Expand+Entry Requirements / Prerequisites:

•Leaving Certificate, Level 5 Certificate in Childcare or equivalent and/or work/life experiences.

•Garda Vetting is required for all Childcare placements and students can apply for this through The Open Coll...

Hide-Entry Requirements / Prerequisites:

•Leaving Certificate, Level 5 Certificate in Childcare or equivalent and/or work/life experiences.

•Garda Vetting is required for all Childcare placements and students can apply for this through The Open College. Please ask for details.

•Students must currently be working (or on work experience) in the childcare sector for a minimum of 5 hours per week, throughout the course, as assignments will require learners to draw upon practical experience.

•Competent knowledge of English as well as basic typing skills as all assessments need to be typed prior to submission for correction.

•If you take this course by distance learning the course material will be posted to you. You can complete and return assignments/projects which must be typed rather than handwritten either by post or by email.

•As this programme is delivered through distance learning or eLearning, students must be capable of studying on their own initiative.

•If you take this course by eLearning you will need basic IT skills and have access to broadband.

•Learners must be able to attend Exam days as there are certain modules that require supervised examinations to be taken as part of the final Assessments.

Expand+•Sector Requirements: From September 2016, All staff in existing childcare services must have a level 5 qualification in early childhood care and education, and team leaders will have to have a Level 6 qualification (or equivalent).

Accreditation
...

Hide-•Sector Requirements: From September 2016, All staff in existing childcare services must have a level 5 qualification in early childhood care and education, and team leaders will have to have a Level 6 qualification (or equivalent).

Accreditation
• Following successful completion you will receive a QQI Level 6 Major award in Early Childhood Care & Education - 6M2007 and a Certificate in ECCE with Montessori Level 6 (The Open College).

•QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. The Open College is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI awards in the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

Expand+This part-time distance learning ECCE with Montessori programme will enable learners to work as autonomous practitioners in an ECCE setting providing them with a broad range of theories and practice in Early Childhood Care and Education in addition t...

Hide-This part-time distance learning ECCE with Montessori programme will enable learners to work as autonomous practitioners in an ECCE setting providing them with a broad range of theories and practice in Early Childhood Care and Education in addition to a comprehensive knowledge of the Montessori Method of Education for children in the age range 3 – 6 years.

In addition it provides learners with ECCE Level 6 qualification which enables the centre they are working in to qualify for the free preschool year ECCE scheme. This award covers in depth the six main Montessori disciplines:

•Theory & Practice,
•Practical Life,
•Mathematics,
•Language,
•Sensorial and Culture.

Learners will also acquire the knowledge to help them lead and supervise others in the provision of quality early childhood care and education, with emphasis on the Montessori Method of Education philosophy and curriculum. The programme leads to the QQI Level 6 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education – 6M2007.

Learners will complete a total of 9 modules to achieve this extensive award and will be equipped with all the knowledge, skill and competence to deliver the Montessori educational method to children in the Early Childhood Care and Education setting.

General Aims of this new Montessori Major Award is to:

•equip learners with a sound understanding of child development theory and observation methodologies which will enable the learners to apply this knowledge in work practice through observing, recording and making recommendations relating to children’s holistic development.

•equip learners with a knowledge of a wide range of educational theorists and philosophies and with an in-depth knowledge of Montessori Philosophy and Methods.

•familiarise learners with a variety of curriculum materials including knowledge of the purpose of a broad range of Montessori materials and to equip them with the skills to support children’s learning in an ECCE setting

•ensure learners can plan, implement and evaluate a Montessori programme and environment suitable for a child in an ECCE setting, with reference to the Aistear framework and Siolta principles.

•promote in learners the ability to nurture the holistic development and well-being of the child while valuing diversity and fostering equality and inclusion

•ensure learners understand the concepts of professional conduct, responsibility and autonomy and to facilitate learners in establishing an effective working environment and relationships when acting in a supervisory role in an ECCE setting.

Expand+The Montessori parts of the course train the learners to educate children in a way that gives them the best possible foundation for life.

"Maria Montessori’s goal was to develop the whole personality of the child and her system is based on her st...

Hide-The Montessori parts of the course train the learners to educate children in a way that gives them the best possible foundation for life.

"Maria Montessori’s goal was to develop the whole personality of the child and her system is based on her strong belief in the spontaneous working of the human intellect. The main principle of Dr. Montessori’s method is that the child learns by himself from experiences within the classroom. The role of the teacher is to prepare the classroom so as to maximise the benefits of the experiences within it".

While the Early Childhood Care and Education parts provide an opportunity for the Learner to gain and understand a range of theories in relation to child development and be able to implement a range of activities that will promote physical, social, emotional, intellectual development in children from 0-6 years.

Learners will be taught communication skills in both the written word and the spoken word as it is important to be able to communicate effectively with children, their families and colleagues in an effective, caring and professional manner.

They will learn how to respond appropriately to the care and educational needs of children of different ages, stages, interests and abilities, taking account of diversity and promoting equality and inclusion. The learner will be provided with detailed tutoring that both embraces and compliments the themes of Aistear and the philosophy of Maria Montessori.

It is essential that practitioners understand other approaches to curricula so that they can embrace a variety of philosophies and weave certain aspects or thinking into their work. Wherever our students decide to work they will be able to apply knowledge gained during this course that will ensure the safety and well-being of all children and their families.

QQI Credit Value gained is 120 + a possible 15 extra Credits

We have ensured that all Montessori methods are covered so students have an option of completing 9 Modules in this Major Award which includes all the key Montessori modules.

Mandatory – All of the following components:

•Child Development – 6N1942*

•Early Childhood Curriculum (Montessori Theory and Practice) – 6N1944

•Childhood Social Legal and Health Studies – 6N1945

•Work Experience – 6N1946

•Communications – 6N1950 or Personal and Professional Development – 6N1949.

Elective Modules – A minimum of three of the following modules / components must be completed to achieve the full QQI Major Award – 6M2007.

However due to Montessori industry feedback we recommend that a learner completes all four modules as it will provide the learner with all Montessori methods that the industry is looking for. Completing all four incurs no extra cost.

•Early Childhood Literacy & Numeracy (Montessori Maths & Language) – 6N1935

•Early Childhood Arts and Culture (Montessori Culture) – 6N1936

•Early Learning Environment (Montessori Practical Life and Sensorial) – 6N1933

•Early Learning Philosophy (Montessori Method) – 6N1932*.

*Students taking these modules will have to sit an examination (€50.00) that is normally held in Dublin but arrangements can be made in outside centres around the country. This can be paid before exam dates and is not required upon enrolment. This once off exam fee is not covered in the course fee/registration fee.

All participants must have access to a professional and supervised Childcare environment to fulfill the assessment requirements of the course – which is at least 150 hours work experience.

As part of this workplacement candidates will be required to complete skills demonstrations and work experience assessments for the below modules.

•Early Childhood Curriculum
•Early Childhood Literacy & Numeracy
•Early Childhood Arts & Culture
•Early Learning Philosophy
•Early Learning Environment.

Work Placements:

If students are not able to secure a Work Placement or provide Insurance for the duration required please contact us to discuss further as we may be able to assist students with placements and work place insurance in certain circumstances.

The Open College is also registered with the Garda vetting Unit and is in a position to offer students a Garda vetting service. There may be a delay in processing applications with the Garda Vetting Unit due to high demand so we advise you to complete the form on registration.

Expand+Assessments:

•A combination of module appropriate assessment procedures will facilitate the assessment of learning outcomes of the course. These methods will include a combination of final written examinations and continuous assessment processes ...

Hide-Assessments:

•A combination of module appropriate assessment procedures will facilitate the assessment of learning outcomes of the course. These methods will include a combination of final written examinations and continuous assessment processes such as assignments, collection of work, learner records, projects and skills demonstration. All assignments will be designed to maximise the individual participant’s skills in their career development. All work submitted must be your own work.

•As part of our quality assurance, student assessment work will be marked by an Internal Assessor, validated by a Verifier with an independent QQI External Authenticator to complete the process.

Expand+Career Options:
•Montessori Teacher (3-6 Years)
•Montessori Teacher (3-6 Years) – ECCE Setting.

Progression to further Studies:

The course is also structured to provide Childcare Graduates with the opportunity to progress to specialised cours...

Hide-Career Options:
•Montessori Teacher (3-6 Years)
•Montessori Teacher (3-6 Years) – ECCE Setting.

Progression to further Studies:

The course is also structured to provide Childcare Graduates with the opportunity to progress to specialised courses in higher education through the Higher Education Links Scheme (HELs). Academic routes include related degree courses such as:

•Level 7 Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education
•Level 7 Social Care Practice Degree
•Level 8 Bachelor of Social Science
•Level 8 Bachelor of Science in Education & Training Students may be eligible for consideration for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Montessori Education Degree or related option.