Montessori-Style family day care at home

Local parents who want a small, home-like setting with a Montessori approach, often with Child Care Subsidy helping to cover fees if eligible.

Hourly or daily fees per child, with a small number of children per day. Part of your fees may go to the coordinating service, so check the split.

• Early childhood education and Montessori training
• Patience and calm communication
• Organising routines and a safe home space
• Parent communication and record keeping

• Educators generally need an approved early childhood qualification, so check the current requirements
• Your home must meet safety and assessment standards set by the regulator and your coordinating service
• Check your council and any lease or strata rules about running child care from home
• Working With Children Checks may be needed for you and other adults living in or visiting the home
• Public liability insurance and any cover required by your family day care service
• Check how many children you may care for at once, as limits apply
• Check whether you can use the Montessori name and how fees and Child Care Subsidy work with your service

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how you set up your home space, materials and safety requirements. Check any cover your family day care service requires.

Things to check include the approved early childhood qualification, home safety and assessment standards, council and lease or strata rules, Working With Children Checks for other adults in the home, and limits on how many children you may care for at once.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $9,000, depending on how many children you care for, your hours and fees. Check how fees and Child Care Subsidy work with your service.