Montessori Academy – Head Office

Montessori Academy was founded in the year 2000 by husband and wife, Charles and Colette Assaf, with the purpose of providing families with a high-quality alternative to play-based childcare. They initially became involved with Montessori education while they were searching for educational childcare for their own five children. After visiting numerous childcare and long day care services, they felt that something was missing.

Charles and Colette found what they were looking for in a Montessori Kindergarten in Croydon. Through an observation window, they observed their first Montessori classroom in action, and were astounded by how different the Montessori approach was to traditional play-based childcare. What amazed them most was the unique educational materials.

They watched on, astounded, as children approached the shelves, chose an activity, and found a space where they wanted to work. They could see children problem-solving, working independently, and learning through hands-on experience by using the educational materials. There was a distinct sense of joy and harmony that was unlike anything they had ever seen. As Charles and Colette departed the centre, they knew, without a doubt, that Montessori was the right choice for their own children. They enrolled their children the very next day.

In the year 2000, the Montessori Kindergarten where their children attended was put up for sale. Without hesitation, Charles and Colette made the decision to purchase the Croydon childcare centre, which became the first Montessori Academy. Charles and Colette’s vision was to establish an early learning service that would continue Doctor Maria Montessori’s legacy and to make Montessori available to as many children as possible.

They spent the next five years learning everything they could about Montessori Education and developed their experience as childcare operators. Over time, the centre’s reputation grew, and with it demand for Montessori Education. This is when Charles and Colette made the decision to invest everything that they had into the business so that they could open a second centre.

In 2005, they opened the second Montessori Academy, then a year later they opened a third, and then a fourth. In 2015, demand for Montessori Education had grown so significantly, that Montessori Academy opened eight new centres in one year.  In 2018, Montessori Academy partnered with Greentown China to provide additional funding for the company’s expansion throughout Australia and China.

Today, Montessori Academy manage and operate more than 50 childcare centres across Australia and China. Montessori Academy continues to be managed and operated by Charles and Colette Assaf alongside the company’s experienced Management Team.

In response to the evolving needs of families, Montessori Academy Group has embarked on a new venture in 2023: Montessori Care, dedicated to providing in-home aged care and disability services. Grounded by the transformative Montessori philosophy, the teams at Montessori Academy and Montessori Care apply the same empowering values to support individuals in their pursuit of independence, safety, and purpose.