welcome to
Cedars Montessori Pre-school
FAQS
Every question and comment is important to us, no matter how simple or complex, so if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for then please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
Is there a Waiting List
Cedars is a much-loved centre with a boutique size so we do have Waiting List of families who are waiting to join us. We are not able to guarantee immediate vacancies to new enquiries, but we will always endeavour to accommodate your family!
For those who are planning ahead, we are told that we are worth the wait!
Join our Waiting List.
We ordinarily have a $75 non-refundable Waiting List Fee but we are delighted to be temporarily waiving this fee. No fee is payable for all applications to our Waiting List made before 31/12/24.
Siblings of children currently or previously enrolled with SA Montessori are able to register to the Waiting List for free.
Unfortunately we are never able to guarantee families an eventual position but we run our Waiting List ethically and conscientiously.
To learn more please download our Enrolment Process information.
What are the Tuition Fees?
Our fees are as follows:
TODDLER PLAYGROUP:
$300 per 10 week term. Payable for full term in advance.
TODDLER TRANSITION:
$370 per 10 week term. Payable for full term in advance.
PRESCHOOL:
8am – 5.30pm:
$141 per day for children aged under 3
$134 per day for children aged over 3
Our Preschool fees are structured according to age group to reflect the differing costs associated with these ages, including (but not limited to) the increased number of educators required to satisfy the legal educator-to-child ratios for younger children
Payable weekly via ‘Debitsuccess’.
Preschool fees are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
Enrolment Registration Fee: $145
To learn more download our Fee Schedule
What is Cedars' Quality Rating?
We are proud to announce that Cedars Montessori Preschool has been awarded the ‘Exceeding’ Rating by ACECQA.
Five of our SA Montessori centres have reached the level of Exceeding the National Quality Standard with two of them, Chancery Lane and Jescott, achieving the additional ‘Excellent’ Rating’.
Can I visit Cedars?
Absolutely!
We feel that visiting in person is the best way for you to get to know us. Simply complete the contact form at the bottom of this page – or email cedars@samontessori.com.au – to make an appointment for a tour.
Where is Cedars located?
Cedars Montessori Pre-school is located on the grounds of Saint Spyridon College at 52 Oxford Tce, Unley. It is in close proximity to major bus routes and has easy access to the surrounding shopping and business district. The Unley City Library is across the road, the Sturt Football Oval is in walking distance and available for use by the school, and the Unley Shopping Centre is easily accessible. There is plenty of short-term street parking along Oxford Terrace for parents when dropping off or collecting children.
What Qualifications do the teachers have?
We are proud to employ highly qualified and skilled educators. The high standard of teaching and care offered at Cedars Montessori is a reflection of the talent, dedication and skill of our teachers.
Does Cedars provide food?
The centre does not provide meals but food is incorporated as a learning experience in the children’s kitchen. Children prepare and taste fruit, vegetables or other nutritious snacks. When it comes to meals it is our experience that children benefit when food is brought from home. This allows the child to feel connected to home during the day and ensures that meals will cater to individual tastes and cultural preference of the family.
Does my child need to be immunised?
Yes, to fulfil our obligations to provide a safe and healthy environment for employees, children, families and visitors we do require evidence of adherence to the nationally recommended vaccination schedule as a prerequisite for enrolment and as a condition of continuing attendance.
Please download our Immunisation Policy for more information.
Is there a uniform?
All children attending Cedars Montessori Pre-school are required to wear a uniform. This is for easy identification when the children participate in excursions or visit the Saint Spyridon College library or extended grounds. The unisex uniform consists of track pants and rugby top with a skivvy to be worn during the cooler months. Shorts and a polo shirt have been designed for the warmer weather. A hat is available for wearing year round. The uniform has been designed for comfort, durability and easy maintenance and is available through the Hambours Uniform Shop. Parents are advised how to order uniforms once an Offer of Placement has been confirmed.
Can my child nap at Cedars?
We endeavour to meet the individual needs of each child so we do not have any blanket rules about naps and we do not enforce group ‘sleep times’. Children will be allowed to rest or sleep as desired, however, it is anticipated that children of pre-school age will not require a regular sleep during the session. We do plan the routines of our day to incorporate periods of restful relaxation to ensure that each child’s well-being is supported.
What is the Orientation Process?
If you secure a placement at Cedars you will receive a detailed New Enrolment Pack, including a Parent Handbook, which contains comprehensive information to help you prepare for your Montessori journey. We advise you to read these materials thoroughly. You will also have the chance to speak with our educators to ask any questions you have and to arrange an Orientation visit. This will ensure that you and your child both feel empowered and prepared to take this very special step!
Is it normal for me to feel nervous?
Entrusting your child into somebody else’s care is a big step. It can feel particularly momentous if this is the first time that your child will be separating from you. We don’t underestimate the emotion involved – for your child and for you as a parent – and we are here to support you both.
We understand each journey is unique so we will work with you to create the perfect plan to make this transition as secure, comfortable and happy as possible. If you are not ready for your child to attend full days immediately you are welcome to arrange an early collection time so that your child can gradually transition into the routines of our Preschool day.
Our Story
Cedars Montessori Pre-school has a proud and long history of providing high quality education and care. It is our deep sense of respect for every child that inspires us to prepare nurturing educational programs that enhance each child’s unfolding pattern of learning. Cedars Montessori Pre-school began in 1993 and was originally located in Parkside. In 2001 Cedars moved to Walford Anglican School for Girls as the registered providers of the early learning centre, and in 2012 Cedars relocated once again to the current location at St Spyridon College in Unley.
Cedars Montessori Pre-school welcomes boys and girls aged three to six years old. A separate Toddler and Transition program is provided for children under three years of age who must attend with a parent or other adult. Our Pre-school is a very special place where every child feels valued.
About Us
Cedars Montessori Pre-school operates in a space offering character and quality finishes. Everything inside the learning area is aesthetically appealing and carefully planned to offer a safe and comfortable environment for children. Wherever possible the centre offers children’s furniture and beautifully crafted materials made from natural materials. Double doors open out to a verandah to enable children to work inside or out, tend the garden beds and extend their classroom learning experiences. The immediate outdoor area has been developed to provide an interesting play area. Each day the children of Cedars have access to the extensive playground at the back of the school. This area has wonderful climbing equipment and provides a challenging and safe play space. The Cedars children also have access to the St Spyridon multi-purpose hall and under-cover verandah area during times of inclement weather or for special occasions such as concerts and parent events.
The Montessori Pre-school curriculum is a three-year program that prepares a child with all the necessary skills to confidently enter Primary School at age five or six. It is a requirement that pre-school children must attend a minimum of two full days a week*. We recommend consecutive days for optimum continuity. Most children begin Preschool at the age of three, but some two-year-old children demonstrate developmental readiness for this group, especially in the months approaching their third birthday.
During the three-year Pre-school Program children experience enhanced learning through the vast array of specialised Montessori materials which are presented at various levels of difficulty to build upon each child’s existing level of knowledge and achievement. Cedars Pre-school provides excellent academic and social preparation that will assist children throughout their life. Children become self-motivated and confident students. Attendance at a government Kindergarten or other Early Learning Centre (ELC) is not required as children receive a holistic and comprehensive foundation from Cedars. In our experience children flourish more effectively when provided with the consistency of attending Cedars without the distraction of an alternative environment.
Priority of placement will be given to children who intend to complete their full three-year learning program at Cedars before graduating to Primary School.
Learn more about how our Montessori Preschool Program harmonises with the Early Years Learning Framework.
Children aged between one and three years begin their journey toward independence from their parent. This is the time when children start to discover the world outside their immediate family. It is an ideal time for parents to learn about the developmental stages and relative behaviours that their child may exhibit during the quest for independence. Our Toddler (12 months to 2 years) and Transition (2 to 3 years) classes focus not only on the child, but also on the parent (or carer). We provide a program that enables parents to understand the Montessori philosophy and how this allows children to fully develop their potential. Our skilled Coordinator provides parents with ideas on how to apply developmentally appropriate learning opportunities in their homes. The youngest children begin their young journey in the Toddler class and graduate to the Transition class once they approach a stage of early independence. Once a child begins to work separately from a parent we ask the parent to step away and let the child begin the process of interacting independently with the teacher. At this stage the child will have naturally progressed through “separation” from the parent and it is time to join the Pre-school class.
You can learn more about our Playgroup program here.
Toddler class
For children aged 12 months to 2 years.
Tuesday morning 9.15am – 10.45am.
$300 per 10 week term
Transition class
For children aged 2 to 3 years.
Tuesday afternoon 11.15am – 1.15pm.
$370 per 10 week term
Fees are payable for a full Term in advance. Fees are calculated based on the number of weeks in a term (full fees are collected regardless of absences or missed sessions). See Fee Payment section for more details. Transition classes operate only during school term times. Child Care Subsidy (CCS) cannot be claimed for this fee.
Our Montessori Pre-school
Our Montessori Playgroup sessions
Location
52 Oxford Tce, Unley
School Hours
M-F: 8am – 5.30pm
Weekends: Closed
Phone & Email
(08) 8373 4599
cedars@samontessori.com.au
Contact Cedars
Due to the holiday period, you may experience a delay in receiving a reply. We warmly welcome you to submit your enquiry, but we may not be able to respond until Term 1 commences on 28/1/25. We will endeavour to respond earlier to urgent enquiries if possible.
Our DIRECTOR
Wendy O’Sullivan
Director
After completing her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree, Wendy spent a 10 year period at Prescott College Southern teaching children from Reception to Year 7. She also worked in various schools and Government Departments on a part-time basis. After the birth of her second child, Wendy took some time away from teaching to focus on being a Mum and pursuing her passion for photography. Wendy soon found that she missed teaching and returned to the classroom when she joined the Cedars team in 2017. Her interest in the Montessori teaching method inspired her to study a Diploma of Montessori. Wendy has a drive and passion to continue to develop a happy and beautiful environment at Cedars.
“The secret of good teaching is to regard the child's intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination.”
Testimonials
What Parents are Saying
Cedars is a small, nurturing and inclusive environment, like a home away from home. Having different age levels in the one room gives the older children a chance to lead and care for the younger ones, and the younger ones look up to their older peers. We really like the child-led learning philosophy and the independence, confidence and natural curiosity it encourages from an early age.
For each of my children, Cedars has been a second home. Every morning when you arrive at Cedars, you instantly feel the warmth, love and a sense of belonging. From the bright and welcoming greeting your child receives from the educators as they walk in, to the cozy colourful classroom, which includes a big rainbow with each of their little faces. The beautiful educators know all the little details about each and every child; their personality, their abilities and their families. It’s hard to leave your child with others, but at Cedars it feels like your leaving your child with family.
Cedars is always full of smiling faces and helping hands that are ready to take the often tentative child (in the case of my son) under their wing and help them ease into the school day. It’s a place full of learning opportunities and the open communication and pictures sent through KeptMe help put us at ease knowing our son is having a great time.
Students
caring EDUCATORS
Centres
Years Established
Get In Touch
Cedars Montessori - Unley
cedars@samontessori.com.au
Chancery Lane Montessori - Adelaide CBD -
chancerylane@samontessori.com.au
Echoes Montessori - Modbury
echoes@samontessori.com.au
Jescott Montessori - Magill
jescott@samontessori.com.au
Lilliput Village Montessori - Maylands
lilliput@samontessori.com.au
Little Oxford Montessori - Unley
oxford@samontessori.com.au
Rosemont House Montessori - Norwood
rosemont@samontessori.com.au
Montessori Child is our preferred supplier for educational resources.
Our website is updated regularly and we endeavour to ensure it reflects current and accurate information - however, all details displayed are subject to change. It is important that you contact a centre directly to confirm up to date and correct details.
We would like to acknowledge this land upon which we live and learn as the traditional lands of the Kaurna people and we respect their spiritual relationship with Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the greater Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today and we give our respect to Elders.
