Nursery World - Montessori risks accreditation loss

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has warned Montessori organisations that in the long term, unless their qualifications are placed on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's (QCA) accredited framework, they will cease to be recognised under the new national care standards. As yet, no Montessori organisation has submitted an application for accreditation to the QCA. A DfES spokesman said that while Montessori qualifications would continue to be recognised both in Montessori and non-Montessori settings for the purposes of meeting qualified staff ratios from September, when Ofsted's Early Years Directorate takes over inspection of daycare using the new standards, this would not always be the case.

As yet, no Montessori organisation has submitted an application for accreditation to the QCA. A DfES spokesman said that while Montessori qualifications would continue to be recognised both in Montessori and non-Montessori settings for the purposes of meeting qualified staff ratios from September, when Ofsted's Early Years Directorate takes over inspection of daycare using the new standards, this would not always be the case.

He said, 'Montessori qualifications will continue to be recognised from September, but in the longer term it is intended that the national standards will reflect only those qualifications on the QCA framework. Montessori qualification providers will need to consider their position in relation to joining this framework.'

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