helps children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. Routines vary by age group, season, and individual needs.
Arrival & Welcome
Children arrive and settle into the prepared environment. Educators greet every child and family warmly, supporting a smooth, confident transition into the day.
Montessori Work Cycle
During the Montessori work cycle children choose their work and build focus, independence and capability through the Montessori materials. Progressive morning tea is served.
Outdoor Play
Following the work cycle, children transition outdoors to climb, run, explore nature, play, and develop fundamental movement skills through active, child-led play.
Group Time & Lunch
Children come together for guided group experiences that build communication, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Lunch follows and older children set the table and serve themselves.
Rest & Quiet Activities
After lunch, younger children sleep while quiet activities and school readiness experiences are offered for older children. Individual rhythms and rest needs are always respected.
Afternoon & Pick-Up
Communal afternoon tea happens after rest time, followed by outdoor play. Late snack is served at 5:00pm with indoor activities. Educators share the day's highlights at pick-up.
Child Safety Always Comes First At Lake Hights Montessori Academy
Lake Heights Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Lake Heights childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
Find Our Lake Heights Childcare Centre and Preschool
Lake Heights Montessori Academy is located in Lake Heights, in the heart of the Illawarra region, welcoming families from Lake Heights, Warrawong, Berkeley, Cringila, Port Kembla, Primbee, Windang, Unanderra, Wollongong and the wider City of Wollongong area.
78-88 Denise Street Lake Heights NSW 2502
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Routes 34 and 43 operate through Lake Heights along Northcliffe Drive, providing connections to Wollongong, Warrawong, Port Kembla and surrounding suburbs.
Train: Port Kembla North Station is the nearest railway station, approximately 3–4 kilometres from the Lake Heights area, providing connections via the South Coast Line.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Find a childcare centre near you and give your child the best start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Montessori Academy? +
Our daily fee is designed to make busy family life easier. It includes your child's Montessori education program, nutritious meals and snacks, nappies and wipes, and other essential daily care items, so you can feel confident that your child has what they need throughout the day.
Your child is part of a thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment where every part of the day is designed to support independence, concentration, confidence, and development.
How is Montessori different to play-based childcare? +
Montessori is a structured, hands-on approach to early learning where children learn through purposeful activity, repetition, and real understanding. Using scientifically designed materials in carefully prepared environments, children choose their own work, follow their own interests, and build independence, concentration, coordination, and academic foundations at their own pace.
The result is children who become capable, confident learners through meaningful experiences in practical life, language, mathematics, sensorial learning, culture, and social development.
Our focus isn't on entertaining children. It's on activating their natural desire to learn.
Can I book a tour before joining the waitlist or enrolling? +
Absolutely. We encourage every family to visit the centre before making a decision.
A tour is one of the best ways to understand the difference Montessori can make. It gives you the opportunity to explore our classrooms, meet our team, see how children learn in a calm and engaging environment, and ask the questions that matter most to your family. If your child is coming on the tour too, we warmly encourage it as it helps you picture their experience more clearly.
Does Montessori Academy help prepare children for school? +
Yes. School readiness starts from infancy and is built every day through the skills children develop in the Montessori environment.
At Montessori Academy, children build the foundations for school and life through hands-on learning that supports early literacy, numeracy, concentration, independence, social skills, confidence, and responsibility. Rather than being treated as a short-term preschool add-on, school readiness is embedded throughout your child's entire learning journey.
Can I join the waitlist before my baby is born? +
Yes. Many families begin their childcare search while they are still expecting, especially in high-demand areas like .
Joining the waitlist early can help you plan ahead and gives you the best chance of securing your preferred start date and care pattern. Our Family Care Team will guide you through every step, from what we need now to what can be updated once your baby arrives.
How do you help babies and new children settle into care? +
We know that starting childcare is a big transition for both children and parents. Our approach is warm, responsive, and individual to each child.
For infants and younger children especially, we work closely with families to understand home routines, comfort needs, sleep patterns, feeding preferences, and temperament. Our goal is to build trust first, because children thrive when they feel safe, known, and secure.
How will I know what my child is doing each day? +
Strong communication with families is at the heart of the Montessori Academy experience.
From morning and afternoon handover to daily updates via our parent app, monthly learning observations, and developmental milestone reports, we make sure you are always close to your child's world.
What should I look for when comparing childcare centres in ? +
When comparing childcare centres, look beyond surface features and ask what your child will truly gain from the experience.
Consider what is included in the daily fee, how the program prepares children for school, how educators support each child's individual development, and whether the environment feels calm, safe, and purposeful.
The right centre will not only care for your child, it will feel like a true early education partner, actively helping them grow into an independent, confident, and curious learner.
Join a thriving community of families who trust Montessori Academy as their early education partner, backed by more than 25 years of experience, over 100 years of proven Montessori education, and the trust of more than 100,000 Australian families.