Yarralumla Montessori, established in 1982, is a component of Yarralumla Primary School and the ACT Education Directorate. It offers a Montessori-based Cycle One program. Children who turn 3 before April 30 are eligible to begin. They complete the program after 3 years. There are 2 multi-age classrooms (Pink and Green), each with 25 children, a teacher and an assistant. In the afternoons, the 5 year old children from each classroom (in their third year at Kindergarten level) work together in the Red Group.
First Year - From their third birthday, children attend two consecutive core mornings per week - Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday, 8.45am-11.45am. Parents are required to pay fees for this year. This fee supports the 3 year old program (an integral part of Montessori) as it is not funded by the ACT Government. For example, in 2018 the cost recovery payment was $700 per 10 week term. A child's continued enrolment is dependent upon fees being paid in advance each term. Children need to be toilet trained before commencement.
Second Year - Children attend four core mornings per week - Tuesday to Friday, 8.45am-12.30pm. This is equivalent to the mainstream preschool year. These hours of attendance are in line with the national provision of 15 hours of preschool a week for all preschool students. A voluntary contribution is set by the Parent Association.
Third Year - Red Group: Children attend 5 days - Monday to Friday, 8.45am-2.30pm. This is equivalent to the mainstream Kindergarten year. It is the culmination and consolidation of their First Cycle of Montessori where children become leaders and role models for the younger children. A voluntary contribution is set by the Parent Association.