Nursery group training academy links up with Montessori Centre International

Riverside Nursery Schools in south-west London is a group of five early years settings, and is part of the Dukes Education family, of nurseries  independent schools, and colleges.

Little Dukes Training Academy has received approval through MCI’s Standards & Training Accreditation Review (STAR) framework to become the first operational ‘host centre’, delivering a full suite of MCI’s courses and qualifications. 

It is the first operational ‘host centre’ for Montessori Centre International.

Approval by STAR enables the centre to be recognised as one of MCI’s global partners, 'positioned to bring professional education and Montessori-specialist training directly to the community'. 

Little Dukes Training Academy will offer a range of MCI programmes, including a new infant course, Integrating Montessori Specialism (for children from birth to three), which will  launch in September.

MCI said the partnership would give more communities access to Montessori provision, and early years educators and practitioners access to high quality professional training.

Maccs Pescatore, CEO of Montessori Centre International, said, ‘We are thrilled to be working with Little Dukes Training Academy as an approved STAR Host Centre, enabling us to increase our offering to professionals who want to upskill and enhance their knowledge of the Montessori pedagogy.

‘We hope this becomes a long-standing and mutually beneficial partnership, that will support those wishing to enter the education sector and continue to enhance the quality of early years provision across the country.’

Aimee Kimbell, principal of Riverside Nursery Schools (pictured above), part of Little Dukes, said, ‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Montessori Centre International on our shared quest to prepare the future generation of Montessori guides to deliver an outstanding early years education.’

Four of the nurseries are based in the London Borough of Richmond, with the fifth in Worthing.

Preeti Patel, head of education at Montessori Centre International, added, ‘This is a truly exciting partnership, allowing us to expand the reach of our qualifications and training. Our new course will help professionals deepen their knowledge and understanding of infant education and we’re very much looking forward to continuing to collaborate with practitioners to shape more exciting and in-demand courses and qualifications over the coming months.’

Dukes Education also owns four Eaton Square Nursery Schools based in central London and Pimlico, and six Miss Daisy’s nurseries, also in London.