Sydney's first standalone parent–bub Montessori classes — on the Northern Beaches, since 2017.
Manly Daily
Meet Anniebelle Vergel de Dios
Anniebelle is a Sydney-based Montessori educator who has spent more than nineteen years working with children from birth to age three — and, just as importantly, with the adults who raise them. Born and educated in the Philippines, where "we had to learn in a very standardised way," she came to Montessori as a young teacher and has built her career around it since. Today she runs Little Hands at Work from classrooms in Manly and Forestville, and has worked with families, educators and schools across Australia, New Zealand and Asia. skills you need to advance in your career.
Training and credentials
Anniebelle Vergel de Dios is an AMI 0–3 Diploma Certified, AMS Montessori Infant and Toddler Instructor, an Educator, Family Consultant, and a Speaker with over 19 years dedicated to supporting children from birth to age three and guiding adults in understanding Montessori philosophy. She holds an AMI Assistants to Infancy Diploma and brings a strong foundation in psychology, early childhood education, and Montessori training from internationally recognised institutions. Anniebelle has delivered workshops and webinars for parents and educators worldwide, covering topics such as Montessori principles, child development, sleep, toilet learning, and positive discipline.
What the work looks like
Anniebelle's focus is the quiet, underrated work of the first three years — the stage where parents, not teachers, do most of the shaping. Her parent–infant and parent–toddler classes are designed around that conviction: instead of dropping children off, parents come in, observe, and learn to see what their child is already doing. The emphasis is practical rather than theoretical — specific ways to set up a home, hold a limit, follow a developmental interest, and step back at the right moment.
Alongside the classes, Anniebelle offers one-on-one family consultations on sleep, toilet learning, and positive discipline, and hosts Fireside Chats — small-group conversations where parents bring the questions they're sitting with.
"Montessori is about independence. This philosophy is applicable from birth until eighteen years of age. We don't rely on materials. It's not just classroom-based. Children want to do things for themselves. For me, the Montessori philosophy is a way of life."
— Anniebelle, in conversation with SBS Filipino
