STAGE 1 | The first plane of development


Programs & Hours of Operation
5 day program
Monday – Friday – 8.30am – 3.30pm
3 day program
Monday – Wednesday – 8.30am – 3.30pm
3 day program
Wednesday – Friday – 8.30am – 3.30pm
2 day program
Monday – Tuesday – 8am – 4pm
2 day program
Thursday – Friday – 8am – 4pm
Extended Hours Program at the Preschool Campus
8am – 8.30am
3.15pm – 4pm
Available Monday – Friday, charged at an additional fee.
Between the ages of two and a half and four and a half is when most of your child’s intelligence and social characteristics will be formed. This is also when your child is most receptive, curious, and excited about exploring the world around him or her. A Montessori classroom nurtures that excitement and curiosity by offering a variety of materials to stimulate and intrigue your child.
The Montessori Directress is trained to recognise when your child is ready to learn a new skill, and to foster his or her natural instincts and abilities. Your child is valued as an independent thinker and encouraged to make choices on his or her own. A Montessori education provides students of each age with information in a way they can understand and enjoy. Learning is fun, empowering, and custom-fit to suit your child’s individual learning style.
Learning
There are four main areas in our preschool program:
- Practical Life
- Sensorial
- Language
- Mathematics
We also place considerable emphasis on Creative Arts, Music, Science, Geography and Cultural Studies.
How is Montessori different to other preschools?
You will see the minute you walk into one of our classrooms.
- The materials used to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, science, music and social studies are all unique to the Montessori classroom.
- Classroom materials developed for our youngest students, for example, take abstract ideas and put them in a concrete form that makes sense to their developing minds.
- Your child will also share his or her Montessori classrooms with older and/or younger students. This way, students learn from their peers, and respect their own and each other’s ability to be a teacher as well as a student.
- Directresses observe their students, stepping in when they see a child is ‘stuck’ or ready to learn a new skill.
Kindergarten
Monday-Friday | 8.30am – 2.30pm
Learning within a Montessori environment follows a carefully planned, developmental sequence. Concepts and skills are first introduced in concrete, hands-on ways and are revisited over time as children grow, with increasing depth and complexity. This cyclical approach supports continuity, reinforces prior learning, and allows each child to build understanding at their own pace. In recognition of individual development, Kindergarten children may be part of a mixed-age classroom—either as their final year in Cycle 1 (3–6 years) or as their first year in Cycle 2 (6–9 years)—ensuring placement is responsive to each child’s readiness, strengths, and capabilities.
The Kindergarten year at Farmhouse Montessori School represents the beginning of children’s formal Primary education and is aligned with the NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) curriculum. This year provides an important opportunity for children to consolidate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions developed throughout their early years, bringing together their learning in a meaningful and connected way. Our Kindergarten program thoughtfully integrates Montessori principles and practices with the six Key Learning Areas (KLAs) outlined in the NSW Department of Education Syllabus.
Transitions
Transitions to the next 3-year learning environment are a unique feature of the Montessori environment. Farmhouse has a flexible transition policy in which the child’s readiness is closely monitored to determine the timing of their move into the next 3-year classroom. Readiness will be evident towards the end of the cycle when they start to demonstrate the physical, social and cognitive behaviours of the next 3-year phase of development.
The timing of transitions may happen throughout the year and are not restricted to the start of the school year. Transitions are not considered disruptive in Montessori, but rather beneficial as they don’t delay a child moving on when they are clearly ready. They are planned in consultation with children, teachers and parents and there is an emphasis on preparing and familiarising the children with their next environment to ensure a smooth move.
Join a school tour to experience the wonder of a Montessori education.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
Transitions
Browse online to learn more about what we have to offer and how we can help to prepare your child for the best possible future. Our Montessori certified schools provide a unique learning experience for both preschool and primary school aged children.
Join a school tour to experience the wonder of our Montessori curriculum in Sydney.
