Frequently Asked Questions

At Pandani Montessori Early Learning, we are proud to have a leadership team made up of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in the early education sector. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to creating the best outcomes for children and families.

Our team is united by the belief that children are at the heart of everything we do, and that a holistic approach to education empowers them to thrive and reach their full potential. As a 100% family-owned centre, we value genuine relationships and a community spirit. 

Together, our leadership team is committed to fostering a nurturing, inspiring, and inclusive environment where children, families, and educators feel supported and valued.

While we are finalising our building works and awaiting Service Approval, we are currently welcoming Expressions of Interest from families who would like to join our community.

As we are a boutique centre with a limited number of places available, we encourage families to apply early to secure the best chance of a position.

If a place becomes available for your child, we will invite you to complete a pre-enrolment form so your family is ready to begin your journey with us from early 2026.

Please click here to complete the Expressions of Interest form..

Yes, we will be hosting orientation events prior to the opening of our centre. These sessions are designed to help children and families become familiar with our educators, the learning environment, and their new friends, making the transition into care as smooth and comfortable as possible.

To protect the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that phones and devices capable of taking photos or videos are not used during these events.

In line with our preschool ethos and strong focus on school readiness, we currently welcome children aged 3 to 5 years. Our program reflects this ethos by nurturing and supporting children in these important early years, helping them build confidence, independence, and a love of learning as they prepare for school.. 

We'd love to hear from you! You can call us any time on 0400 123 703 or email enrol@pandanimontessori.com.au

For your child to be truly immersed in the opportunities Pandani Montessori Early Learning has to offer, they will need to be fully toilet trained before starting.  This allows our educators to focus on supporting each child’s learning and development throughout the preschool program, while also fostering independence and confidence in every child.

• Toilet training: when and how to do it | Raising Children Network
  
  
• Toilet training:  tips and suggestions | healthdirect  

Our centre is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday, providing families with a full day of care and learning opportunities.

We take a short break, closing for one week between Christmas and New Year, as well as on Public Holiday's.

You're welcome to drop your child off at Pandani Montessori anytime from 7:00 am onwards. Children will need to be collected by 6:00 pm, when the centre closes for the day.  

We understand that sometimes arrangements change, and someone else may need to pick up your child. On your child’s enrolment form, you have the option to provide at least one emergency contact, which we encourage you to complete.

If an alternative person will be collecting your child, please inform our educators in the morning, send us an email with their details, or give us a quick phone call before their arrival. This allows us to prepare your child for the change in routine.

For the safety of all children, if the person collecting your child is unfamiliar to us, we will ask to see photo identification and confirm that their details match the information you have provided on the enrolment form, in your email, or via phone.

This ensures a smooth, safe, and reassuring experience for your child.

Yes! Families are the most important and influential part of a child’s world, and we deeply value the role you play in their learning and development. We warmly welcome you and other family members to spend time at the centre.

You may wish to share a special interest, skill, or passion with the children, such as reading stories, playing an instrument, gardening, painting, or supporting their play and investigations. We celebrate these contributions, as they enrich our program and strengthen connections between home and the centre.

To ensure everyone’s safety, family members who wish to volunteer regularly will need to provide the required approval to work with vulnerable people. We’re happy to guide you through this process if needed.

If you’d like to be involved, please come and chat with us, we’d love to hear your ideas!

Each day, we ask that you pack:

• A water bottle

• A hat for sun protection

• Several full changes of clothes for little accidents or messy play

• A sheet and small blanket (during cooler weather) for rest time

Please make sure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This not only helps us return belongings to the right place but also supports your child in learning responsibility and independence in caring for their own things.

At Pandani Montessori, we are open from 7:00am to 6:00pm, providing families with the flexibility to choose drop-off and pick-up times that best suit their routine. While we do not offer discounted fees for shorter days, you are welcome to use the hours that work best for your child and family.

Yes, we offer a simple breakfast for children who arrive early in the morning. An assortment of cereals and toast is available to help them start the day with energy and comfort.

Yes. The Australian Government offers financial assistance with daily childcare fees through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

To apply, please log in to your MyGov account and follow the steps provided. As part of the process, you’ll be asked questions about your family’s circumstances, such as income, hours of care required, and other relevant details. Once your application has been assessed, you can use the CCS calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket (gap) fee.

If you would like any guidance with this process, our team will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Fees are deducted fortnightly in advance from the bank account you nominate during enrolment.

At Pandani Montessori, we want you to feel confident knowing who is caring for your child each day. Photos of our dedicated team are displayed in the foyer, and as you enter your child’s room, you will also find photographs of the specific educators responsible for your child that day.

This helps families and children build familiarity and strengthen connections with our team.

Your child’s safety is our highest priority, and we have several measures in place to ensure a secure environment. The centre entrance includes a gated pen before reaching the main door, and each family is provided with a unique entry code, which must not be shared. Families are asked to use only their own code and to avoid letting others enter behind them.

To protect everyone’s privacy, families are also asked not to bring devices that can record photos or videos into the centre. In addition, each learning room has a closed door, and all outdoor gates remain secured at all times.

These measures help us maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for every child and family.

Your child's safety is our top priority. Every educator undergoes comprehensive safety and background checks, including all legally required certifications and prohibition checks. In addition to meeting legal standards, our educators complete ongoing professional training to maintain a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment. You can feel confident knowing your child is in trusted, capable hands.

If your child has asthma, anaphylaxis, or any long-term medical condition, a current and relevant action plan is required at all times while they are in care. Any necessary medication must also be provided and handed directly to a trained educator. This ensures we can respond appropriately and promptly to your child’s needs, keeping them safe and well supported throughout the day.

Yes, your child can attend if they have been on the medication for at least 24 hours. The medication must have a pharmacy label clearly stating your child’s name and the correct dosage. Please ensure you hand the medication directly to an educator so it can be stored safely and out of reach of children. A medication form will also need to be completed before you leave for the day.

While children are always closely supervised during play, we understand that minor accidents can sometimes happen. If your child is injured, an accident report will be completed, and you will be notified, either through our communication system, by phone, or in person, depending on the nature of the incident. In the case of a head injury or any serious accident, a parent or guardian will be contacted immediately.

At Pandani Montessori, we use an electronic communication system to keep you informed and connected. Each day, you’ll receive a daily journal outlining your child’s experiences, activities, and key learning opportunities. It’s a great way to stay engaged in your child’s early learning journey and celebrate their progress with us.

Yes. We understand that comfort items can help children feel safe and secure, especially in a new environment. If your child needs a comforter during rest time, we are happy to support this and will work closely with you to ensure their individual needs are met with care and sensitivity.

We kindly ask that toys from home stay at home. Our centre provides a wide range of engaging and age-appropriate resources tailored to each child’s interests and developmental needs. Personal toys can sometimes lead to distress if they are lost, damaged, or difficult to share with others. To help maintain a positive and inclusive environment, we encourage children to enjoy the materials and experiences provided at the centre.

We believe that strong partnerships between families and educators are key to a child’s success in the Montessori environment. Throughout the year, we offer supportive group discussions, family gatherings, and educational events to help you better understand and engage with the Montessori approach. Families are always welcome to speak with our educators at any time, and we encourage you to reflect on and incorporate some of the daily practices used at Pandani Montessori into your home life.

Maria's legacy started as an Italian physician and educator in Chiaravalle. Her science and medical background influenced her motivation to create an educational philosophy that incorporated a number of different resources and activities to promote inclusive education. She created many practices in education that are still active today including child size furniture. She is best known for the Montessori method, a child-centred educational approach. She passed away in the Netherlands in 1952.

The Montessori approach is a child-centred method of education that values independence, hands-on learning, and respect for each child’s natural development. Key principles include child-led exploration, the use of purposeful materials, and extended, uninterrupted work periods that allow deep focus and engagement.

Children learn through carefully prepared environments that nurture curiosity across key areas such as sensorial development, culture and botany, language, mathematics, and practical life skills. In this supportive and respectful setting, children experience a way of learning that fosters empathy, compassion, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

We are committed to supporting children and families during transitions, whether moving on to school or requiring care elsewhere. A minimum of 2 weeks’ written notice is required when ending care.

Please note that during the months of December and January, an 8 week notice period applies unless we are able to fill your child’s position sooner. This helps us manage enrolments effectively during our busiest time of year.