Early Childhood Diploma - Full Time

This course provides full-time training for those wishing to work with, or (later) be in charge of nurseries for, children in the age-range 2 1/2 - 6 years.

What are the Entry Qualifications?

Candidates who are aged 18-21 years normally require two 'A' levels or equivalent (e.g. International Baccalaureate or GNVQ 3). Students without these may be accepted, subject to their being able to demonstrate (via written work and interview) that they could cope successfully with the work. A good school reference is required and, preferably, evidence of satisfactory work experience with children.

Mature students (22+) are accepted on the basis of their personal qualities and experience. No specific examination passes are required, but an appropriate ability with the English language must be demonstrated.

How is the Course Structured?

The course consists of three components:

  • One: Knowledge of Childcare and Education - an introduction to the psychology and development of pre-school children.
  • Two: Use of the Montessori Apparatus - the Montessori Method involves the use of specialised teaching materials, and instruction in their use is provided.
  • Three: Teaching Practice - there is an assessed period of teaching practice.

It is assessed by coursework throughout the course, and also by practical and theory examinations at the end.

Students attend the centre in Chiddingstone two days a week, in term times only, for a year. The other 2/3 days a week are spent in a Montessori nursery, which will be arranged (as far as possible) to be near the student's home.

What does the Course cover?

Component One: Knowledge of Childcare and Education (2-6yrs)

  • The Child's Environment - The ideal nursery environment, nature v nurture debate, safety, Government regulations, integration, parental co-operation
  • The Teacher's Task - Preparation of the teacher, motivation, levels of obedience, normalisation, recognising sensitive periods, child protection
  • How Children Develop - Norms of child development, physical, intellectual, emotional, personality and social development, sensitive periods, pampered/deviant/weak children, causes of behavioural or developmental problems
  • Observing Children - Methods of observation, choice, use and evaluation of methods, variations of settings, children's rights
  • How Children Think and Learn - Learning theories, e.g. behaviourist, cognitive and social learning; concept formation, Bruner, Piaget, Vygotsky; learning problems e.g. SLD; play and work, different types of play e.g. solitary, co-operative. Learning through play; different learning styles and different teaching strategies; group/individual teaching, evaluation of learning
  • Creative Work - Montessori on creativity, imagination and fantasy; artwork with different media suitable for nursery children, process not product, art appreciation; music, movement dance and drama in the whole curriculum, the' topic wheel'; using a variety of teaching strategies for aesthetic subjects

Component Two: Use of the Montessori Apparatus

  • Life Skills - The Montessori work cycle, practical life skills exercises, developing gross and fine motor control, value of cultural diversity
  • Educating the Senses - Rationale for sensory education, sensorial education exercises, exploration of sound, colour, texture, shape and spacial form in 2 or 3 dimensions, special needs
  • Teaching about the World - The sun, as star and as source of energy, Solar system; Earth, shape and structure; land, air and water forms; Continents and countries, cultural diversity; mapping; Variety of living things, classification; Habitats, life-cycles; Concepts of time, personal time lines, annual changes; Prehistoric time line, eras
  • Language and Literacy - Language as it involves speaking, listening, reading and writing; Language acquisition, language and thought, norms of development; preparation through rhymes, practical life/sensorial programmes, other skills; different approaches to the teaching of reading; writing skills, introduction of grammar
  • Early Mathematics - Preparing the child through earlier Montessori exercises, also sorting into sets, matching, number rhymes and stories, games, calendar time, movement, sequencing, shopping, work with clay etc.; moving from concrete to abstract; the Montessori maths materials; the four basic functions

Component Three: Teaching Practice

  • Classroom Skills - Relating the setting to the local community, observation, keeping records, self evaluation, presentations of apparatus, health and safety, reviewing books
  • Child Study - Child study based on observations and assessment; preparation and delivery of a group project; organisation of the day; evaluation
  • Nursery Management - Professional behaviour, policy writing and implementation e.g. equal opportunities, SEN Code of Practice, discipline policy; Government regulations; Setting up - premises, recruiting and retaining staff, professional development; parental partnerships; stress; finances and tax affairs

When is the Diploma Awarded?

The Diploma is awarded on satisfactory attendance (minimum 90%) and completion of all the course assessments, to at least a satisfactory standard:

  • Written coursework, set throughout the course
  • Production of reference files on the practical materials
  • Detailed observations of children
  • Making of language and cultural teaching materials
  • Two three hour written examinations
  • An individual practical examination
  • Satisfactory completion of 400 hours practice teaching
  • Visits to oversee the teaching practice
  • Additional coursework, based on the practical experience

Is the Course Accredited?

This course is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, an international body based in the U.S.A. (see the MACTE website for details). This is the only Montessori qualification in the U.K. to be accredited in this way.

The course (through our sister company, Montessori Assessment & Education Ltd) is also accredited by the Open University and is eligable for the award of 120 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer System) points (see the OU credit transfer website). This may give advance standing of up to a year for an appropriate degree coursess. This is also the only Montessori qualification in the U.K. to be accredited in this way.

The course is also accepted by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) as giving qualified status under the Children Act, i.e. it is suitable for people to be in charge of nurseries (see the SureStart website for details).