Zetland Childcare Centre
Premium Montessori childcare in Zetland for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with meals, nappies, and NSW Start Strong funding included. As part of Montessori Academy’s network of childcare centres across NSW, Victoria Park Montessori Academy provides families with access to Australia’s leading Montessori early learning program.
Conveniently located within East Village Shopping Centre on Defries Avenue, our Montessori early learning centre provides premium childcare and preschool for families across Zetland, Waterloo, Alexandria, Rosebery, Kensington, Mascot, and Sydney’s inner-city communities.
For children aged six weeks to six years, our calm, future-focused Montessori program builds strong academic foundations, independence, confidence, and genuine school readiness through hands-on learning tailored to every stage of development.
- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- CCS Approved
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Take a Look Inside Our Zetland Childcare Centre
Explore our Zetland childcare centre through a virtual tour of our purpose-built Montessori classrooms, secure outdoor playgrounds, and carefully prepared learning environments.
Book a Tour
Tour Our Zetland Childcare Centre
The best way to know if our Zetland 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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Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and inspired to discover their unique potential through meaningful learning experiences.
Darinna brings more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, including over a decade within Montessori education. Passionate about holistic child development, she is dedicated to creating nurturing environments where children feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to become confident, capable learners who develop a lifelong love of learning.
Her approach centres on building authentic relationships with children, families, and educators to foster a warm, inclusive community where every child feels a true sense of belonging. Leading the team at Victoria Park Montessori Academy, Darinna is committed to delivering high-quality Montessori education that inspires confidence, independence, curiosity, and resilience through purposeful hands-on learning and meaningful daily experiences.
- 15+ Years Early Childhood Experience
- 10+ Years Montessori Experience
- Bright Star Award Recipient
- Excellence in Quality Area One Recognition
- Living Legend Recognition Finalist
- First Aid, Anaphylaxis & Child Protection
Inside our Zetland childcare and preschool
View Our Zetland Childcare Centre Facilities
Victoria Park Montessori Academy is conveniently located within East Village Shopping Centre on Defries Avenue, moments from Green Square Station, Joynton Park, and Sydney's thriving inner-city precinct. Families love our long-standing team, authentic Montessori classrooms, and engaging outdoor environments featuring thriving gardens, dramatic play spaces, and carefully designed learning areas that inspire confidence, creativity, independence, and exploration.
Rated 5 Stars By Our Zetland Families
Zetland education programs
Zetland Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Zetland 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
Zetland 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 Victoria Park. 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 Victoria Park after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Victoria Park Montessori Academy
Families choose Victoria Park Montessori Academy because they can feel the difference. Warm, genuinely engaged educators, calm and structured Montessori learning environments, and children who are confident, capable, and deeply engaged in their learning journey.
- Engaged Educators
- Happy Children
- Calm Structured Classrooms
- Visible Learning Progress
- Strong Communication
- Holistic School Readiness
A Day at our Zetland childcare centre
What Your Child's Day Looks Like at Our Zetland Childcare Centre
Every day at our Zetland 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 Zetland Childcare Centre is Our First Priority
Victoria Park Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Zetland childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
Find Our Zetland Childcare Centre
Conveniently located within East Village Shopping Centre in Zetland, Victoria Park Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool proudly welcomes families from Zetland, Waterloo, Alexandria, Rosebery, Kensington, Mascot, Surry Hills, and Sydney’s vibrant inner-city communities.
4 Defries Avenue Zetland NSW 2017 Australia
Our entry is located on the Ground Floor of East Village Shopping Centre across from Bowan Island Bakery.
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Major bus routes including the 304, 320, 348, and 392 stop directly near East Village Shopping Centre — providing convenient connections to the Sydney CBD, UNSW, Green Square, and the Eastern Suburbs.
Train: Green Square Station (T8 Airport & South Line, approx. 15-minute walk) — making Victoria Park Montessori Academy highly accessible for commuting families across Sydney’s inner-city and surrounding suburbs.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Victoria Park 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 Victoria Park 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 Victoria Park 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 Victoria Park.
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 Victoria Park 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 Victoria Park? +
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.
Looking for exceptional childcare near Zetland, Waterloo, Alexandria, Rosebery, Kensington, Mascot, Surry Hills, Green Square, and the wider City of Sydney area?
Find the perfect Montessori childcare centre near you and give your child the best start.
Join a thriving community of Zetland and inner-city Sydney 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.