On Saturday August 10, Montessori Academy hosted the Grand Opening of its new 68-place child care centre which has breathed new life into the previously derelict Victorian styled property known as ‘Brooklyn’ built c.1880 located at 284 Burwood Road, Burwood.

In 2015, Montessori Academy began the process of painstakingly restoring and converting the historic home, most notably remodelled by prominent builder Willian Richards, into a purpose-built early learning centre.

The four-year project has seen the property transform from a depilated state into a beautifully restored historic landmark for children’s education, featuring three Montessori classrooms, and three beautifully designed outdoor play areas for children aged 0-6 years.

The property has retained many of its grand Federation era features such as wood fuelled fireplaces, finely crafted tuck pointing and joinery, and a reconstructed Federation period timber fence modelled from early images of the property.

To celebrate Brooklyn’s next chapter, Montessori Academy hosted a Multicultural Festival Fun Day to welcome the local community to its new child care centre. The two-hour event featured an assortment of multicultural food, children’s entertainment, formalities and official ribbon cutting, and campus tours.

The event was attended by more than 900 members from the local community, including notable guests: The Hon. John Sidoti, Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans, and Member for Drummoyne, Ms Jodi McKay, Member for Strathfield and Leader of the Opposition, Councillor John Faker, Mayor of Burwood, Councillor Lesley Furneaux-Cook, Deputy Mayor of Burwood, and Councillor Raj Dixit. Burwood Road Montessori Academy is currently expected to open for classes in the coming months pending service approval from the Department of Education. The child care centre will provide catered enrolment positions to 68 students aged 0-6 years. To make an enquiry about enrolling or waitlisting please contact 1300