Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to be enrolled at birth? No, your child does not need to be enrolled at birth; however, entry point into our school is 26 months old. It is recommended that you start an enrolment process before your child turns 18 months old, as there are limited spaces available in our earlier programs. 

Is ISMS just a preschool? ISMS is a independent Montessori Primary school which caters for children from birth to 12 years old.

Do I need to submit an application? All programs require an enrolement applciation other than our Parent and Child Program which can be booked on our website.

If a place is not available, what happens next? Your child will be placed on a waiting list, and you will be contacted if a vacancy becomes available.

Can I delay my start date? If the offer of enrolment is not accepted within the designated timeframe, the offer lapeses and your child will return to the waitlist. Application fees are non-refundable.

If I already have a child enrolled at the school and want to enrol their sibling, does the sibling require an interview? Yes, all children applying for a place at ISMS are required to be interviewed as part of the enrolement process.

Will my child receive homework? Unlike traditional schools, Montessori schools typically don't assign traditional homework, believing that children benefit from unstructured time to play, engage in family activities, and pursue their interests. The Montessori classroom is designed to maximise learning during school hours, allowing students to have more family time and freedom once the school day is over. In a Montessori approach, homework is generally minimal and focuses on self-directed learning and family engagement rather than traditional assignments.

Does my child need to wear a school uniform? No, however students must abide by the sun smart policy, which provides guidelines around clothing.

What is the Child Care Subsidy? The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government payment, for those parents paying session fees for children attending the Infant Community and Children's House 3-5 year-old, the school receives the CCS subsidy from the Department of Human Services and then allocates the subsidy to the parent/s account. Any Centrelink rebates available to eligible families will be credited to the family account and the gap balance amount is payable. All enquiries about families’ eligibility should be directed to Centrelink.