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Frequently Asked Questions

What are AMI Montessori courses?

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) is the international Montessori body, established by Dr Maria Montessori to preserve the legacy of her vision.  AMI authorises training centres around the world to run their Montessori diploma and certificate courses.   

The courses offered by AMI prepare adults to work with children at the following levels: 

  • 0-3 Assistants to Infancy
  • 3-6 Early Childhood (also called Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House)
  • 6-12 Primary (also called Elementary) 

We offer two levels of Montessori courses:

  • AMI Montessori Assistants Certificate – a short introductory course for Montessori Assistants or parents 
  • AMI Montessori Diploma – an in-depth Montessori teacher training course

Those wanting to work in Montessori settings would select the course for the age range of the children they want to work with, then which course level, the Certificate or Diploma.  The upcoming courses open for applications are then listed on the main page of the website.

What format are ACMS courses?

All our Montessori courses are classroom-based, face-to-face learning experiences.  

Assistant Certificate courses are 60hrs, in either 2 weeks full-time or part-time over a number of weeks.  

Diploma courses consist of at least 400hrs of classroom-based training.  The course programmes include lectures, seminars, reading sessions covering Montessori philosophy, child development, and information on the presentation of Montessori materials.  Each diploma course also includes significant components of observation and teaching practice, supervised practice using Montessori didactic materials, classroom material making, and preparation of individual classroom manuals.

They are delivered in either full-time, part-time or block/module format.  

  • The 0-3 Diploma consists of 18 weeks of full-time modules over the course of a year. 
  • The 3-6 Diploma is run in either part-time format over an 18mth duration, or block/module format over 2 years.
  • The 6-12 Diploma is currently run as a 3-year summer block course format.

Are Montessori courses recognised early childhood qualifications?

The Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) assessed and approved the Australian Centre for Montessori Studies (ACMS) AMI Montessori Early Childhood 3-6 Diploma as an approved diploma level qualification under the National Quality Framework (NQF) on 28 September 2016.  See Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for details.

The competencies of the CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care have been embedded within the ACMS AMI Montessori 3-6 Early Childhood Education Diploma, with the exception of the following two units: 

  • CHCECE005 Provide care for babies and toddlers
  • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

In order to meet ACECQA requirements for this qualification: 

  • ACMS 3-6 Diploma holders must either hold the Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) or complete the above two units.
  • Overseas AMI 3-6 Diploma holders must hold the Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent).

This Nationally Recognised Training must have been undertaken at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  Evidence of Statements of Attainment and official academic transcripts will be required by ACMS. 

What does this mean for ACMS AMI 3-6 Diploma Holders?

ACMS AMI 3-6 Diploma students who already hold a Cert III Early Childhood Education & Care qualification will automatically receive the ACECQA approved transcript for their AMI 3-6 Diploma course, on application.  A copy of your Cert III Statement of Attainment and official academic transcript must be provided. ACMS reserves the right to contact the awarding RTO in order to confirm the validity of the qualification.

ACMS AMI 3-6 Diploma students who do not hold a Cert III Early Childhood Education & Care qualification can enrol in the two units described above either through ACMS or another training provider, to receive the ACECQA approved transcript for their AMI 3-6 Diploma course.  Course unit fees apply.

All ACMS AMI 3-6 Diploma graduates may apply to receive an updated AMI 3-6 Diploma ACECQA approved transcript.  A copy of your Cert III Statement of Attainment and official academic transcript must be provided, and a $50 transcript issue fee is payable. ACMS reserves the right to contact the awarding RTO in order to confirm the validity of the qualification.

What does this mean for Overseas AMI 3-6 Diploma Holders?

Overseas AMI 3-6 Diploma holders may apply to receive an ACMS AMI 3-6 Diploma ACECQA approved transcript.  A copy of your AMI diploma, Cert III Statement of Attainment and official academic transcript must be provided. A $50 transcript issue fee is payable. ACMS reserves the right to contact the awarding RTO in order to confirm the validity of the qualification.

Do you take International Students?

We are not accredited on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) to offer courses to overseas students.  This means that our courses are not eligible to apply for student visas.  Should prospective students have independently obtained an alternate valid visa entry status for the entire duration of the course, they may apply for our courses. 

What are my job prospects in Montessori?

There is a high demand for trained Montessori educators for all age levels.  Montessori early childhood centres (covering the 0-6 age group) are a growing sector.  Montessori primary schools are also clamouring for trained staff to meet demand.  For Job Openings see the Montessori Australia Foundation website: https://montessori.org.au/job-openings