Welcome To Clayton Montessori Academy
Premium Montessori childcare and kindergarten in Clayton for children aged six weeks to six years, with nutritious meals, nappies and Victorian Free Kindergarten included.
Located on Donald Street, Clayton Montessori Academy offers a carefully prepared learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, practise new skills and become increasingly independent. Through purposeful Montessori activities and hands-on materials, children develop concentration, confidence and strong foundations for school and life.
As part of our wider Melbourne and Victoria childcare network, the centre supports families across Clayton and Melbourne’s south-east.
- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- CCS Approved
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Inside our Clayton childcare and kindergarten
A Closer Look at Our Prepared Environment
Explore our classrooms and outdoor spaces below, all purposefully built and prepared for hands-on learning, exploration, independence and confidence at every stage.
Ready To Book Your Tour?
The best way to know if we’re 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 known, supported and confident as they discover what they are capable of
Geeta is passionate about creating a calm, welcoming environment where children feel secure, valued and excited to learn. She believes strong relationships with children and families are at the heart of a positive early learning experience and is committed to making every family feel connected to the centre community.
Inspired by the Montessori approach, Geeta values giving children the time, space and encouragement to explore their interests, make meaningful choices and develop independence at their own pace. She takes pride in supporting learning environments where curiosity is encouraged and children can build confidence through purposeful, hands-on experiences.
Together with her team, Geeta is committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is supported to grow into a capable, confident and enthusiastic learner.
- Child-Centred Leadership
- Montessori Trained
- Strong Family Partnerships
- Positive Team Culture
About Our Clayton Early Learning Centre
Experience Montessori learning in action at our Clayton childcare centre, where activities encourage independence, focus and school readiness.
Rated 5 Stars By Families
Clayton Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Clayton centre is designed for a specific stage of development, blending our authentic Montessori curriculum with the Early Years Learning Framework. In carefully prepared environments, children build the confidence, independence and skills they need 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 Kindergarten and School Readiness Program is where the Montessori method truly shines. For families looking for kindergarten and school readiness programs in Clayton, children work independently with manipulative materials across five curriculum areas, developing focus, problem-solving skills and a natural passion for learning that supports a confident transition to primary school.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Clayton 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 Clayton. 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 Clayton after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Clayton Montessori Academy
Families choose Clayton 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
Your Child's Safety Comes First
Clayton Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Clayton childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
A Day at our Clayton childcare centre
A Typical Day, From Arrival to Pick-Up
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.
Find Our Clayton Childcare Centre
Conveniently located in Clayton’s thriving City of Monash community, Clayton Montessori Academy Childcare & Kindergarten proudly welcomes families from Clayton, Clayton South, Notting Hill, Mulgrave, Oakleigh East, Mount Waverley, Springvale, Clarinda, and the wider City of Monash area.
19 Donald St, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Multiple bus routes service Clayton Station and the surrounding area, providing convenient connections throughout Clayton, Monash, and Melbourne's south-east.
Train: Clayton Station (Cranbourne, Pakenham & Gippsland Lines) is conveniently located nearby, making daily drop-offs and commuting to Melbourne CBD simple for local families.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Comparing centres nearby? Explore other Montessori Academy locations close to Claytion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Clayton 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 Clayton 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 Clayton 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 Clayton.
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 Clayton 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 Clayton? +
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 from Clayton, Clayton South, Notting Hill, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley, Springvale, and the wider City of Monash 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.