Gungahlin Childcare, Daycare & Preschool
Gungahlin Centre
Weekdays 7:30am to 6pm
Suite One, Level One, Gungahlin Marketplace, 2912/33 Hibberson St Gungahlin ACT 2912
Gungahlin Childcare Centre
Premium Montessori childcare in Gungahlin for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years with meals, nappies, and the ACT Preschool Funding all included.
Conveniently located above BIG W within Marketplace Gungahlin, Gungahlin Montessori Academy combines the convenience of a central town-centre location with the benefits of a large, recently renovated rooftop outdoor play space. Designed to inspire active play, exploration, and discovery, this unique outdoor environment provides children with ample room to move, learn, and thrive. The centre is easily accessible for families across Gungahlin, Ngunnawal, Amaroo, Nicholls, Harrison, Franklin, and the wider north Canberra region.
For children aged six weeks to six years, our calm, future-focused Montessori program builds strong academic foundations, independence, confidence, and genuine school readiness through hands-on learning tailored to every stage of development.



- Fully Catered
- Montessori Educators
- CCS Approved
- Ages 0 to 6 years
Take a Look Inside Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre
Explore our Gungahlin childcare centre through a virtual tour of our purpose-built Montessori classrooms, secure outdoor playgrounds, and carefully prepared learning environments.
Book a Tour
Tour Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre
The best way to know if our Gungahlin childcare centre is right for your family is to experience it in person. Meet our educators, explore the classrooms, and ask every question on your mind. Please bring your child along, we look forward to meeting you.
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I believe in celebrating each child's unique background, culture, language, and abilities while empowering them to make choices, develop independence, and take ownership of their learning.
Leisa is a proud Canberra local, mum, and experienced early childhood leader with more than 30 years of experience in education. Passionate about Montessori philosophy, she is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment where every child and family feels valued, supported, and connected.
Her leadership is centred on building a positive team culture and strong relationships with children, families, and educators. Leisa believes children are competent, capable learners and is committed to promoting children’s agency by encouraging them to make choices, develop independence, and actively participate in their own learning journey. She celebrates each child’s unique background, culture, language, and abilities, ensuring every child feels respected, included, and empowered to thrive.
Together with her team, Leisa is committed to providing a calm, supportive, and future-focused Montessori environment where children are encouraged to think independently, explore their interests, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for school and life.
- 30+ Years Early Childhood Experience
- Montessori Trained
- Dedicated to Child Safety & Wellbeing
- First Aid, Anaphylaxis & Child Protection
- Community Focused Leadership
- Strong Family Partnerships
Inside our Gungahlin childcare and preschool
View Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre Facilities
Gungahlin Montessori Academy is conveniently located within Marketplace Gungahlin above BIG W, in the heart of Gungahlin Town Centre. Families love our experienced team, authentic Montessori classrooms, and recently renovated rooftop outdoor playground, featuring expansive open-air play spaces, climbing equipment, gardens, and areas for active exploration, creativity, and discovery. Designed to provide the best of both worlds, children enjoy a unique outdoor environment while benefiting from the convenience of a central town centre location.
















Rated 5 Stars By Our Gungahlin Families
Gungahlin early childhood education programs
Gungahlin Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Gungahlin childcare centre is thoughtfully designed for a specific stage of development, combining our authentic Montessori curriculum with the Early Years Learning Framework. Through carefully prepared environments, hands-on Montessori materials, and purposeful learning experiences, children build confidence, independence, and the essential skills needed for school and life.
Our Infant Program (0–2 years) is thoughtfully structured across key developmental stages. Our educators support your child’s early development through strong relationships, movement, sensory exploration, language development, and early practical life skills within a calm, nurturing environment.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Toddlers are driven by a powerful urge to do things for themselves. Our Toddler program channels this energy through practical life activities, movement, language, sensorial and social skill-building, all within a prepared environment that says "yes" to hands-on exploration.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Our Preschool and School Readiness Program is where the Montessori method truly shines. Children work independently with manipulative materials across five curriculum areas, developing the focus, problem-solving, and a natural passion for learning that sets them apart when they transition to primary school.
KEY DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
Gungahlin Childcare Fees and Inclusions
We offer a 10.5-hour childcare day from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, with fees charged at a full daily rate. Eligible families may significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs through the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Every daily fee includes all meals, snacks, nappies, sunscreen, and Montessori materials, so you’ll never receive a surprise invoice for extras.
Fees
Daily fees at Gungahlin. CCS can reduce your out-of-pocket cost by up to 85.5%.
Daily fees shown. Fees are subject to change.
CCS Childcare Subsidy Calculator Estimator
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost at Gungahlin after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Gungahlin Montessori Academy
Families choose Gungahlin Montessori Academy because they can feel the difference. Warm, genuinely engaged educators, calm and structured learning environments, and children who are deeply engaged and thriving.
- Engaged Educators
- Happy Children
- Calm Structured Classrooms
- Visible Learning Progress
- Strong Communication
- Holistic School Readiness
A Day at our Gungahlin childcare centre
What Your Child's Day Looks Like at Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre
Every day at our Gungahlin childcare centre follows a calm, predictable rhythm that helps children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. Routines vary by age group, season, and individual needs.
Arrival & Welcome
Children arrive and settle into the prepared environment. Educators greet every child and family warmly, supporting a smooth, confident transition into the day.
Montessori Work Cycle
During the Montessori work cycle children choose their work and build focus, independence and capability through the Montessori materials. Progressive morning tea is served.
Outdoor Play
Following the work cycle, children transition outdoors to climb, run, explore nature, play, and develop fundamental movement skills through active, child-led play.
Group Time & Lunch
Children come together for guided group experiences that build communication, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Lunch follows and older children set the table and serve themselves.
Rest & Quiet Activities
After lunch, younger children sleep while quiet activities and school readiness experiences are offered for older children. Individual rhythms and rest needs are always respected.
Afternoon & Pick-Up
Communal afternoon tea happens after rest time, followed by outdoor play. Late snack is served at 5:00pm with indoor activities. Educators share the day's highlights at pick-up.
Child Safety at Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre is Our First Priority
Gungahlin Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Gungahlin childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
Find Our Gungahlin Childcare Centre
Conveniently located within Marketplace Gungahlin above BIG W, Gungahlin Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool proudly supports families across Gungahlin, Ngunnawal, Amaroo, Nicholls, Franklin, Harrison, Palmerston, Casey, Forde, Moncrieff, and the wider north Canberra community. Positioned in the heart of Gungahlin Town Centre, our centre offers premium Montessori early education with easy access for busy local families.
Suite One, Level One, Gungahlin Marketplace 33 Hibberson St 2912
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Conveniently located within Marketplace Gungahlin, the centre is just moments from the Gungahlin Town Centre bus interchange, with frequent services connecting Gungahlin, Amaroo, Ngunnawal, Franklin, Harrison, Belconnen, and Canberra City.
Light Rail: Gungahlin Place Light Rail Stop is a short walk from the centre, offering direct connections between Gungahlin Town Centre and Canberra CBD, making Montessori Academy an ideal choice for families commuting across north Canberra.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Gungahlin Montessori Academy? +
Our daily fee is designed to make busy family life easier. It includes your child's Montessori education program, nutritious meals and snacks, nappies and wipes, and other essential daily care items, so you can feel confident that your child has what they need throughout the day.
Your child is part of a thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment where every part of the day is designed to support independence, concentration, confidence, and development.
How is Montessori different to play-based childcare? +
Montessori is a structured, hands-on approach to early learning where children learn through purposeful activity, repetition, and real understanding. Using scientifically designed materials in carefully prepared environments, children choose their own work, follow their own interests, and build independence, concentration, coordination, and academic foundations at their own pace.
The result is children who become capable, confident learners through meaningful experiences in practical life, language, mathematics, sensorial learning, culture, and social development.
Our focus isn't on entertaining children. It's on activating their natural desire to learn.
Can I book a tour before joining the waitlist or enrolling? +
Absolutely. We encourage every family to visit the centre before making a decision.
A tour is one of the best ways to understand the difference Montessori can make. It gives you the opportunity to explore our classrooms, meet our team, see how children learn in a calm and engaging environment, and ask the questions that matter most to your family. If your child is coming on the tour too, we warmly encourage it as it helps you picture their experience more clearly.
Does Gungahlin Montessori Academy help prepare children for school? +
Yes. School readiness starts from infancy and is built every day through the skills children develop in the Montessori environment.
At Gungahlin Montessori Academy, children build the foundations for school and life through hands-on learning that supports early literacy, numeracy, concentration, independence, social skills, confidence, and responsibility. Rather than being treated as a short-term preschool add-on, school readiness is embedded throughout your child's entire learning journey.
Can I join the waitlist before my baby is born? +
Yes. Many families begin their childcare search while they are still expecting, especially in high-demand communities like Gungahlin and across north Canberra.
Joining the waitlist early can help you plan ahead and gives you the best chance of securing your preferred start date and care pattern. Our Family Care Team will guide you through every step, from what we need now to what can be updated once your baby arrives.
How do you help babies and new children settle into care? +
We know that starting childcare is a big transition for both children and parents. Our approach is warm, responsive, and individual to each child.
For infants and younger children especially, we work closely with families to understand home routines, comfort needs, sleep patterns, feeding preferences, and temperament. Our goal is to build trust first, because children thrive when they feel safe, known, and secure.
How will I know what my child is doing each day? +
Strong communication with families is at the heart of the Gungahlin Montessori Academy experience.
From morning and afternoon handover to daily updates via our parent app, monthly learning observations, and developmental milestone reports, we make sure you are always close to your child's world.
What should I look for when comparing childcare centres in Gungahlin? +
When comparing childcare centres in Gungahlin, look beyond surface features and ask what your child will truly gain from the experience.
Consider what is included in the daily fee, how the program prepares children for school, how educators support each child's individual development, and whether the environment feels calm, safe, and purposeful.
At Gungahlin Montessori Academy, families value our authentic Montessori classrooms, experienced team, and recently renovated rooftop outdoor play space that gives children meaningful opportunities to move, explore, discover, and build confidence in the heart of Gungahlin Town Centre.
Looking for exceptional childcare near Gungahlin, Ngunnawal, Amaroo, Nicholls, Franklin, Harrison, Palmerston, Casey, Forde, Moncrieff, and the wider north Canberra region?
Find the perfect Montessori childcare centre near you and give your child the best start.
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Join a thriving community of Canberra families who trust Montessori Academy as their early education partner, backed by more than 25 years of experience, over 100 years of proven Montessori education, and the trust of more than 100,000 Australian families.