Balmain Road Centre Background

Balmain Road Childcare & Preschool

Balmain Road Centre

Weekdays 7:00am to 6pm

112 Balmain Road Leichhardt NSW 2040

Welcome to Balmain Road Montessori Academy

Balmain Road Montessori Academy is a boutique Inner West childcare and preschool located within a beautifully restored heritage building, conveniently positioned for families across Leichhardt, Annandale, Lilyfield, Rozelle, Balmain, and the Sydney CBD.

Our 48-place early learning centre is known for its warm community, long-standing team of bachelor-qualified Early Childhood Teachers, and passionate Montessori educators who build genuine relationships with children and families. For children aged six weeks to six years, we offer a calm and structured Montessori Education Program focused on literacy, numeracy, independence, concentration, and genuine school readiness.

Across our thoughtfully prepared Montessori classrooms and engaging outdoor learning environments, children participate in hands-on learning experiences that build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and real-world capability. Families value our authentic Montessori approach, personalised education program, and nurturing environment where every child is supported to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Welcome Video

Daily Fees and Inclusions Before CCS

Fees at our Balmain Road childcare and early learning centre are all-inclusive, with eligible families able to access the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).  Many families pay just $30–$80 per day after subsidy. For example, a family with a $120,000 household income would pay approximately $20 per day for a toddler. Calculate your Child Care Subsidy here.

Child Safety Always Comes First

At Montessori Academy, child safety is the foundation of everything we do. We foster a proactive culture of vigilance, accountability, and care, where every team member is responsible for protecting children and upholding the highest standards of safety and wellbeing.

Through rigorous recruitment and screening, ongoing child protection training, and advanced systems such as real-time compliance monitoring and CCTV, we ensure children are safe, supervised, and supported at all times.

Real-time educator qualifications and clearance verification via Compliance Passport
Hands-On Quality and Safety Leadership Team
Staffed Cot Room Monitors for Continuous Sleep Checks
All Staff have First Aid, CPR, Child Protection
Quarterly medical emergency response and child protection drills
Embedded Safety Policies & Practices with Continuous Audits
Daily Safety Audits for the Physical Environment
Continuous Monitoring of Working with Children Checks
Annual Child Protection & Safety Training
Active Supervision and Audited Supervision Plans
24/7 CCTV Monitoring
LifeVac Choking Prevention Device On-Site
Safe Sleep Audits Every 6 Months
Montessori Academy's Own Online Safety Courses and Quizzes
Child Safety Always Comes First

View Our Balmain Road Childcare Centre

Our Balmain Road childcare centre is conveniently positioned near Norton Street’s vibrant café precinct, Leichhardt Public School, St Fiacre’s Catholic Primary School, Pioneers Memorial Park, and nearby bus and light rail connections. Families love our authentic Montessori learning environments, beautifully restored heritage setting, and engaging outdoor spaces designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and exploration.
Meet Our Centre Manager

Balmain Road Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool Leichhardt

“Hello, my name is Rebecca and welcome to Balmain Road Montessori Academy Leichhardt. I am devoted to fostering a welcoming, inclusive community where every child feels safe, accepted, and valued, allowing them to reach their highest potential.”

Having worked across both primary school teaching and early childhood education, I have developed a deep passion for supporting children at every stage of their learning journey. I am thrilled to be part of the leadership team at Montessori Academy, where I can continue to advocate for high-quality education and build meaningful relationships with children, families, and educators.

I firmly believe that every child has the potential for greatness and deserves a champion who will encourage, support, and nurture that potential. Together with the Balmain Road Montessori team, we aim to inspire confidence, foster a love of learning, and help every child reach their unique capabilities.

By building strong partnerships with families, we aim to give children the solid foundations for school readiness, problem-solving capabilities, confidence, independence, and lifelong skills as they start and continue on their learning journeys.

Learning Personalised to Your Child

Watch your child choose their own work, solve a real problem, and beam with the kind of confidence that doesn’t need your applause. That’s Montessori, and it’s happening every day at Balmain Road Montessori Academy.

Infant Program

At our Balmain Road childcare centre, 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.

Your Child Will

Feel safe, settled, and supported
Build early communication skills
Explore, move and develop at their own pace
Begin developing independence
Feel a sense of belonging
Build problem-solving skills
Infant Program

Toddler Program

The Montessori Toddler Program (2–3 years) supports independence, language, and early maths through purposeful, hands-on learning. In a carefully prepared environment, children build confidence, coordination, kindness and meaningful social skills.

Your Child Will

Feel a sense of belonging as a capable learner
Develop early literacy and numeracy skills
Learn purposeful real life skills
Build focus, concentration, and problem-solving
Develop social and emotional skills
Build independence and confidence
Toddler Program

Preschool Program

Our Balmain Road Preschool Program (3–6 years) builds strong foundations for school readiness through practical life, sensorial learning, early literacy and numeracy, and a deeper understanding of the world. Our Balmain Road childcare centre is also eligible for the NSW Government’s Start Strong Preschool Funding Program.

Your Child Will

Feel confident and capable as a Montessori learner
Build communication skills, kindness, and courtesy
Achieve high levels of independence and responsibility
Build focus, concentration, and persistence
Achieve school readiness socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically
Problem-solve, build resilience, and think creatively
Preschool Program

Why Families Choose our Balmain Road Childcare Centre

Families choose Balmain Road Montessori Academy for its warm educators, clean and spacious learning environments, strong communication, and diverse community where children feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

Book a Tour at our Balmain Road Childcare Centre

Places Available

A tour is the best way to experience Balmain Road Montessori Academy for yourself. Come and watch the Montessori work cycle come to life, children moving purposefully, choosing freely, and deeply focused on what they are doing. Please bring your child along. If your preferred time isn’t available, our Family Care Team would love to hear from you on 1300 000 162.

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Languages we speak at this campus
English English
Mandarin Mandarin

Everything Your Child Needs

At our Balmain Road childcare centre, we include everything your child needs for a full day of learning and care, from nutritious meals to engaging incursions. We take care of the essentials so you can enjoy a smooth, stress-free drop-off each day.

Nutritious Meals
Nappies and Wipes
Communication App
Qualified Educators
Enrichment Programs
Child Safe Organisation
Sun Safe
Allergy Aware

The Montessori Difference

Balmain Road Montessori Academy delivers a proven approach to learning that you can see, feel, and experience through your child’s growth and passion for learning.

Montessori Curriculum

We deliver a blended Montessori Curriculum that incorporates both Montessori Education and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). These programs work together to build your child’s confidence, independence, and essential skills for school and life.

Practical Life

Activities that develop coordination, concentration, independence, and a sense of order through everyday tasks.

Sensorial

Materials designed to refine the senses and help children observe and classify the world around them.

Mathematics

Hands-on materials that make abstract mathematical concepts tangible and accessible to young learners.

Language

Purposeful language experiences that build phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and early literacy skills.

Culture

Exploration of geography, history, science, art, and music to broaden children's understanding of the world.

Wellbeing

Activities that support children's physical and emotional development, social skills, child safety, and connection to nature.

Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are scientifically designed to support your child’s learning step by step, building confidence and deep understanding through repetition and practice.

Children choose activities, work at their own pace, and learn through hands-on experiences. Montessori is learning you can feel.

Hands-on Learning
Scientifically Designed
Simple to Complex
Learning You Can Feel
Montessori Materials

Prepared Environment

Our prepared environments are calm, intentionally designed learning spaces that support freedom of movement, choice, and independence, with a strong sense of routine and order.

Each classroom is thoughtfully arranged for each stage of development and every material has a purpose and place. This structure helps children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Freedom with Clear Boundaries
Consistent Routine and Order
Designed for Independence
Calm, Purposeful Spaces
Prepared Environment

A Typical Day at Balmain Road Montessori Academy

Our daily routine at our Balmain Road day care centre is a balanced blend of learning and play, supporting children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

Children engaged in the Montessori work cycle at Montessori Academy

Montessori Work Cycle

Our day begins with the Montessori work cycle, a calm, uninterrupted period of learning where children build concentration, independence, and confidence through hands-on learning at their own pace, guided by our educators.

Infants follow individual rhythms. Toddlers explore with growing independence. Preschool children engage in deep, focused work with minimal interruption. This is where independence begins and children learn to direct their own learning with confidence.

Children enjoying meal times at Montessori Academy

Meal Times

Mealtimes are a meaningful part of the Montessori day, building independence and everyday life skills. Children set the table, serve themselves, and clean up, developing confidence and responsibility.

Infants follow individual routines. Toddlers enjoy shared meals that encourage self-feeding. Preschool children participate in progressive or communal meal times that respects their focus.

Our fresh, rotating menu is nutritious and culturally diverse, supporting growing bodies and active minds.

Children exploring and playing outdoors at Montessori Academy

Outdoor Play

Outdoor play is an essential part of our daily rhythm, morning and afternoon.

Our outdoor environments extend learning beyond the classroom through movement, exploration, connection with nature, and imaginative play.

Children build strength, coordination, and confidence while connecting with nature. Our outdoor learning program and Munch & Move support physical development, fundamental movement skills, and overall wellbeing.

Children participating in group time at Montessori Academy

Group Time

Group time brings children together for connection, communication, and shared learning.

Through stories, projects, music and movement, and guided experiences including grace and courtesy, language, culture, and creative arts, children build confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

Infants engage in spontaneous group times throughout the day. Toddlers and preschoolers engage in planned and spontaneous group times to adapt learning to children's needs and interests.

Children resting and enjoying quiet activities at Montessori Academy

Rest and Quiet Activities

Rest time supports each child's wellbeing.

Infants follow their individual sleep routines to support consistency between home and school.

Toddlers have a consistent rest period with quiet activities available for children who do not nap.

Preschool children rest or engage in Montessori work, quiet activities, and school readiness experiences.

This time allows children to reset and return to learning feeling refreshed.

Children enjoying the afternoon routine at Montessori Academy

Afternoon Routine

The afternoon routine is engaging and full of energy, with a dynamic blend of indoor and outdoor play, creative experiences, and exploration.

Children reconnect over afternoon tea before moving into outdoor adventures, nature-based play, music and movement, and group games, building social skills, confidence, and connection.

This time encourages teamwork, communication, and a sense of belonging as children learn through fun, shared experiences.

Children winding down during the evening routine at Montessori Academy

Evening Routine

As the day winds down, children enjoy a relaxed mix of free play, creative activities, building, and problem-solving, along with opportunities to connect with their peers.

A late afternoon snack helps keep children satisfied and settled through to pick-up time.

At pick-up, educators share highlights from your child’s day, with daily routines, meals, sleep, and key moments also recorded in our family communication app to keep you connected.

How to Get Here

Conveniently located in Leichhardt’s vibrant Inner West community, Balmain Road Montessori proudly welcomes families from Leichhardt, Lilyfield, Rozelle, Annandale, Haberfield, Drummoyne, Balmain and surrounding Inner West suburbs.

 

112 Balmain Rd, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia

Operating Hours

Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year

Drop Off & Pick Up

Dedicated parent parking available on-site

Public Transport

Bus: Conveniently located along Balmain Road with nearby bus services including routes 437, 440, 445 and 470, providing easy access throughout Leichhardt, the Sydney CBD and surrounding Inner West suburbs.

Train: Lilyfield Light Rail Station (L1 Dulwich Hill Line, approx. 14-minute walk) offers convenient connections to Central Station, Pyrmont and Dulwich Hill — making it highly accessible and convenient for families commuting throughout Sydney’s Inner West and CBD.

Phone: 1300 000 162

Calculate Your Out-of-Pocket Childcare Fees at Balmain Road

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can significantly reduce the cost of quality childcare at our Balmain Road early learning centre. Most local families with children enrolled are eligible, and many are pleasantly surprised by how accessible high-quality Montessori education can be right here in Balmain Road.

With the 3 Day Guarantee, eligible families receive CCS for a minimum of 3 days per week, regardless of your work or activity status.

Fees

Daily fees at Leichhardt Balmain Road. CCS can reduce your out-of-pocket cost by up to 85.5%.

Infant
0 – 2 years
$193.00/day
Toddler
2 – 3 years
$187.00/day
Preschool
3 – 6 years
$172.00/day

Daily fees shown. Fees are subject to change.

CCS Childcare Subsidy Calculator Estimator

Estimate your out-of-pocket cost at Leichhardt Balmain Road after the Child Care Subsidy.

$
Please enter your household income.
CCS does not apply above $530,000 combined income. You would pay the full daily fee. Learn more at Services Australia
Estimated weekly out-of-pocket
per week
CCS rate
effective after withholding
Centre Leichhardt Balmain Road
Daily fee
Govt hourly rate cap (10 hrs) $146.30
Subsidy calculated on
CCS % (income-based)
Less 5% withholding
Government pays per day
Your gap per day
Days per week
About the hourly rate cap: The government calculates CCS based on an hourly rate cap of $14.63/hr (equivalent to $146.30 for a 10-hour day). If your centre's daily fee is higher than the cap, the subsidy is only calculated on $146.30 — not the full fee.
About the 5% withholding: The government withholds 5% of your CCS entitlement as a buffer against overpayments. This is reconciled at tax time and may be returned to you.
⚠️ This is an estimate only. Actual CCS entitlements depend on your activity test, immunisation status, and other factors assessed by Services Australia. For accurate information, visit Services Australia

Other Nearby Locations

Looking for exceptional childcare near Leichhardt, Lilyfield, Rozelle, Annandale, Haberfield, Drummoyne, Balmain and the wider Inner West community?

Find the perfect Montessori 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 Balmain Road 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 Balmain Road 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 Balmain Road 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 Balmain Road.

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 Balmain Road 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 Leichhardt? +

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.

Ready to begin?
Give Your Child the Foundations for an Extraordinary Future

Join a thriving community of Inner West families who trust us as their early education partner.

Enquire about Childcare at Balmain Road

Book your campus tour today