Montessori education differs from traditional childcare in its core philosophy and approach to learning. Montessori emphasises child-led learning, independence, and a prepared environment where children explore at their own pace, while traditional childcare often follows a more structured, teacher-led curriculum.

Montessori education is built around the idea that children are naturally eager to learn and should be allowed to explore and discover at their own pace. Children are encouraged to choose their activities and work independently, fostering a love for learning and intrinsic motivation. Montessori classrooms are carefully designed to be stimulating and accessible, with specific materials for each area of learning. Montessori aims to develop self-confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.

An infant’s surroundings and the quality of care they receive play an essential role in their ability to achieve their milestones. A supportive environment tailored to their needs fosters exploration, confidence, and growth.

Developmental milestones are significant achievements that mark a child’s growth, such as learning to crawl, grasp objects, or recognise familiar faces. These milestones are categorised into four key areas:

1. Physical Development: Includes gross and fine motor skills like sitting up, crawling, and grasping objects.

2. Cognitive Development: Refers to a child’s ability to think, explore, and understand their surroundings.

3. Emotional Development: Involves forming secure attachments and beginning to express a range of emotions.

4. Social Development: Centres on interaction with others, from recognising caregivers to responding to social cues.

Montessori education is built on the philosophy that children learn best in an environment that encourages independence, exploration, and respect for their natural developmental stages. To enable our children to achieve their milestones we support our infants with:

1. Freedom of Movement: Allowing them to explore their environment at their own pace.

2. Observation Without Interference: Caregivers observe and guide rather than dictate or interrupt an infant’s activity.

3. Respect for the Child: Recognising that even the youngest children are capable individuals with unique needs.

4. Prepared Environment: Creating spaces that are safe, engaging, and suited to an infant’s developmental stage.

These principles ensure that every infant has the opportunity to develop their full potential in a nurturing and respectful environment.

Montessori education naturally lends itself to nature-based learning by emphasising hands-on experiences and a connection with the natural world. This is achieved by incorporating nature learning, sustainability projects, gardening, art projects using natural materials, and sensory exploration activities into the curriculum. The prepared environment also extends outdoors, allowing for exploration and discovery in an outdoor setting.

Our meals are diverse and provide both new taste experiences and familiar dishes and feature a variety of cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, Indian, and classic Australian dishes. Plus, we’re flexible – adjusting our menu based on children’s needs and preferences, making mealtimes a delicious social experience.

Studies show that proper nutrition has a direct impact on brain function. In fact, children who consume balanced meals rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins perform better both academically and socially. Foods with high nutritional value actually have the power to enhance memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities, which are essential for our early learners.

Meals at Brilliant Beginnings Childcare play an important role in your child’s day. By providing our children with wholesome meals, we set the foundation for a successful day. Mealtimes are also great opportunities for social interaction, fostering conversation and engagement as children eat together and with our educators!

Montessori programs cater to a wide age range, from infancy to adolescence, with different programs designed for specific developmental stages. Most Montessori schools offer programs for infants (birth to 18 months), toddlers (18 months to 3 years), early childhood (3 to 6 years), elementary (6 to 12 years), and secondary (12 to 18 years). 

At Brilliant Beginnings we cater for children from birth to six years of age.

• Infants: Birth to 18 months. 

• Toddlers: 18 months to 3 years. 

• Early Childhood 3 to 6 years.

Montessori early learning prepares children well for the transition to both Montessori and traditional schooling. Montessori education fosters independence, self-discipline, and a love of learning, which are valuable assets in any educational setting. While there might be an adjustment period, Montessori-educated children often excel in traditional classrooms due to their strong foundation in executive functioning skills, critical thinking, and adaptability. 

Our children will head to school with:

• Independence and Self-Direction as we encourage children to take ownership of their learning, fostering self-reliance and the ability to work independently, which are crucial for success in traditional schools. 

• Executive Functioning Skills as we cultivate skills like time management, organisation, and problem-solving.

• Social and Emotional Development as we promote collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution, equipping children with strong social skills for interacting with peers and teachers in a traditional setting.