Located in between the ocean and the escarpment in the beautiful region of the Illawarra, Balgownie Centre is proud to offer exceptional care and education to the community between the ages of 18months-5 years. We have two rooms, one for children aged 18months-3 and the other from 3 to 5 years of age with a maximum of 34 children per day.

We believe, and research indicates, that the first six years of a child’s life are the most important for learning. It’s where children absorb, develop and explore and it’s where attitudes and patterns of learning are formed that last a lifetime. No other education captures the passion and sheer joy for learning the way a Montessori education does. Give your child the best start in life!

Balgownie Centre’s educators provide prepared environments and experiences that take advantage of both the outdoor and indoor spaces which provides opportunities for problem solving, creative exploration, heritage and cultural experiences, fun and social interactions where children explore, discover and connect to the land. 

Our environment includes native plants, trees, edible gardens, sand, rocks, mud, water and other elements from nature that provide rich opportunities for educators and children to play, learn and, delight in world around us. 

The Montessori apparatus adds an interactive opportunity for learning. Experiences are planned for each individual child and presented by the trained educators, this promotes a love of learning for language, social, literacy and numeracy in a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate setting. Educators spend time to model and explicitly teach children and provide strategies to support children’s interaction and establish strong relationships. The balance we offer between free play and the Montessori program works extremely well both working towards the Early years Learning Framework curriculum.

We welcome children from all backgrounds and nationalities.