First Day of Childcare Checklist

Essential Childcare Checklist for a Smooth Transition

Starting childcare is a big milestone for your child and you.
A little preparation can make the first day feel calm, organised and positive. Here’s a simple childcare checklist to help you feel confident and ready.

Before the First Day

In the days leading up to your child’s start date:

1. Confirm enrolment details

Start date and booked days
Drop-off and pick-up times
Room allocation (Nursery, Toddler or Preschool)
Centre contact details

2. Complete your paperwork early

Enrolment forms
Immunisation history statement
Emergency contacts
Authorised pick-up list
Medical management plans (if required)

Completing everything early helps educators support your child properly from day one.

3. What to Pack for Childcare (Clearly Labelled)

Packing doesn’t need to be complicated. Many children have similar belongings, so clearly labelling items helps educators return them quickly.
Most families bring:

Backpack (labelled)
2–3 changes of clothes (including socks and underwear)
A labelled water bottle
A wide-brim hat
Sunscreen (if your centre requests / if families prefer their own)
Nappies and wipes (if your centre requests them)
Nappy rash cream (with signed permission if required)
Bed linen
A comfort item (dummy, soft toy, blanket)

Even if your child is toilet trained, spare clothes are important, messy play and water activities are part of learning.

Extra items depending on age

For babies (0–2 years):

Bottles / formula (if needed)
Breastmilk (labelled, with instructions)
Bibs
Sleep sack (if required)

For toddlers/preschoolers:

Spare shoes (optional but helpful)
Training pants (if toilet training)

Quick First Day Checklist
Screenshot this before you go:

Paperwork completed
Immunisation statement provided
Medical plans submitted (if applicable)
Spare clothes packed
Hat and labelled water bottle packed
Comfort item included
Everything clearly labelled
Educators informed of routines and any additional needs

Being organised helps the morning run smoothly and helps you feel calm too.
If you have any questions about preparing for your child’s first day, our team is always happy to help.

Grand Community Open Day – Oatley

Join us as we celebrate the opening of our beautiful new St George Montessori Oatley Early Learning Centre!

Bring the whole family along for a fun-filled community day where you can explore our centre, meet our passionate educators, and experience the Montessori environment while enjoying a morning of exciting activities for children and families.

This is the perfect opportunity to tour the centre, ask questions about enrolments, and discover what makes Montessori education so special.

🎉 What's On:

Guided centre tours
Games and interactive activities
Animal farm
Face painting
Live musician
Balloon twisting with Spiderman
Spin-the-wheel prizes every 30 minutes
Delicious food, coffee and refreshments

Plus plenty more fun for the whole family!

🎁 Special Open Day Offer

Enrol on the day and enjoy 3 WEEKS FREE!*

*(Terms and conditions apply. See staff for more details.)

📅Event Details:

Date: Saturday 28th March 2026

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Where: 2 Mi Mi St, Oatley NSW 2233

Phone: 1300 999 500

✨ Free community event – everyone is welcome!

We look forward to welcoming you and your family.

Get Your Free Ticket

Preparing for School Readiness

A Guide to School Readiness

Starting primary school is a big milestone for both children and parents! Between the ages of 0 and 6, your child develops the foundational skills they’ll use every day in the classroom and beyond. At St George Montessori, we prepare children with the confidence, curiosity, and resilience for school readiness.

Here’s our guide to best prepare your child for school:

1. Build Independence Early

Encourage your child to do simple tasks on their own like putting on shoes, packing their bag, using the toilet, or tidying up after play. These everyday activities help them feel confident and capable when it's time to manage this in a school environment.

2. Establish Routines

Help your child establish regular routines. Start with consistent wake-up, meal, and bedtime habits. By practicing morning routines similar to a school day this will help make the transition much smoother.

3. Develop Social Skills

Enrolling your child into a Kindergarten program will allow them to learn in a group environment and establish key skills such as sharing, turn-taking, problem-solving with peers, listening and following instructions.

4. Encourage Language and Communication

Reading together daily boosts vocabulary, listening skills, and their imagination. Ask open-ended questions like “What do you think happens next?” or “How did that make you feel?” These conversations build strong language foundations.

5. Practice Fine Motor Skills

Activities like drawing or playing with playdough strengthens small muscles in the hand, which are essential for writing and other self-care tasks like buttoning clothes or opening lunch box containers.

6. Support Early Literacy and Numeracy

Introduce letters, numbers, shapes, and colours through play. For instance you can count blocks while building, sing the alphabet song, or spot shapes in nature. Keep it fun and pressure-free as children learn best when they’re engaged and enjoying themselves.

7. Foster a Love of Learning

Curiosity is one of the most important traits for school readiness. Encourage your child to ask questions, explore new ideas, and try new things. Celebrate their effort over perfection to help them build a growth mindset.

8. Build Emotional Readiness

Help your child recognise, name and express their emotions. Practice ways to calm down, like deep breathing or taking a break. Being emotionally ready means they can cope better with the new experiences, challenges, and friendships that school brings.

9. Visit the School Together

Attend orientation sessions as familiarity with the new school environment can ease anxiety and make the first day feel more exciting than overwhelming.

10. Partner with Educators

St George Montessori is here to support you. Talk with our educators about your child’s strengths and areas to grow. Together, we can tailor learning experiences that nurture your child's school readiness.

Every child develops at their own pace. The goal isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. By focusing on these areas early on, you’ll give your child the best possible start to their school journey.

For more resources or to chat with our educators about your child’s development, feel free to reach out anytime!

Set your child up for success at St George Montessori and enrol now!

3 Days of Child Care Guaranteed!

At St George Montessori we're thrilled to share some news that will make high-quality early childhood education and care more accessible for families in our community. From January 2026, the Australian Government is introducing significant changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Activity Test.

How Will Your Family Benefit?

This new initiative ensures that every child can access more subsidised care, regardless of their parents' activity levels. The changes are designed to provide significant cost-of-living relief and ensure every child gets the best possible start in life.

Guaranteed Subsidised Care: From January 2026, all families will qualify for at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care per fortnight — that's three days per week!
More Access: Families who meet activity requirements or hold valid exemptions can still access up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
Support for First Nations Children: Families caring for a First Nations child will also receive 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, ensuring equitable support for all.

For more detailed information about the CCS changes and how they might apply to your specific circumstances, we encourage you to visit the Services Australia website.

Experience St George Montessori's Educational Approach

At St George Montessori, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to nurturing every child’s potential within a supportive and inspiring environment. Our classrooms are dynamic spaces where learning happens anywhere, anytime, sparking lifelong curiosity. Our educational approach is built on:

A holistic educational approach: We combine the Montessori Curriculum with the Early Years Learning Framework 2.0 (EYLF) and National Quality Standards.
Enriching Incursions and School Readiness: We offer engaging incursions based on children's interests including Happy Feet, Soccer Joeys, Melody Mamas, Munch and Move, and a School Readiness program.
Commitment to Child Safety: Our priority is a secure environment, upheld through robust child protection policies and stringent safety protocols.
Child-Led Learning: We empower children to be the architects of their own learning, fostering unique developmental paths.
Health & Nutrition: Children receive five nutritious meals made fresh daily, promoting healthy habits with fresh, local produce.
EYLF 2.0 Framework: Our programs focus on Identity, Connections, Wellbeing, Confidence, and Communication.
Embedded Sustainability: We promote a love for the planet through a sustainability plan including eco-friendly playgrounds, gardens, and compost programs.
Sparking Imagination: Our services include purposefully designed indoor and outdoor spaces to encourage imaginative discovery.

To find out how much your family might pay for early childhood education and care, use the Child Care Subsidy Calculator here.

Secure your spot now!

We're incredibly excited about the opportunity to welcome even more families into our growing St George Montessori community. Whether you're an existing family looking to increase your days of care or a new family looking for child care, book a tour and enrol your child now!

Supporting Our Educators and Strengthening Your Child’s Care

At St George Montessori, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care and education for your child. That means not only nurturing their development every day, but also supporting the amazing educators who make it all possible. Thanks to the Australian Government Worker Retention Payment initiative, our educators will receive a 15% above-award wage increase, rolled out in two stages - 10% from December 2024, and a further 5% in December 2025.

Here’s why this matters to you and your child:

👩‍🏫 1. Consistency Matters: Familiar Faces for Your Child

Young children thrive when they have strong, trusting relationships with their educators. Better wages help reduce staff turnover, meaning your child sees the same familiar, caring faces every day.

💼 2. Attracting the Best Talent

Early childhood education is a rewarding career and this wage increase helps make early education a more attractive and sustainable career, allowing us to recruit and retain passionate, qualified educators who love what they do.

💛 3. Professional Recognition for Educators

This initiative helps recognise the profession across the sector and the care, dedication and expertise that our educators provide.

💰 4. No Extra Cost for Families

You might be wondering—will fees go up because of this? The answer is: No.
To qualify for this funding, early learning services must limit fee increases, ensuring the wage rise doesn’t get passed on to families.

🌱 5. A Stronger Sector for Everyone

Ultimately, this investment strengthens the whole early learning sector. When educators feel valued and supported, children learn and grow in richer, more stable environments—and families can feel confident they’re receiving the highest quality care.

At St George Montessori, we believe when our educators thrive, so do our children. We’re proud to be part of this important step forward and are committed to continuing to provide your family with the very best care and early education.

Thank you for being part of our St George Montessori community.

What is Montessori?

Discover the Montessori Difference at St George Montessori 

As parents, we all want to provide our children with the best possible start in life to foster a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. But with so many educational approaches available, how do you choose the right fit? At St George Montessori Early Learning Centres, we believe in the unique power of the Montessori method – a world renowned educational approach proven to unlock a child's inherent potential.

What is Montessori?

Montessori education is not just a teaching method; it's a philosophy based on the discoveries and insights of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Dr. Montessori's method is deeply rooted in child-centered learning, where children are encouraged to learn through exploration, hands-on activities, and self-directed experiences in a carefully prepared environment.

Learning Environments Designed for Discovery

At St George Montessori, we seamlessly integrate the Montessori philosophy into every aspect of our program with thoughtfully designed learning environments where children are encouraged to explore and engage in self-directed activities. We use exclusively designed Montessori materials and resources across all our Services to attract children and stimulate their natural drive to learn through engaging, hands-on activities. The classroom is divided into distinct, engaging learning areas, that cater to various developmental needs:

Practical Life: Mastering everyday skills like pouring, cleaning and caring for plans to build motor skills, focus and self-discipline skills.

Sensorial: Refining their senses through specially designed materials.

Language and Literacy: Building foundational reading and writing skills.

Mathematics: Developing a concrete understanding of numbers and abstract to concrete concepts.

Arts and Culture: Unleashing creativity to build cultural awareness and a deep appreciation for the arts and wider world.

Our dedicated teachers are not just instructors; they are guides, observing each child's interests and gently directing their choices while promoting respect, responsibility, and a strong sense of community within the classroom.

The Benefits of a Montessori Education

Montessori education nurtures self-confidence, equipping children with belief in their own abilities. It cultivates strong problem-solving skills, encouraging children to think critically and creatively. Children are empowered to progress at their own pace, exploring concepts when they are ready. This individualised learning approach significantly enhances their emotional, cognitive, and social development skills, fostering a well-rounded, independent and resilient individual.

Our Montessori Program

At St George Montessori, our curriculum is carefully designed to cater to the unique developmental stages of children, all within the framework of the Early Years Learning Framework 2.0:

Infant Program (ages 0-2): A nurturing and stimulating environment where our youngest learners can explore their world safely and independently according to their own natural growth pattern.

Preschool Program (ages 3-4): Multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting Montessori materials and activities designed to cultivate curiosity and build foundational skills to prepare them for future learning.

Kindergarten Program (ages 4-6): A program rich with different experiences to foster independence and prepare children for school readiness to help make their transition to school smooth and positive.

Experience the St George Montessori Difference

Ready to see how our unique approach can foster your child's natural curiosity, confidence and ignite a lifelong love for learning? Don't just imagine their potential – help them achieve it!

Book a tour at one of our Services today and see the Montessori difference for yourself.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY DAYS 2025

Join us for a fun-filled Community Day at St George Montessori – a day of exciting activities, family fun, and connection with our wonderful local community!

It’s the perfect opportunity to tour our centre, meet our passionate educators, discover our curriculum, and enjoy a free day out with the whole family.

🎉 What’s On:

Guided centre tours – book your preferred time
Games and interactive activities
Animal farm
Face painting
Live musician
Balloon twisting with Spiderman
Delicious food, coffee, and refreshments

📅 Event Details:

St George Montessori Peakhurst & Peakhurst South
📍 26B-28 Clarke St, Peakhurst
🗓 Saturday 13th September 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
👉 Register now to save your spot – one ticket covers the whole family!

St George Montessori Kingsgrove
📍 2 Beaumont St, Kingsgrove
🗓 Saturday 20th September 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
👉 Register now to save your spot – one ticket covers the whole family!

St George Montessori Chipping Norton
📍 12 Balanada Avenue, Chipping Norton
🗓 Saturday 18th October 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
👉 Register now to save your spot – one ticket covers the whole family!

St George Montessori Engadine
📍 252 Woronora Rd, Engadine
🗓 Saturday 25th October 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
👉 Register now to save your spot – one ticket covers the whole family!

St George Montessori is Officially Certified by Great Place to Work®!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that St George Montessori has been officially certified by Great Place To Work®!

This prestigious award isn't just a fancy title; it's a powerful testament to our positive and supportive environment that we've cultivated for our dedicated educators and staff. What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it's based entirely on what our current employees say about their experience working at St George Montessori. This year, 90% of our employees said it's a great place to work – that's 30% higher than the average Australian company! Why is this great news for your family?

A happy, supported, and motivated team of educators translates directly into an even better learning environment for your child. When our educators feel valued, respected, and have opportunities for growth, they bring their best selves to the classroom every single day, creating a domino effect of positive energy, creativity, and dedication that directly benefits your child's learning journey. Great Place To Work® research highlights some incredible benefits of Certified workplaces:

Exceptional Leadership: Job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. This means your child's educators are guided by strong, supportive leaders who foster a positive culture.
Passion for Their Work: Employees are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work. Meaning educators are genuinely excited to be with your children, ready to inspire and engage!
Fairness and Opportunity: Certified employees are twice as likely to be paid fairly and have a fair chance at promotion. This means we attract and retain top talent in early childhood education, ensuring consistency and quality for your family.

Our Commitment to Our Educators
St George Montessori is part of the SEEN Education family, and this certification truly reflects our dedication to reshaping early childhood education by creating an environment where our team thrives. We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to ensure our educators feel valued, supported, and have every opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

We believe in offering the RIGHT benefits, including:

Recognising the importance of personal wellness needs - We support our team's mental and physical health with tangible benefits like self-care days, birthday leave, two days of cultural leave, confidential counseling sessions, fun bi-monthly team-building activities, and weekly 'Feel Good Friday' morning teas or afternoon lunches.
Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion: We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against bullying, discrimination and harassment. We embrace a diverse and inclusive team to enrich the learning experience for all children.
Growing Your Career and Money: We invest in our educators' professional development through annual leadership conferences, performance-based bonuses, pay raises, and referral programs. We also provide specialized Montessori curriculum training, Early Childhood Australia certifications, and financial support to pursue a bachelor's degree in early education. This commitment to growth ensures your child is learning from highly skilled and continuously developing professionals.
Helping Support Family Education: We extend our commitment to education to our educators' own families.
Transforming Financial Literacy and Independence: We're dedicated to helping employees, especially women, achieve financial independence with a superannuation benefit that matches 100% of every salary sacrifice contribution, boosting retirement savings and reducing tax burdens.

The St George Montessori Difference
This Great Place To Work® certification is more than an award; it's a promise to our families that:

Your child is learning from happy, engaged, and well-supported educators.
Our team is dedicated to continuous improvement and excellence in early childhood education.
You can have even greater confidence in the quality of care and education your child receives at St George Montessori.

We're incredibly proud of our team and this remarkable achievement. It truly highlights our shared commitment to creating an exceptional environment for both our employees and, most importantly, for your children.

Thank you for being a part of the St George Montessori family!

Karate is Coming!

Karate Academy Sydney is Bringing the Amazing Little Ninjas Program to Our Kingsgrove, Peakhurst, and Chipping Norton Services – and It’s FREE for Existing Families!

We believe in nurturing the potential of young children through the empowering art of
karate. Offering a fun, safe, and engaging introduction to martial arts, the program
focuses on developing essential life skills like discipline, focus, and self-confidence,
while also enhancing motor skills, coordination, and balance.

What Your Child Will Gain:
• Enhanced Motor Skills: Improved coordination, balance, body awareness and
agility.
• Discipline and Focus: Learning to follow instructions and respect others.
• Confidence Building: Gaining a sense of accomplishment and self-belief.
• Social Skills and Respect: Learn teamwork, cooperation, empathy and respect for
their instructors and peers.
• Emotional Regulation: Learn controlled movements and breathing exercises to
manage emotions effectively.
• Safety Awareness: Experienced instructors who incorporate basic self-defence
techniques.

💥 FREE for Existing Families! 💥
New families are welcome to enrol—spots are limited, so secure your child's place today!

📍Chipping Norton: Call 9602 9117
Email us at info@chippingnortonmontessori.com.au
Located at 12 Balanada Ave, Chipping Norton

📍Kingsgrove: Call 9150 4152
Email us at kingsgrove@stgeorgemontessori.com.au
Located at 2 Beaumont St, Kingsgrove

📍Peakhurst: Call 9533 9990
Email us at peakhurst@stgeorgemontessori.com.au
Located at 26B Clarke St , Peakhurst