Children's House ages 3 to 6

Maria Montessori referred to the 3 to 6 year environment as Casa Di Bambini meaning Children’s House, a place where young children where they can freely engage in self-directed exploration and community participation in a prepared space. Children in this age group are in the period of self-construction, they are shaping their own identity and finding their place in the wider world, away from home. Our Children's House environments nurture a diverse, inclusive community where social connections flourish, friendships form naturally, and children learn from one another, building empathy and mutual respect.

During the first half of the three year cycle, children aged 3 to 4.5 years engage in hands-on, sensory experiences, collecting and sorting information as they explore the world around them. In the second half of this cycle from 4.5 to 6 years, children begin to build on these concrete experiences, shifting to more abstract learning and consolidating their knowledge. Throughout this journey, children are continually meeting key developmental outcomes in alignment with the Early Years Learning Framework and progressing toward the goals of the NSW Education Standards Authority syllabus.

Our Class Directors are Montessori certified and hold degrees in Early Childhood Education including the early years of Primary Education. The consistency of our deeply embedded Montessori pedagogy creates a structured environment that fosters a sense of security and well-being while supporting freedom and autonomy. Our educators take a holistic approach, dedicating time and thoughtful planning to support each child’s unique development and learning.

Our five-day schedule is designed to support your child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Consistent attendance provides each child with a sense of belonging and wellbeing and for this reason we emphasise the importance of full participation.

Children at this age learn best through hands-on experiences within their environment. Our prepared environments provide a rich variety of opportunities that nurture each child’s natural curiosity about the world. These experiences support the development of social skills, refine their senses, and encourage participation in movement. Children are immersed in enriched language opportunities, develop mathematical thinking, and explore concepts of culture and nature. Each aspect of learning is thoughtfully integrated through materials, activities, games, small group work, and interactions with nature. This approach allows children to follow their individual interests, building concentration, independence and critical thinking along the way.

The children begin their day at 8.30 am and conclude at 3:00 pm with options to book into our Outside of School Hours Care from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 

Our day begins with a morning workcycle, that is, a period of uninterrupted time where children choose their activities, indoors or out. They have the freedom to immerse themselves in purposeful activities without interruption. Throughout the morning the Class Director presents new activities based on observations of each child and educators engage children in small group activities, building on language development and social skills. During this time each child may take food breaks, engage in practical life activities that develop independence, promote movement and cultivate a deep state of focus and engagement that nourishes both the mind and soul. 

At lunchtime, the children in each class set up and enjoy meals brought from home, cultivating a sense of community as they share this daily routine. Afterward, they transition to outdoor play, where they engage in various activities such as obstacle courses, ball games, and sandpit exploration, encouraging movement and collaboration.

Following outdoor play, the children return to a calm and peaceful afternoon work cycle, allowing them to continue engaging in their activities of interest. Rest for the younger children may involve a nap on a floormat in a quiet corner of the room, listening to a story, engaging in yoga or breathing exercises outdoors.

Areas of the curriculum