My Best course - Making a career of Montessori

The experience of volunteering at her daughter's Montessori nursery school was so rewarding for Wendelien Bellinger that she decided Montessori teaching was something she would like to do as a career.

'My daughter went to a Montessori nursery because the approach really appealed to me and my husband, and while she was there I started to help out, and really liked it. I'd had a different career before Rose was born, but decided that I would like to train to become a Montessori teacher.'

Her course research led her to Montessori Centre International (MCI), which offers a range of qualifications and CPD on a full, part-time or distance learning basis.

Ms Bellinger decided to study for the Level 4 Early Childhood Diploma course, which will qualify her to become a Montessori teacher of children aged two-and-a-half to six years and operate in a supervisory role.

There are theory and practical components to the course. Students have to pass final written and practical examinations and undertake 420 hours of teaching practice in a Montessori nursery.

'I went into MCI's central London study centre once a week for a whole day to complete the theory part of the course,' says Ms Bellinger. 'I'm now working my way through the placement and have completed around 80 hours so far.

'The theory part of the course was great. I'd been to university at 18 but doing this felt like a real choice - as it did for many of the other students, who were all very committed. The tutors were fantastic; they know their theory but they also have experience of practice.'

When Ms Bellinger has completed her placement hours, she hopes to become a member of staff at the nursery.

'I'm also toying with the idea of doing the MCI foundation degree in the future,' she says. 'It's brilliant that the diploma allows you to stream into that.'

www.montessori.org.uk/mci_training.