Discover our Award-Winning Junior School

3 & 4-YEAR OLD KINDER AT CAULFIELD

GUIDED BY CURIOSITY, Achieving Independence Through Exploration

Looking for a kinder near you that offers more than playtime? Melbourne Montessori College’s Cycle 1 program combines 3-year-old Kinder, 4-year-old Kinder and Prep in one multi-age classroom, giving children a gentle, supportive start to school life.

Our Caulfield campus is a calm, structured environment where children develop independence through hands-on, guided learning. They pour, measure, match, count, and read at their own pace, supported by qualified Montessori teachers. The multi-age setting means your child is inspired by older classmates, while also becoming a leader for younger ones over time.

Enrolments are now open for Term 1–4 places in 3YO and 4YO Kinder. Spots are limited, and demand is high for families in Caulfield, Elsternwick, Ripponlea and surrounding suburbs.

PREP – YEAR 3: BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION

Learning Gently in the Early Years

At MMC, Prep is part of Cycle 1, which also includes 3- and 4-year-old Kinder. This unique structure gives Prep students the chance to be role models in their class, supporting younger children while consolidating their own learning. Families love that the transition from Kinder to Prep is seamless with no need to adjust to a new environment, teacher, or classmates. Instead, your child builds confidence naturally as they step into greater responsibility within a familiar setting.

From there, children move into Cycle 2 (Years 1–3) and they are introduced to a new Montessori teacher, and then remain with that teacher for the full three years of the cycle. This provides stability and depth of understanding, as the teacher gets to know each child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style.  In Years 1–3, children extend their foundations in literacy and numeracy, while exploring science, geography, cultural studies, and the arts. The multi-age classroom fosters independence, resilience, and collaboration.

Parents searching for a primary school near Caulfield, Malvern, Glen Huntly, Carnegie, or Ormond value this balance of continuity and renewal, delivered in a nurturing, boutique environment with small classes and individualised learning.

years 4 – 6 at Brighton

preparing for life

In Cycle 3 (Years 4–6), children move to our Brighton campus. Students stay with the same teacher for three years, ensuring stability, while the peer group evolves as younger children move up and older ones transition to Senior School. This creates a classroom culture where leadership, collaboration, and mentoring flourish.

Specialist subjects also deepen in Cycle 3. French, introduced in Cycle 2, expands, and Physical Expression, which begins in Cycle 1, develops into confident movement, performance, and teamwork.  A highlight is the Junior School production, where students take on leadership roles — acting, supporting younger performers, or managing backstage. These experiences foster communication, creativity, and responsibility, preparing students secondary school.

Being located at Brighton East also connects students with MMC’s Senior School, offering role models and a gentle transition into adolescence. Families looking for a primary school near Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham, or Elwood appreciate this unique balance of academic depth, specialist programs, and community leadership.

Our Montessori Teachers

A Foundation for Success

Our Junior School educators are highly trained in the Montessori method and passionate about guiding children through each stage of development. During a campus tour, you can meet our Montessori teachers and see how they observe, guide, and encourage every child’s unique learning journey.

In Cycle 1 (3-year-old Kinder, 4-year-old Kinder, and Prep), teachers provide a gentle introduction to school life, focusing on practical skills, grace and courtesy, and early academic foundations. In Cycle 2 (Years 1–3), they present increasingly complex lessons, helping students make connections across maths, literacy, and culture.

By the time children reach Cycle 3 (Years 4–6) at our Brighton campus, they work with specialist educators and alongside our senior school community. This gives them early exposure to the independence and collaboration they’ll need in secondary school, making the final transition seamless.

Families across Caulfield, Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham, Elwood, and Malvern choose MMC for the strength of its teachers and the individual attention their children receive. Parents searching for a local primary school near me value the stability, depth of care, and Montessori approach that sets our junior school educators apart.

why multi-age classrooms matter

Igniting a Love of Learning

One of MMC’s greatest strengths is our multi-age classrooms. By grouping students across three-year cycles (Cycle 1: 3YO–Prep, Cycle 2: Years 1–3, Cycle 3: Years 4–6), we allow children to progress when they are ready — not just because of their age.

Younger children learn by watching older peers, and older children reinforce their understanding by helping younger ones. This creates a collaborative community where every child feels valued and respected. Teachers know each child deeply and can present lessons that are precisely matched to their developmental stage.

Multi-age learning also supports continuity. Children benefit from staying with the same teacher across each cycle, building security and trust, while the peer group constantly refreshes as new students move up. This balance of stability and renewal keeps classrooms vibrant and engaging. Parents searching junior schools near me often find that MMC is the only school offering this tailored, continuous learning approach in Melbourne’s inner south-east.

Our Multi-Age Year LEvels

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