Crows Nest Childcare Centre
Premium Montessori childcare in Crows Nest for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, with meals, education programs, and NSW Start Strong funding all included.
Conveniently located above Coles on Willoughby Road in the heart of Crows Nest, our Montessori early learning centre offers premium childcare and preschool for families across Sydney’s Lower North Shore, including St Leonards, Cammeray, Neutral Bay, Wollstonecraft, and North Sydney.
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 Crows Nest Childcare Centre
Explore our Crows Nest 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 Crows Nest Childcare Centre
The best way to know if our Crows Nest 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.
Please wait while we confirm your tour.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family. You'll receive a confirmation email shortly.
Taking you to your confirmation page…
Every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore their unique potential.
Mariam brings more than 10 years of experience in early childhood education and holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years). Passionate about the Montessori philosophy, she is committed to creating warm, inclusive, and engaging learning environments where children develop confidence, independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful hands-on experiences.
Her approach centres on building authentic partnerships with children, families, and educators to create a connected and welcoming community. Having previously worked as an Educational Leader, Mariam is passionate about mentoring educators and fostering a collaborative team culture where everyone feels supported to grow professionally. At Crows Nest Montessori Academy, she is dedicated to celebrating diversity, strengthening family connections, and providing every child with the confidence, resilience, and strong foundations they need for school and life.
- Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years)
- 10+ Years Early Childhood Experience
- Educational Leader & Team Mentor
- Montessori Education Specialist
- Community-Focused Leadership
- Family Partnerships & Cultural Inclusion
Inside our Crowst Nest childcare and preschool
View Our Crows Nest Childcare Centre Facilities
Crows Nest Montessori Academy is conveniently located above Coles on Willoughby Road, close to St Leonards Station, the new Crows Nest Metro Station, North Sydney, and the Royal North Shore Hospital. Families value our experienced educators, authentic Montessori classrooms, and engaging indoor and outdoor learning environments designed to foster independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Rated 5 Stars By Our Crows Nest Families
Crows Nest education programs
Crows Nest Early Learning Programs Designed for Your Child's Exact Stage
Each Montessori education program at our Crows Nest 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
Crows Nest 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, sunscreen, and Montessori materials, so you’ll never receive a surprise invoice for extras.
Fees
Daily fees at Crows Nest. 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 Crows Nest after the Child Care Subsidy.
Why Families Choose Crows Nest Montessori Academy
Families choose Crows Nest 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 Crows Nest childcare centre
What Your Child's Day Looks Like at Our Crows Nest Childcare Centre
Every day at our Crows Nest 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 Crows Nest Childcare Centre is Our First Priority
Crows Nest Montessori Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. Every policy, procedure, and physical environment at our Crows Nest childcare centre is designed to ensure children are protected, respected, and empowered.
Find Our Crow Nest Childcare Centre
Conveniently located in the heart of Crows Nest on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Crows Nest Montessori Academy Childcare & Preschool proudly welcomes families from Crows Nest, St Leonards, North Sydney, Cammeray, Neutral Bay, Wollstonecraft, Naremburn, Waverton, and surrounding Lower North Shore communities.
111 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065, Australia
Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Open 51 weeks per year
Dedicated parent parking available on-site
Bus: Multiple bus services operate along Willoughby Road and the Pacific Highway, providing convenient connections throughout the Lower North Shore and Sydney CBD. Metro: Sydney Metro City & Southwest (approximately a 5-minute walk), offering fast and convenient access to the Sydney CBD, Chatswood, and surrounding suburbs. Train: Sydney Trains (approximately a 10-minute walk), providing regular services on the North Shore Line for families commuting across Sydney.
Phone: 1300 000 162
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to feel confident before getting started.
What is included in the daily fee at Crows Nest 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, 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 Crows Nest 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 Crows Nest 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 areas like Crows Nest.
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 Crows Nest 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 Crows Nest? +
When comparing childcare centres, 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.
The right centre will not only care for your child, it will feel like a true early education partner, actively helping them grow into an independent, confident, and curious learner.
Looking for exceptional childcare near Crows Nest, St Leonards, North Sydney, Cammeray, Neutral Bay, Wollstonecraft, Naremburn, Waverton, and the wider Lower North Shore?
Find the perfect Montessori childcare centre near you and give your child the best start.
Join a thriving community of Crows Nest and Lower North Shore 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.