Montessori launches new introductory online courses

The introductory courses, which have been developed in response to demand from the sector, will be available from October through Montessori Centre International’s (MCI) online virtual learning environment.

They follow the introduction of MCI’s new Early Years Educator diploma qualification last month.

The courses, ‘The introduction to the Montessori Approach (IMA)’, aimed at newcomers and parents, and ‘The introduction to Montessori Practice (IMP)’ for early years practitioners with a minimum of a Level 3 and who already have a licence to practice in the sector, both cover the Montessori philosophy and curriculum areas.

Students can enrol onto the ‘Introduction to the Montessori Approach’, on a monthly basis. The course, which can completed in six to eight months, includes eight units of study. Learners will have to complete a series of reflections at the end of each unit and one assessed assignment. There will also be the option to attend a practical workshop.

The introduction to Montessori practice’ is designed as a continued professional development (CPD) course, which takes the maximum of a year to complete. It covers the same content as the IMA, but students will be required to complete four assignments and a practical workshop.The course will also be available via part-time study at MCI from February 2015.

Penny Johns, director of studies at MCI, said, ‘The IMP course is for practitioners that are new to Montessori, but not the early years sector, while the IMO course is for people that don't want to work towards a qualification, but are interested in Montessori. For instance, parents whose young children attend a Montessori setting might want to continue with the approach at home.'

• For more information or to enrol on the courses click here