MONTESSORI
Degree
BA (Hons) Montessori Education
What: A three-year, full-time course launched last year, with the first two years taught by the Maria Montessori Institute and the final year by the University of East London. Alongside the degree, students will receive the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teaching diploma.
Where: Montessori Training Institute, near Goodge Street, London, and UEL.
BA (Hons) Montessori Early Childhood Practice
What: Three years, full-time, part-time and online. Available from September at Montessori Centre International (MCI), which is awarded by London Metropolitan University. MCI diploma graduates will be able to fast track into the second year of the degree.
Where: MCI, St John’s Wood, London
Foundation degree (Level 5):
Both the above can be done as two-year foundation degrees.
Level3/4:
NCFE CACHE Level 3/4 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy – Birth to Seven (Early Years Educator)
What: Aims to provide the expertise, skills and professional approach needed to become a facilitator of Montessori education, including classroom-based and placement hours. The Level 3 and 4 qualifications also include preparation to take on a leadership role.
Where: MCI, St John’s Wood, London
STEINER
Degree
There is no full Steiner degree.
Level 5:
NCFE CACHE Level 5 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies – Leadership and Management
What: A work-based learning qualification has been designed for learners already practising in Steiner Waldorf settings who have EYE status. Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (Early Years Educator) is an entry requirement. Includes full-time work placement in a Steiner Waldorf setting over one year plus three Saturdays in London or three Fridays/Saturdays in York.
Where: The London Steiner Kindergarten Training Company (London), or North of England Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies Programme (NESWEC, York).
Level 4:
CACHE Level 4 Diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (Early Years Educator)
What: Part-time over two years. Focus on threes to sevens; also covers child development from birth to seven. Leads to a Level 4 Ofqual-accredited qualification that meets the Early Years Educator Level 3 criteria.
Where: Monthly Saturdays in London with two residentials in Gloucestershire, or monthly weekends in York with four residentials in the Midlands. This is delivered by the London Steiner Kindergarten Training Company and NESWEC.
Level 3:
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Baby and Child Care (EYE)
What: Part-time over one year, emphasis on birth to threes. Integrates Steiner studies and the Pikler approach while meeting Level 3 Early Years Educator criteria. It does not offer progression to the Level 4 programme (see above).
Where: Saturdays/weekends at Rudolf Steiner House, London and a five-day residential at Emerson College, Sussex.
short courses
Montessori
There is no single Montessori organisation but several offering CPD and short courses. Many of these will offer diplomas. They include:
- MCI (Montessori Centre International) is part of Montessori St Nicholas, which is a membership organisation including the MSN charity.
- AMI (Association Montessori International) is related to the Montessori Society, also a membership organisation. Maria Montessori Institute is a training institute that offers the AMI diploma.
- Modern Montessori International is another training institute which also has training centres abroad, while Montessori Education is the standards body.
- MCI says it will be developing a range of professional development packages for individual practitioners and settings from early 2019 on a ‘mobile-friendly platform’. Sign up athttps://openlearning.montessori.org.uk.
Steiner
The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship is the membership organisation for all the Steiner schools and independent Steiner early years settings in both the UK and Ireland.
For CPD, there are a few courses here: https://www.steinerwaldorf.org/steiner-teachers/professional-development.
Sometimes individual Steiner schools offer training. For more information, see https://www.steinerwaldorf.org.
