Reggio, Montessori & Play-Based Learning: Approaches Compared

You'll hear these three terms on every kindergarten tour. They aren't competing — most strong programs borrow from all of them.

Play-based learning

The default of the Victorian Early Years Learning Framework. Children learn through purposeful play guided by educators. We covered the evidence in our play-based learning article.

Reggio Emilia

An Italian-born approach treating children as capable, curious, and full of ideas. The environment is the "third teacher" — natural materials, lots of light, documentation of learning on the walls. Projects are child-led and often run for weeks.

Montessori

Structured freedom: prepared environments with self-correcting materials. Children choose work, practice independence, and move through skills at their own pace. Strong focus on practical life skills.

How we blend them at Meraki

Our curriculum is play-based and Reggio-inspired, with practical-life elements borrowed from Montessori (real cutlery, real plates, real responsibilities). The environment, the documentation and the educator's role all reflect that.

See it for yourself — book a tour of Mooroolbark or Bayswater.