North Shore Preschool Guide

If you’re looking for a wonderful preschool for your child on the North Shore, our North Shore Preschool Guide is a great place to start your search! It showcases a range of amazing preschools across the North Shore, all with different philosophies and values. Read on for key information about each preschool, with details of how you can book a tour to explore further.

Click on the links below, to quickly go to the full listing in our North Shore Preschool Guide:

• Blue Gum Community School, Hornsby
• Cameragal Montessori School, North Sydney
• East Lindfield Community Preschool, East Lindfield
• Forestville Montessori Preschool, Forestville
• Gowrie NSW Shirley Road Preschool, Crows Nest
• Integricare Christ Church St Ives Preschool, St Ives
• Lindfield Montessori, Lindfield
• McMahons Point Community Preschool & Early Learning Centre, McMahons Point
• Redlands House, Cremorne
• Roseville Kindergarten, Roseville
• Sydney Grammar School St Ives Preparatory, St Ives
• Uniting Preschool Turramurra – Turratots, Turramurra
• Willoughby Community Preschool Inc, Naremburn

Prefer a childcare centre? Take a look at our North Shore Childcare & Early Learning Centre Guide too!

VIEW THE NORTH SHORE CHILDCARE GUIDE

Lower North Shore Preschools

Redlands Preschool (Cremorne)

Redlands Preschool (Redlands House) provides a richly stimulating, innovative and caring environment that fosters students’ natural curiosity and thirst for knowledge. It offers a purposeful education that establishes each child’s love of learning and a strong sense of self.

It is one of the very few preschools in Australia to have received a perfect rating of Exceeding Quality Standard in all seven quality areas by ACECQA, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority. The two-year program, for children aged 3-5 years, incorporates the best early childhood teaching theories and practices worldwide.

The Redlands House curriculum strongly commits to developmentally appropriate practice for young children. Additionally, the teachers value the unique talents, strengths, and passions the children bring to preschool. Therefore, they develop teaching programs after attentively observing and listening to each child. Children are seen as active contributors to the learning process.

Key curriculum areas include literacy, numeracy, science, French, arts and crafts, library, music, and physical education. 

Click here to book a school tour.

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8am-6pm
• Fees: Junior (2 Day Program): $10,240 | Senior (3 Day Program): $15,360 | Transition: $25,600

Contact Redlands Preschool

• Address: 272 Military Road, Cremorne
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9909 3133
• Website: redlands.nsw.edu.au

McMahons Point Community Preschool & Early Learning Centre (McMahons Point) 

McMahons Point Community Preschool & Early Learning Centre

McMahons Point Community Preschool is a community-based, not-for-profit preschool that is managed by their wonderful staff and a committee of parents ensuring that the highest standards of education and care are given to the children of their community.

Their curriculum is play-based and child-centred, guided by the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework. The three key areas of their practice are: Belonging, Being, Becoming.

They believe that a high-quality school program should be designed to assist children in developing the skills and confidence needed for a smooth transition to formal schooling. Their school readiness approach focuses on the following key areas: Language & Literacy, STEM, Arts and Creativity, Social & Emotional Development and Physical Development.

To book a tour, contact their centre director, Elif, at [email protected]

• Ages: 2-6years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8.30am-3.30pm
• Fees: Monday to Wednesday: $99/day, Thursday and Friday: $109/day (CCS and Start Strong available for eligible families)

Contact McMahons Point Community Preschool & Early Learning Centre 

• Address: 165 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9956 6209
• Website: mcmahonspointcommunitypreschool.com/

Willoughby Community Preschool (Naremburn)

Willoughby Community Preschool

Willoughby Community Preschool Inc. is a long-standing institution within the Willoughby/Naremburn community, providing education and care for children aged three to five years for nearly half a century.  This North Shore Preschool is a community-based, not-for-profit, long-day care preschool which requires and highly values the involvement of its parent community. The Preschool has been assessed as “Exceeding” according to the National Quality Standard.

The preschool prides itself on being a Little Scientists House. This award acknowledges their commitment to inquiry-based STEM learning and daily scientific research with the children, documenting the progress and attending ongoing professional development programs with Little Scientists Australia. They participate in the Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) programme for four-year-old children (year before school), integrating the Japanese language learning and technology.

The languages spoken by educators are English, Mandarin, Italian, Japanese, and Korean. Their educators are highly skilled and passionate about learning and share their special interests in music—teaching the children the ukulele; fine arts; and nature, including sustainability, gardening, growing vegetables, and tending to their native bees.

Want to know more? Access their Virtual Tour here. Contact their Director to book an in-person tour.

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8am-4pm
• Fees: 3-day group (Mon, Tues, & Wed) or 2-day group (Thurs & Fri). 9am-3pm, $84 per day, or 8am-4pm $106 per day.

Contact Willoughby Community Preschool

• Address: 7-9 Central Street, Naremburn
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9437 4260
• Website: wcp.org.au

Gowrie NSW Shirley Road Preschool (Crows Nest)

Gowrie NSW Shirley Road Preschool

At Gowrie NSW Shirley Road Preschool, excellence is at the heart of everything they do. They’re proud to have received an Exceeding Rating, reflecting their commitment to fostering curious, confident learners through their play-based learning approach. Children are encouraged to explore, imagine, and create in a supportive environment that nurtures their unique strengths and interests. Their passionate educators design dynamic, hands-on experiences, allowing children to build essential skills for school and life. Shirley Road Preschool is more than just a learning space—it’s a place where children thrive every day.

Here at Shirley Road, they believe that learning should be a joyful journey. Their play-based curriculum allows children to engage with their world meaningfully, promoting cognitive, social, and emotional growth. From collaborative group activities to independent discovery, each experience is thoughtfully designed to cultivate resilience, creativity, and a love for learning. By fostering strong relationships between educators, children, and families, they ensure every child feels valued and supported as they take their first steps in education. This is what sets their Exceeding Rated preschool apart.

• Ages: 3-6 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8.15am-3.45pm
• Fees: Attending 2 days (3-5 year olds) and has nominated Shirley Road Preschool as their fee relief provider $30 | Attending 2 days (3-5 years old) and has not nominated Shirley Road Preschool as the fee relief provider $91 | Unfunded Fee (day 3) $91 | Unfunded Fee (day 4) $91 | Unfunded Fee (day 5) $91

Contact Gowrie NSW Shirley Road Preschool

• Address: Corner Shirley Road and, Nicholson Pl, Crows Nest NSW 2065
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 8594 4200
• Website: gowriensw.com.au

Cameragal Montessori School

Cameragal Montessori School

Set your child up for a lifetime of joyful learning, success and happiness at Cameragal Montessori School. It is the only NESA-registered Montessori school on the lower north shore, offering education for children from 0 to 12 years.

They have been established for over 40 years and are proud of their heritage of supporting children in reaching their full potential in learning and life.

Cameragal Montessori School has two preschool locations for 3-6 year olds, one nestled in the beautiful Forsyth Park in Neutral Bay and the second at 47 Ridge Street in North Sydney.

• Ages: 6 weeks – 6 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8am-4pm

Contact Cameragal Montessori School

• Address: 47 Ridge St, North Sydney
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9954 0344
• Website: cameragal.nsw.edu.au

Upper North Shore Preschools

Lindfield Montessori

By fostering a love of learning with hands-on materials, a mixed-age classroom and Montessori-trained educators, Lindfield Montessori helps children build the strongest possible foundations for the world ahead of them. They have been helping children reach their full potential for almost 50 years.

They offer three—to five-day programs for preschool children aged three to six, with the option of full or half days.

They are registered to deliver the first year of school through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Their Kindergarten program follows the NSW syllabuses and incorporates Montessori principles, activities and materials in all key learning areas.

Keeping their numbers deliberately small provides dedicated individual support for their children.

• Ages: 3-6 years
• Meals: Bring your own morning tea and lunch
• Hours: 8:30am-3.30pm
• Fees: $3,545 per term for five days per week (eligible children will receive the State Government Fee Relief discount of up to $1,055 per term)

Contact Lindfield Montessori 

• Address: 9 Moore Ave, Lindfield
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9416 3780
• Website: lindfieldmontessori.nsw.edu.au

Roseville Kindergarten

Roseville Kindergarten

Roseville Kindergarten is a CCS-approved centre that caters for up to 40 children aged 3-6 for 2-5 days per week. It provides a welcoming, safe, and stimulating environment where children can become active learners.

They provide a varied program for all children based on the children’s interests, observations and family input. The Centre’s program incorporates the Emergent Curriculum and the Early Years Learning Framework. They encourage family input into the program. They have two classrooms, and each class is run by experienced and qualified Early Childhood Educators.

• Ages: 3-6 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8:00am-5.30pm
• Fees: Pre-School Hours (9am-3pm) = $130/day |  Long Day Care Hours = $160/day

Contact Roseville Kindergarten

• Address: 15 Shirley Road, Roseville
• Additional centres: St Ives Chase Kindergarten: 120 Warrimoo Avenue, St Ives Chase
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9416 3002
• Website: rosevillekindy.nsw.edu.au

East Lindfield Community Preschool

East Lindfield Community Preschool has been part of East Lindfield for over 50 years – with former students now Parents at the Preschool.  Every year we welcome families from many different cultures and background, and host various social events throughout the year to encourage connections between our children and their families.

East Lindfield Community Preschool is conveniently located next door to Lindfield East Public School and a short walk to East Lindfield shops and Dukes Green playground. Their team has formed strong connections with many of the local Primary Schools, and work together to ensure children are supported in their transition to Primary School.

Their dedicated long-serving Teachers and Educators inspire the children to develop a strong sense of identity, learning and a feeling of belonging in their group. Each classroom of up to 19 children, has a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and an additional two experienced qualified Educators.

ELCP also is committed to the equitable inclusion of all children and welcomes children with additional health or learning needs. We work with family’s allied health teams, KU Inclusion Support and the classroom team to ensure all children have the opportunity to a quality Preschool education.

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 7:30am-3.30pm
• Fees: 3 years old  = $79/day | 4 years old = $74/day (age as at 31 July 2024)

Contact East Lindfield Community Preschool

• Address: 110 Tryon Road, East Lindfield
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 8350 1842
• Website: eastlindfieldpreschool.com.au

Uniting Preschool Turramurra – Turratots

Uniting Preschool Turramurra – Turratots

Uniting Preschool Turramurra – TurraTots has been part of the community for over 30 years, teaching essential skills for a smooth transition to school and beyond.

Their warm, welcoming service operates during school terms, offering stimulating indoor and outdoor environments. Their programs inspire a love of learning through purposeful play and group activities that foster curiosity, confidence, creativity, and self-expression.

They celebrate each child’s unique interests and learning styles, paving the way for ongoing literacy, numeracy, and language development. Their qualified educators ensure your child feels secure and connected, enhancing their emotional intelligence and social skills. They also promote environmental stewardship, instilling respect for nature and sustainable practices.

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8am-4pm
• Fees: $103/day

Contact Uniting Preschool Turramurra – Turratots

• Address: 11 Gilroy Road, Turramurra
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1800 864 846
• Website: https://www.uniting.org

Sydney Grammar School St Ives Preparatory

St Ives Preparatory

Sydney Grammar School St Ives Preparatory offers a unique five-day Preschool programme for deeply curious boys who are driven by special interest and a thirst for understanding.

Their Preschool provides opportunities for richer learning. Boys will make discoveries and develop theories while they build competencies in literacy, music, creative arts, science, physical education, and numeracy.

Their programme connects the pedagogical practices of the first years of formal schooling with holistic play-based learning, supporting the development of learning dispositions including curiosity, creativity, commitment, cooperation, confidence, enthusiasm, imagination, reflexivity and persistence. These will become the foundations for education at Grammar.

Come and visit the Preschool at St Ives Preparatory School. To make a booking, visit our website (School Tours – Sydney Grammar School (sydgram.nsw.edu.au) to book a tour or to find out more, call 8302 5200.

• Ages: 4-5 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8:00am/8:30am – 2:30pm Monday – Friday
• Fees: $32,313 per annum (2024)

Contact Sydney Grammar School St Ives Preparatory

• Address: 11-21 Ayres Road, St Ives, NSW
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 8302 5200
• Website: sydgram.nsw.edu.au/st-ives

Integricare Christ Church St Ives Preschool

Integricare Christ Church St Ives Preschool

Integricare Christ Church St Ives Preschool caters for children aged 3-5 years olds.

Their Preschool has 2 groups of 20 children per day during school terms. Their Preschool is set in a peaceful oasis of quiet away from main roads with nature-inspired landscaped outdoor learning environment and a focus on sustainability. They have bright, clean, spacious & well-ventilated indoor learning environments with an experienced university-trained teacher in each group.

Their School readiness program is preparing your child for prep, kindy and a lifetime of learning with child-centred early literacy & numeracy program. Their Preschool is based on Christian values & ethics. They are committed to inclusion & work together with allied health professionals. Rated Exceeding in all seven quality areas in 2023.

• Ages: 3-6 years
• Meals: Bring your own recess & lunchbox
• Hours: 8.30am-4pm
• Fees: 3 years old  = $80/day | 4 years old = $70/day | Unfunded = $90/day | Heath care card = $40/day | Start Strong Fee Relief available as a fee reduction up to $4,222/year

Contact Integricare Christ Church St Ives Preschool

• Address: 75 Ayres Road, St Ives
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9144 3067
• Website: integricare.org.au

Blue Gum Community School, Hornsby

Positioned within the stunning and historic homes and gardens of Mount Errington, Blue Gum Community Preschool is for children from 3 to 5 years of age.

Their setting inspires wonder and adventure for all members of the community and their approach is informed by best practices in Australia and around the world.

The Blue Gum approach ensures that learning is always meaningful, contextualised and marked by joy – so important in a time of uncertainty triggering high levels of anxiety.

Small by design, Blue Gum’s high teacher-to-child ratios ensure high-quality relationships can be established with each child and their family. Working closely alongside the children, their teachers partner with children in the learning process – co-collaborators in their pursuit of understanding, lending their competencies, skills, and support to equip them to discover and take an active role in finding their own answers.

Underlying Blue Gum’s educational approach is our empowering image of the child as competent, capable, creative, responsible, resourceful, and resilient, rather than an empty vessel to be filled.

They represent a new and hopeful option for families, in and around Hornsby, looking to re-imagine education and find joy as they enrol their child in a school that places rich learning encounters, creativity, exploration, collaboration, relationships and joy at the centre of every day.

Would you like to know more? Complete a waitlist application here. You will then be invited to attend a tour conducted monthly to experience the wonder and adventure at Blue Gum.

• Ages: 3-5 years
• Meal: Morning and afternoon tea provided. Children bring their own lunch.
• Hours: Full Day: 8.00am – 6.00pm | Regular Day: 8.30am – 3.30pm | Short Day: 9.00am – 3.00pm
• Fees: Childcare Subsidy and Start Strong for LDC available, if eligible. Full Day: $170 Short Day: $102

Contact Blue Gum Community School

• Address: 1 Rosemead Road Hornsby, NSW 2077
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9138 2019
• Blue Gum Community School website

Forestville Montessori School

Immerse your child in joyful learning of practical life skills and foundational concepts in math, literacy and world culture.

At FMS, your child will develop an understanding of the world through exploration, curiosity and hands-on experiences. Preschool at FMS provides a carefully prepared environment, bursting with opportunities for fulfilling learning to take place.

Your child will be inspired by degree-qualified teachers, who also hold Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Diplomas. Their educators work closely with each child to discover their personal learning strengths and guide their early education.

They encourage purposeful learning through play. Your child will have fun discovering mathematical concepts, early literacy skills and exciting explorations of their world.

Your child will thrive in their holistic learning environment and as part of our whole-school community that extends beyond Preschool for K-6 students.

Extra Curricular

• Animal care program
• Environmental care and horticulture
• A variety of incursions
• Social justice and peace education
• Kindergarten preparation
• Before and after school care
• Vacation care

• Ages: Toddler Program: 2-3 years, Preschool Program: 3-6 years
• Meal: Morning and afternoon tea provided. Children bring their own lunch.
• Hours: 8am – 6pm
• Fees: 3 Days, 4 days or 5 days. Fees starting at $150 per day (CCS available for eligible families)
• Book a tour: Call 02 9452 2044 or book online.

Contact Forestville Montessori School

• Address: 1 Angel Place, Forestville NSW 2087
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (02) 9452 2044
• Website: forestvillemontessori.nsw.edu.au

VIEW THE NORTH SHORE CHILDCARE GUIDE

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