International Montessori operator Cosmic Education Group to launch flagship centre in Mount Waverley

Cosmic Education Group, one of Asia’s largest operators of Montessori schools, is set to make its Australian debut with a premium 150-place childcare centre in Mount Waverley, Victoria.

The group has secured a lease for a purpose-built centre at 454 Waverley Road, with construction to commence in early 2026. The deal, brokered by CBRE’s Australian Healthcare & Social Infrastructure team, includes a 15-year initial lease term plus options, generating an annual rental income of $865,000 over $5,000 per place.

Designed by Architecton in collaboration with Cosmic Education, the centre will feature premium facilities and a commercial café open to the public. Positioned alongside Scotchman’s Creek on a major public walkway, the café is expected to become a popular meeting place for local residents, walkers and cyclists.

“This is more than a standard childcare centre,” CBRE’s Marcello Caspani-Muto said. “It will be a beacon for the community, combining quality early learning with amenities that bring people together.”

The project has been backed by the local council, with planning approval now secured after CBRE first sold the site in 2020. The new centre will sit adjacent to Opal’s Scotchmans Creek Aged Care home, creating an intergenerational hub where children and aged care residents can interact and share activities.

“This has been a project many years in the making,” CBRE’s Jimmy Tat said. “There are many benefits for both children and residents that will come from the co-location of both operations.”

Cosmic Education Group currently operates 27 campuses across Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali and mainland China. The group has engaged CBRE to support its Australian expansion, focusing on premium Victorian locations and partnerships with experienced local developers.

Construction of the Mount Waverley centre is expected to be completed in 2027.