Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Montessori Pedagogy

What you will learn

1. Unit 1 - Activities of Everyday Living in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • Role modelling in the activities of everyday living
   • How activities of everyday living establish a foundation for other areas of learning
   • How activities of everyday living contribute to the development of the whole child
   • Design activities of everyday living
   • Approaches to managing risk in the activities of everyday living
   • Contribute to a healthy environment using the activities of everyday living
   • Classroom etiquette

2. Unit 2 - Literacy in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • The different developmental stages in literacy
   • Non-literacy activities which support developing literacy skills
   • The role of the educator in developing children’s literacy skills
   • Activities to prepare the child for literacy
   • The sequential process for developing literacy and grammar skills
   • Introducing literacy to young children
   • Design activities that develop children’s literacy
   • Plan activities to support growing literacy skills, including for a child in need of additional support

3. Unit 3 - Study Skills
   • Organising own learning process
   • Referencing sourced information
   • Participation in the peer feedback process

4. Unit 4 - Education of the Senses in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • Activities that support education of the senses
   • Describe how sensorial education supports other areas of learning
   • Introducing activities in sensorial education
   • Plan sensorial education for babies and young children

5. Unit 5 - Knowledge and Understanding of the World in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • The Principle of Cosmic Education
   • The Montessori approach to developing a child’s understanding of the world
   • Activities that encourage the development of a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world
   • How knowledge and understanding of the world contribute to child development
   • Design activities to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

6. Unit 6 - The Montessori Philosophy
   • Montessori’s principles of the early child development phases
   • Key Montessori terms relating to early child development
   • The concept of the favourable environment
   • Essential qualities of the Montessori educator
   • Principles of teacher non-interference and observation
   • The Montessori approach to fostering a positive learning environment

7. Unit 7 - Creativity in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • The role of creativity and creative thinking across the curriculum
   • Specific areas and aspects of the creative curriculum
   • How to organise the learning environment to facilitate creative activities
   • The role of the educator in working creatively with children
   • Plan activities that develop creative potential

8. Unit 8 - Principles of Child Development and Observation in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
   • Outline key developmental stages of child development
   • Outline key theories of child development
   • Supporting the wellbeing of a child through transitions and significant events
   • Describe how play can support children’s holistic development
   • The role of the Montessori educator and the favourable environment in supporting play
   • Select an appropriate method and aim for child observation
   • Using child development theory to inform and interpret results of child observation

9. Unit 9 - Developing Own Montessori Practice in Professional Placement
   • Respect and sensitivity towards others in a Montessori early years setting
   • Effective communication skills
   • Responsiveness to the dynamics of a Montessori early years learning environment
   • Plan and lead activities to support children’s learning and development
   • use child developmental theory to facilitate learning
   • Facilitate group learning
   • carry out the teaching cycle of observe, plan, implement, reflect on and assess learning
   • Promote the child’s well-being including awareness of health and safety
   • Carrying out a risk assessment
   • Accurate recordkeeping in a Montessori early years setting
   • Positive role-modelling of self-awareness

10. Unit 10 - Contemporary Early Childhood Practice in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
    • Promoting diversity, equality and inclusion in the context of Montessori early years education
    • Reflect on your own role in promoting diversity, equality and inclusion
    • Identify when a child is in need of additional support
    • Working in partnership with others to support children with additional needs
    • The role of the key person in the Montessori early years
    • The potential effects of transitions and significant events
    • The role of the educator in the context of partnerships with others
    • Identify opportunities for working in partnership with others to promote learning and development

11. Unit 11 - Developing Own Montessori Principles in Professional Placement
    • Use reflective practice to identify goals for personal and professional development
    • Use continuing professional development to improve own skills, practice, and subject knowledge
    • Use reflective practice to support own learning
    • Reflect on aspects of Montessori vision and purpose which inspire own practice
    • Consider aspects of own educational practice which could be developed further

12. Unit 12 - Promoting Children's Health and Wellbeing in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
    • Health and well-being in early childhood
    • Factors that affect children’s health and well-being
    • The effects of poor health and well-being on young children
    • How children’s health and well-being can be supported
    • Prevention and control of infection
    • Responding to accidents and emergency situations
    • Legal requirements that support the welfare and safety of children
    • The responsibilities of the Montessori early years practitioner in supporting the welfare and safety of children
    • Safeguarding policies and procedures
    • Identify ways to recognise if a child is at risk of abuse
    • Manage risk in the Montessori early years setting

13. Unit 13 - Numeracy and Arithmetic in an Early Years Montessori Learning Environment
    • The ‘mathematical mind’
    • Developing a child’s understanding of numeracy and arithmetic
    • Strategies that support children’s developing understanding
    • How numeracy and arithmetic activities contribute to children’s learning
    • Introduce activities which develop the child’s understanding of numeracy and arithmetic
    • Design activities to develop understanding, including for children with additional needs

Awarding Body

CACHE stands for the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education, and are the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for the Care and Education Sector.

View our other Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education qualifications.

Recognised through UCAS

This qualification has been allocated UCAS points. Please refer to the UCAS website for further details of the points allocation and the most up-to-date information.

Course Outcome

Upon the successful completion of this Level 3 Diploma, you will be able to then progress onto the Level 4 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy. A Level 3 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy enables you to progress directly to work in a Montessori Early Years setting.

You’ll learn the crucial skills for working in early years education, how to react to emergency situations and follow safeguarding policies, all while building your own approach to working in early years learning.

By studying this unique course with Oxbridge, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the Montessori method of education, how it provides the springboard for development, and how you as the educator can facilitate this learning experience.

How is this course assessed or examined?

You will be required to complete regular in-person observations, conducted by an Oxbridge Assessor. These will focus on a particular set of criteria, which you will need to demonstrate full competence in, and pass all mandatory units at 100%.

In addition, you will be required to create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates your achievement of 100% of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each assignment. Written assignments and reflective records will also need to be produced alongside practical evidence from your placement.

Your placement will comprise of 400 hours in an approved Montessori Early Years setting.

Entry requirements

The minimum study age for this NCFE Cache Level 3 Diploma In Montessori Pedagogy is 16.

This qualification requires you to be able to access an approved Montessori setting, in order to complete a mandatory minimum 400 hours workplace experience.