A Guide for Perth & Fremantle Families on Identifying a High-Quality Early Learning Philosophy
As a parent beginning your search for the right early learning environment, you’ll quickly encounter two names: Reggio Emilia and Montessori. Both are respected, world-renowned philosophies, but they are not the same. Understanding their unique approaches is key to finding the community and learning style that will best honour your child’s individual spirit.
At The Akidamy, we have built our schools in Perth and Fremantle around a deep, evidence-based understanding of child development. This guide explains these two major philosophies to help you make a confident and informed choice.
The World of Montessori: A Focus on Self-Directed Learning
The Montessori approach was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori over a century ago. Its philosophy is built on a deep respect for a child’s natural desire to learn and their ability to initiate their own education.
The key elements you’ll see in a Montessori classroom are:
- The Prepared Environment: Classrooms are beautiful, orderly, and designed with specific, self-correcting materials that invite exploration.
- Child-Led, Uninterrupted Work Cycles: Children are given long blocks of time to choose their “work,” fostering deep concentration and self-discipline.
- Practical Life Skills: Activities like pouring, dressing, and cleaning are integral, developing fine motor skills and independence.
- Multi-Age Classrooms: Children learn from and mentor one another in mixed-age groups.
For families wishing to explore this further, Montessori Australia is an excellent resource.
The World of Reggio Emilia: A Focus on Collaboration and Expression
The Reggio Emilia approach is a community-based philosophy built on a powerful image of the child as competent, capable, and full of potential. At its core, it’s about honouring the child’s innate curiosity.
This is the guiding philosophy at The Akidamy, and you can read more about it on our Our Philosophy page. The core principles include:
- The Environment as the “Third Teacher”: We believe the environment is a teacher in its own right. Our spaces are intentionally designed to be beautiful, inspiring, and rich with materials that provoke curiosity and empower children as architects of their own learning.
- The “Hundred Languages of Children”: This central concept acknowledges the many ways children express themselves—through drawing, sculpting, drama, and movement. Our practice supports the development of the whole child, including crucial sensory systems like the vestibular and proprioceptive systems that govern balance and focus.
- The Emergent Curriculum: The curriculum is co-constructed based on the children’s interests. This inquiry-based approach is visible in our studios:
- Our Nursery Studio is a sensory wonderland, designed to build crucial neural pathways.
- Our Toddler Programs offer choice and agency, fostering vital executive function skills.
- Our Kindergarten Studios support complex projects, focusing on creativity, critical thinking, and school readiness.
The official Australian body, the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE), provides a wealth of information on this philosophy.
How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Child
either philosophy is “better”—they are simply different. The best choice depends on your child’s unique personality. Ask yourself: Does my child thrive with clear structure, or with more open-ended, creative exploration?
Ultimately, the quality of any centre is also determined by its adherence to Australia’s national standards. We encourage all parents to familiarise themselves with the National Quality Standard (NQS) at ACECQA, the national authority, and use the resources available at the government’s family-focused site, Starting Blocks.
Seeing the Reggio Emilia Approach in Action
For families in Perth and Fremantle whose values align with a collaborative and inquiry-based philosophy, seeing the Reggio Emilia approach in action can be a powerful next step. Please look at our biannual magazine, Illumina, to see what we do in action at the School.
We invite you to learn more and get a feel for our community by booking a tour of our Perth or Fremantle schools.
