Welcome to Our Montessori Community
Eatablished in 1975, Donvale Montessori provides a high-quality and Authentic Montessori Program. The Montessori curriculum was officially recognised by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority as an alternative curriculum in 2011.
At Donvale Montessori we view each day as a new opportunity for wonder, inspiration and joy.
A Message from Our Principal
Welcome to Donvale Montessori.
Donvale Montessori holds a special place in my heart, both as Principal and as a parent. Having been part of the Donvale Montessori community for 29 years and having had my own children attend the Centre, I feel a personal and professional connection to Donvale Montessori. Having experienced the centre from a parent’s perspective, I understand how important it is to find an environment where children feel safe, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.
At Donvale Montessori, we provide a nurturing environment where children feel valued, supported and encouraged to learn and develop. Following the Montessori philosophy, we encourage children to develop independence, confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through meaningful experiences and a carefully prepared learning environment.
We value the strong partnerships we build with families and recognise that a child’s early learning journey is most meaningful when educators and families work together. We strive to create a welcoming community where children and families feel a strong sense of belonging.
Choosing an early learning centre is an important decision, and we invite you to visit Donvale Montessori, meet our educators and experience our learning environment firsthand.
Thank you for considering Donvale Montessori as part of your child’s learning journey. We look forward to welcoming your family to our community.
Warm regards,
Vicky Mihailidis
Principal
Donvale Montessori
Our Daily Practices
CREATE A SAFE & SECURE ENVIRONMENT
Children’s innate love of learning is cultivated in a safe, secure environment. Educators are sensitive to each child’s needs. A strong relationship is built on mutual respect, trust and cooperation between educators, children and their families.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Children have the freedom to move around and explore the materials in the classroom which are carefully designed and suitable for their growth. This prepared environment also provides opportunities for them to work in their own way, at their own pace and to make new discoveries.
Valuing Individual Abilities
Children have the opportunity to build an awareness of and an appreciation for different abilities and ways of learning and being.
stimulated by nature
Children have the opportunity to explore and be stimulated by nature, thereby becoming aware of the interconnectedness between living and non-living things.
exposed to multiple cultures
Children are exposed to Aboriginal and other cultures and races.
Our Dedicated and Experienced Team
One of the things that makes Donvale Montessori so special is our dedicated team of educators, many of whom have been part of our community for many years, with some having been here for 10, 15, even 21 years.
Their experience, commitment and genuine care for children and families help create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, supported and a sense of belonging. Over the years, our educators have built meaningful relationships with generations of families, sharing in the many milestones and special moments of children’s early learning journeys.
We are incredibly proud of our educators and grateful for the knowledge, warmth and dedication they bring to Donvale Montessori. Their contribution is an important part of our Centre’s story and the strong community we continue to build together.
Montessori Guide
VIT registered TeacherS
additional educators
Our statement of commitment to child safety
At Donvale Montessori, the safety, wellbeing and rights of every child are our highest priority. Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Victorian Child Safe Standards, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where all children feel valued, respected and empowered to learn and thrive.
We believe that every child has the right to be safe and protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to always acting in the best interests of children. Any concerns regarding a child’s safety or wellbeing are taken seriously and responded to promptly in accordance with our policies, procedures and legal obligations.
We are committed to promoting the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, ensuring the cultural safety of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, providing a safe and inclusive environment for children with disability, and supporting children who may be vulnerable or at increased risk of harm.
Donvale Montessori actively works to identify, assess and minimise risks to children’s safety and wellbeing. We maintain effective recruitment, screening and induction processes and provide ongoing training and professional learning to ensure that Committee members, staff and volunteers understand and uphold their responsibilities to keep children safe.
We foster a culture where children are encouraged to express their views, participate in decisions that affect them, and feel confident to speak up if they feel unsafe, uncomfortable or worried. We listen to children, take their concerns seriously, and respond in ways that are appropriate to their age, developmental and individual needs.
Through our child safe policies, procedures and practices, we are committed to continuously strengthening our child safe culture and ensuring that every child who attends Donvale Montessori Early Education Centre is safe, respected, included and supported.