FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right early learning centre is an important decision, and it’s natural to have questions. Below you’ll find answers to the questions families ask most often about Montessori Steps, our Montessori approach, enrolment, funding, and daily care. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our friendly team is always happy to help.
Our Centre & Philosophy
What ages does Montessori Steps cater to?
Montessori Steps welcomes children from 6 weeks up to 6 years across four age-based learning environments:
Nursery: 6 weeks to 18 months
Toddler: 18 months to 2 years
Pre-Kinder: 2 to 3+ years
Kinder: 3 to 5+ years
Each environment is thoughtfully prepared to support children’s development through authentic Montessori education.
Nursery: 6 weeks to 18 months
Toddler: 18 months to 2 years
Pre-Kinder: 2 to 3+ years
Kinder: 3 to 5+ years
Each environment is thoughtfully prepared to support children’s development through authentic Montessori education.
Where is Montessori Steps located?
Montessori Steps is located in Noble Park North, Victoria. We welcome families from Noble Park, Keysborough, Springvale, Dandenong, Dandenong North, Dandenong South, Mulgrave, and surrounding suburbs.
What is Montessori education?
Montessori is a child-centred approach to early learning that encourages independence, curiosity, and confidence through hands-on experiences and purposeful activities. Children learn at their own pace in carefully prepared environments, guided by qualified educators who nurture each child’s natural development.
Why choose Montessori Steps?
Montessori Steps was the first Montessori early learning centre established in Noble Park. We combine authentic Montessori education with experienced educators, carefully prepared learning environments, and small class sizes that allow every child to receive personalised attention and support.
What does "small capacity by choice" mean?
We intentionally enrol fewer children to provide more individual attention, stronger educator-child relationships, and calm learning environments where every child is known, valued, and supported.
Funding & Fees
Do you offer a funded kindergarten program?
Yes. Our Kinder program for children aged 3 to 5+ years is delivered by qualified Early Childhood Teachers and educators. The program combines authentic Montessori practice with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) to support school readiness, literacy, numeracy, social development, and independence.
Do you offer the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
Yes. Montessori Steps is an approved Child Care Subsidy (CCS) provider. Eligible families may receive government assistance to reduce childcare fees based on their family income and recognised activity level. Once approved through Services Australia, your subsidy is applied automatically to your account.
Do you offer Free Kinder and Early Start Kindergarten (ESK)?
Yes. Eligible families can access the Victorian Government’s Free Kinder funding for our kindergarten program. We also support eligible children through Early Start Kindergarten (ESK). Our team can help you understand your eligibility and available funding options.
How much does childcare cost?
Our standard daily fee is $165 per day before any government subsidies or discounts are applied.
Eligible families can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), Victorian Free Kinder, and Early Start Kindergarten (ESK), where applicable. Families enrolled five days per week also receive a $50 weekly full-time discount, reducing the weekly fee from $825 to $775 before CCS is applied. We also offer a 30% holiday discount for up to four weeks per calendar year for eligible enrolled families.
Because every family’s CCS entitlement and funding eligibility are different, your actual out-of-pocket cost will vary. Our centre management team is happy to provide a personalized fee estimate based on your family’s circumstances.
Enrolment & Daily Life
What are your opening hours?
Montessori Steps is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 6:15 pm. We operate throughout the year and close only on Victorian public holidays.
How do I enrol my child?
Simply complete our enrolment documentation, provide the required supporting documents, and pay the $100 enrolment fee, which is credited towards your first invoice. Our Centre Management Team will guide you through every step of the enrolment process.
Do you have vacancies?
Vacancies vary throughout the year and across age groups. Contact us with your child’s age, preferred start date, and required attendance days, and we’ll let you know our current availability.
How do you help children settle into care?
We recommend that every family attend at least two orientation sessions before their child’s first day. These visits help children become familiar with their educators, classroom, and daily routine. Once enrolled, consistent educators, predictable routines, and regular family communication help children settle with confidence.
Health, Safety & Regulation
How do you support children's health and wellbeing?
Children’s well-being is supported through responsive care, healthy chef-prepared meals, calm rest environments, and predictable daily routines. Individual sleep, nutrition, comfort, and emotional needs are respected to help every child feel safe, secure, and ready to learn.
What should my child bring each day?
Please pack a clearly labelled backpack containing spare clothes, a broad-brimmed sun hat, weather-appropriate clothing, and any comfort items your child uses for rest time, such as a blanket or soft toy.
Do I need to pack food?
No. Montessori Steps is a nut-free centre, and all meals and snacks are freshly prepared and provided each day. Our on-site chef caters to allergies, medical dietary requirements, and cultural preferences to ensure every child enjoys safe and nutritious meals.
How do you keep children safe outdoors?
We follow Cancer Council SunSmart recommendations. Children wear approved sun-safe hats, SPF 50+ sunscreen is applied before outdoor play and throughout the day, and outdoor learning takes place in shaded environments whenever appropriate.
Is Montessori Steps a regulated early learning service?
Yes. Montessori Steps operates under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and complies with the Education and Care Services National Law, the National Quality Standard (NQS), and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Our service is regulated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and the Victorian Department of Education, ensuring we meet the standards required of approved early learning providers across Victoria.
Regulatory Bodies and Helpful Resources
Montessori Steps is committed to providing high-quality early childhood education in accordance with Australia’s national education and care standards. If you’d like to learn more about Montessori education, government funding, or the regulations that guide approved early learning services, explore the resources below.
Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) — National regulator for early childhood education and care.
Victorian Department of Education – Early Childhood
Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy (CCS) — Information about Child Care Subsidy eligibility, payments, and applications.
Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
Services Australia – Child Care Subsidy (CCS) — Information about Child Care Subsidy eligibility, payments, and applications.
Montessori Australia
Montessori Australia — Learn more about the Montessori philosophy and early years education.
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) — The framework that guides children’s learning and development in Victoria.
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V2.0 – Belonging, Being & Becoming
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) V2.0 – Belonging, Being & Becoming — Australia’s approved learning framework for children from birth to five years.
National Quality Framework (NQF)
Learn about Australia’s national system for regulating and improving the quality of early childhood education and care.
National Quality Standard (NQS)
Understand the seven quality areas that guide approved early learning services across Australia.
Have More Questions?
Choosing the right early learning centre is easier when you can experience it in person. We’d love to show you around Montessori Steps, answer your questions, and help you decide whether our Montessori approach is the right fit for your family.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Montessori Steps.