Leichhardt Childcare Centre
Premium Montessori childcare in Leichhardt for children aged six weeks to six years, with nutritious meals, nappies, and NSW Start Strong funding available for eligible preschool-aged children.
Located on Norton Street in the heart of Leichhardt, our Montessori early learning centre provides a warm and engaging environment for families seeking high-quality childcare and preschool in Sydney’s Inner West. As part of our trusted Leichhardt childcare and preschool network, the centre supports local families across Leichhardt, Annandale, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Stanmore, Petersham, Camperdown, and surrounding Inner West suburbs.
For children aged six weeks to six years, our calm, hands-on Montessori program supports every stage of development. Through carefully prepared classrooms, purposeful learning materials, and engaging outdoor play spaces, children build independence, concentration, confidence, early academic skills, and genuine school readiness.
- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- CCS Approved
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Take a Look Inside Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre
Experience Montessori learning in action at our Leichhardt childcare centre, where activities encourage independence, focus and school readiness.
Book a Tour
Tour Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre
The best way to know if our Leichhardt 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.
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When children feel safe, respected, and encouraged, they develop the confidence to explore, make choices, and discover what they are capable of.
Chera leads Leichhardt Montessori Academy with a warm and thoughtful approach, creating a centre environment where children feel known, families feel welcomed, and educators feel supported in their work.
She is passionate about the Montessori philosophy and believes children learn best when they are given time, space, and meaningful opportunities to build independence through hands-on experiences. Her focus is on creating calm, engaging learning environments where each child can develop confidence, concentration, curiosity, and a strong sense of belonging.
Chera works closely with families and educators to ensure every child’s individual needs, interests, and development are understood and supported. Together with her team, she is committed to providing a nurturing early learning experience that helps children build the skills they need for school, life, and beyond.
- Strong Relationships with Families
- Montessori Trained
- First Aid, Anaphylaxis & Child Protection
- Community Focused Leadership
Inside our Leichhardt childcare and preschool
View Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre Facilities
Leichhardt Montessori Academy is conveniently located on Norton Street, in the heart of Leichhardt’s lively Inner West community. Families value our experienced team, authentic Montessori classrooms, and three outdoor play areas, where children have space to move, create, explore, and build confidence through hands-on learning. Set within one of Sydney’s most well-known local village streets, the centre offers a warm and practical early learning environment with easy access to nearby shops, cafés, schools, and family services.
Rated 5 Stars By Our Leichhardt Families
Leichhardt early childhood education programs
Leichhardt Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Leichhardt childcare centre is thoughtfully designed for a specific stage of development, combining our authentic Montessori curriculum with the Early Years Learning Framework. Through carefully prepared environments, hands-on Montessori materials, and purposeful learning experiences, children build confidence, independence, and the essential skills needed for school and life.
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. Children work independently with manipulative materials across five curriculum areas, developing the focus, problem-solving, and a natural passion for learning that sets them apart when they transition to primary school.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Leichhardt 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 all meals, snacks, nappies, sunscreen, and Montessori materials, so you’ll never receive a surprise invoice for extras.
Fees
Daily fees at Leichhardt. 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 Leichhardt after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Leichhardt Montessori Academy
Families choose Leichhardt Montessori Academy 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
A Day at our Leichhardt childcare centre
What Your Child's Day Looks Like at Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre
Every day at our Leichhardt 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 at Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre is Our First Priority
Leichhardt Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Leichhardt childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
Find Our Leichhardt Childcare Centre
Conveniently located on Norton Street, Leichhardt Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool proudly supports families across Leichhardt, Annandale, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Stanmore, Petersham, Camperdown, Lewisham, and the wider Inner West Council area.
67 Norton St, Leichhardt NSW 2040, Australia
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Pick up and drop off parking available on-site
Bus: Bus services operate along Norton Street and surrounding main roads, with nearby routes including 437, 440 and 445. These services connect Leichhardt with Five Dock, Rozelle, Balmain, Campsie, Bondi Junction, the Sydney CBD, and surrounding Inner West suburbs.
Light Rail: Leichhardt North Light Rail is the closest light rail stop, providing L1 Dulwich Hill Line services between Dulwich Hill and Central, with connections to Lilyfield, Rozelle, Pyrmont, Haymarket, and the Sydney CBD.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Leichhardt 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 Leichhardt 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 Leichhardt 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 communities like Leichhardt and across north Canberra.
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 Leichhardt 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 in Leichhardt, 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.
At Leichhardt Montessori Academy, families value our authentic Montessori classrooms, experienced team, and recently renovated rooftop outdoor play space that gives children meaningful opportunities to move, explore, discover, and build confidence in the heart of Leichhardt Town Centre.
Looking for exceptional childcare near Leichhardt, Annandale, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Stanmore, Petersham, Camperdown, Lewisham, and the wider Inner West Council area?
Find the perfect Montessori childcare centre near you and give your child the best start.
Join a thriving community of Leichhardt and Inner West 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.