Infant and Toddler (0-3 Diploma)

Course Schedule

We’re bringing blended online learning to our Infant and Toddler (0-3 Diploma) courses! Classes will be in three modules with a graduation date of July 19, 2025:

Module 1: June 10th-July 12th, 2024 In-Person (5 Weeks)
Module 2: November 4th-December 13th, 2024 Online (5 Weeks)
Module 3: June 2nd-July 18th, 2025 In-person (7 Weeks)

If you’re interested in Infant/Toddler training, please request more info or email info@sims-ami.org to make sure we keep in touch about upcoming classes.

A Day in the Life of a SIMS Student

Our current Infant and Toddler (0-3 Diploma) course runs over the course of 14 months with live-streamed classes 4:00pm to 8:00pm MT, and independent online learning taking place between class hours. A typical class with SIMS includes lecture or presentation time with your trainer. Arizona students can arrange time to practice working with new material with fellow students in our practice classroom. Out of state students, we will work with a school local to you to arrange time to practice materials. You’ll be supported by our SIMS trainer and course assistants, as you work closely with fellow students to solidify your knowledge and understanding.

CURRICULUM

So How Does It Work?

Your training will prepare you to lead a Montessori Infant or Toddler classroom. The course includes 650 hours of rigorous teacher preparation. Upon completion of the course, you’ll have a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which is the only internationally-recognized Montessori diploma, and the gold standard in Montessori teacher education.

What You’ll Learn

Areas of study include:

Montessori philosophy
Principles of child development since pregnancy to age three
Medical aspects of the first three years of life
Child Neuropsychiatry
How to bring Montessori into the home
Development of language in the first three years of life
Development of movement in the first three years of life
Music
Art
Practical life exercises to support the child’s independence
Observation Techniques
How to prepare a Montessori environment for children under three

How You’ll Learn

Coursework includes:

Lectures on Montessori philosophy and development of the child in the first three years of life.
Demonstration of the use of scientifically designed Montessori materials for children under three.
Practice with the materials
250 hours of direct and indirect observation of children newborn to three years old
1 week of student teaching under the supervision of an AMI certified teacher
Material making
Written essays related to important aspects of children under three
Based on coursework, you will write teaching reference books, referred to as “albums”, which will serve you throughout your career. Compiling your albums deepens and solidifies your knowledge, preparing you for future work with children.

What You’ll Get

Upon completion, you’ll have:

An AMI Montessori diploma, certifying you to educate children aged 0 to 3 using the Montessori pedagogy
An internationally-recognized and highly in-demand credential
The confidence and expertise you need to successfully direct your own classroom

NOTE: SPANISH OPTION AVAILABLE!
Our SIMS A to I trainer is fluent in Spanish. Typically the course is delivered in English, but students can ask questions, complete course work (including albums), and complete written examinations in Spanish.

* A basic level of computer literacy is helpful in composing albums.

† Additionally, translation may be arranged if a large cohort of Chinese-speakers are registered for the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my AMI diploma be accepted in other countries?

Yes! Your AMI diploma is the gold standard in Montessori education, and is the only internationally-recognized Montessori teacher training available. Schools around the world seek out and hire AMI-trained Montessori teachers.

Is a bachelor’s degree required to enroll in the training?

No. Our goal is that every person who starts our course will complete it successfully. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, we’ll interview you to ensure that you are prepared to be successful in the course before you are accepted. If you have questions about this before your interview, please talk with us in person and we can advise you on your specific situation.

Can you guarantee a job placement upon completion of the course?

A job placement is not guaranteed upon completion of the course, but all graduates of our previous courses have found a position in a Montessori in the September following their graduation. We arrange job fairs, schedule your observations and practice teaching at schools that may be a good fit (when possible), and receive job postings from schools all year long, which are shared with our students. Since AMI-trained Montessori teachers are in high demand, our students typically end up in jobs they love!

Are there scholarships available?

Yes! Several scholarships are available through SIMS, and others are available externally. We encourage you to apply for these, and to look into other scholarships as well. Follow this link to see more about the scholarships we are aware of.

Is there such a thing as a Master’s degree in Montessori?

Yes! SIMS partners with Loyola University Maryland to offer a Master’s degree program. You would attend Loyola after you have completed your 0-3 certification with SIMS, but the program can not be concurrently at this time. To find out more, attend one of our information sessions or follow this link.

What is the average income of an AMI-trained Montessori teacher?

Income varies by area, experience, school size, and education level. This AMI Salary inventory will give you insight into the variables that apply to you.

What is the typical career path of a Montessori teacher?

A career in Montessori can follow many different pathways. Whether you are a student just completing college, a teacher feeling disillusioned with traditional education, a mom who has been inspired by your child’s Montessori experience, an assistant in a Montessori classroom ready to make the leap, or someone who has just discovered Montessori and knows it’s for you, there is a place for you in this rapidly-growing field. Montessori teachers may start their own schools, take positions in public, private, or charter Montessori schools, start a day home or small school in their own home, or use their knowledge of Montessori to support them as counsellors, occupational therapists, or school administrators. Where you take your Montessori diploma is up to you!