welcome to Carnes Hill Montessori Academy
Premium Montessori childcare and preschool in Carnes Hill for children aged six weeks to six years, with nutritious catered meals and convenient drop-off and pick-up parking.
Located on Main Street, Carnes Hill Montessori Academy offers a contemporary, open-plan environment where infants, toddlers and preschoolers can move, explore and learn with purpose. Through carefully prepared spaces and hands-on Montessori experiences, children develop independence, concentration, confidence and strong foundations for school and life.
As part of our wider Sydney and NSW childcare network, the centre supports families across Carnes Hill and the surrounding South West Sydney community.
- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- CCS Approved
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Inside our Carnes Hill childcare and preschool
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 a calm, nurturing environment where they feel safe, supported, and confident to reach their full potential
Alana is a dedicated early childhood leader who is passionate about creating warm, respectful, and engaging learning environments for children and families. As Centre Manager at Carnes Hill Montessori Academy, she is committed to supporting each child’s independence, confidence, and natural love of learning through meaningful Montessori experiences.
Alana believes that strong relationships between children, families, and educators are essential to a positive early learning journey. Her approach is centred on trust, consistency, and creating a strong sense of belonging across the centre.
Through the Montessori philosophy, Alana values each child as a capable learner with their own strengths, interests, and pace of development. Together with her team, she is committed to providing a calm and supportive environment where children can explore, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for school and life.
- Nurturing Learning Environments
- Montessori Trained
- First Aid, Anaphylaxis & Child Protection
- Community Focused Leadership
About Our Carnes Hill Early Learning Centre
Experience Montessori learning in action at our Carnes Hill childcare centre, where activities encourage independence, focus and school readiness.
Rated 5 Stars By Our Carnes Hill Families
Carnes Hill Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Carnes Hills 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 Preschool and School Readiness Program is where the Montessori method truly shines. For families looking for school readiness programs in Carnes Hill, children work independently with hands-on Montessori materials across five curriculum areas, developing focus, problem-solving skills, confidence, and a natural passion for learning that helps prepare them for the transition to primary school.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Carnes Hill 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, sunscreen, and Montessori materials, so you’ll never receive a surprise invoice for extras.
Fees
Daily fees at Carnes Hill. 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 Carnes Hill after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Carnes Hill Montessori Academy
Families choose Carnes Hill 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
Carnes Hill Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Carnes Hill childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
A Day at Carnes Hill Montessori Academy
A Typical Day, From Arrival to Pick-Up
Here is what what your child’s day will look like at our Carnes Hill long daycare centre and preschool.
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 Carnes Hill Childcare Centre
Conveniently located on Main Street, Carnes Hill Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool proudly supports families across Carnes Hill, Horningsea Park, Hoxton Park, West Hoxton, Middleton Grange, Prestons, Edmondson Park, Leppington, Austral, Cecil Hills, Liverpool, and the wider Liverpool City Council area. Positioned close to Carnes Hill Marketplace, local schools, parks, shops, and family services, our centre offers premium Montessori early education with easy access for busy local families.
35 Main St, Carnes Hill NSW 2171, Australia
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Local bus services operate from nearby Carnes Hill Marketplace on Kurrajong Road, with routes including 827, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, and 859. These services connect Carnes Hill with Liverpool, Hoxton Park, Middleton Grange, Edmondson Park, and surrounding South West Sydney suburbs.
Car: Conveniently located on Main Street, the centre offers safe drop-off and pick-up parking for families travelling from Carnes Hill, Horningsea Park, Hoxton Park, West Hoxton, Middleton Grange, Prestons, Edmondson Park, Leppington, Austral, Cecil Hills, Liverpool, and surrounding areas.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Comparing centres nearby? Explore other Montessori Academy locations close to Carnes Hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill? +
When comparing childcare centres in Carnes Hill, 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 Carnes Hill 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 Carnes Hill Town Centre.
Join a thriving community of Carnes Hill and wider City of Liverpool 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.