New Course, Blended Format!

 

Kia ora Koutou MMEF Supporters,

It was uplifting and heartwarming to see many of you in Rotorua recently at the annual Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand Conference. Entitled Manaakitanga and Montessori ~ Nurturing Relationships and Caring for One Another, thanks to meticulous planning, there was truly something for everyone! 

Dynamic speakers, regulatory clarifications, and new learning to reflect on with colleagues and friends during the convivial breaks. What was abundantly clear was our need for face-to-face social interactions and collaboration;)

New AMI Course! 

Following your feedback, MMEF is pleased to introduce the new AMI 3-6 Diploma via Blended Delivery Format, starting in April 2026 and running through October 2027. This course will combine online learning with irreplaceable in-person modules in Auckland. Join us online and hear all about the course at our next Information Evening on Tuesday, 15th July ~ 7.00p.m.  MMEF alumni will also join us to share their tips and strategies for achieving study success.

Email mmefnz@outlook.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom details, or stay informed via the MMEF Facebook page. 

See the new 3-6 Diploma Course dates here and download the MMEF Information Pack here. We're excited to introduce new, accessible opportunities to our Montessori community. 

2025 ONLINE Professional Learning - Enrolments Now Open!

AMI 3-6 Orientation Certificate~August 19th–September 18th 

Register before July 25th for the early bird discount. Evenings to suit those working with 3-6 Trainer Carol Potts. 

AMI 0-3 Orientation Certificate~September 16th-October 9th 

Register before August 22nd for the early bird discount. Evenings and Saturday mornings, also to suit those working with the 0-3 Training faculty, Julia Hilson and Carli Hausler.

The renowned AMI Orientation Certificates Courses offer an in-depth overview of Montessori Principles, sprinkled with practical applications and current research. Perfectly suited for those ECE-qualified and working in a Montessori environment, as well as parents and professionals seeking a loving, respectful, and profound approach to child development. For details on these MMEF courses and to register online, click here.

The Creative Potential of the Young Child and Order- 0-3 Years ~ 6th September @ 4.00-6.00p.m. 
MANZ/MMEF are delighted that 0-3 AMI trainer, Kavya Chandrasekhar has creatively woven this online workshop to align with the Indian time zone. Consider it like a pre-dinner cocktail of ideas! Please register here.

Training Centre Venue - Do You Know of Premises for Rent?

Many of you heard of the fire at the venue of the AMI Training Centre earlier this year. We are safe, our materials are safe; however, we now seek approximately 120 square metres to establish the 3-6 Prepared Training Environment and student facilities. Our dream is to have a permanent home to facilitate the myriad of community, parent & kaiārahi/guide events that could be offered. Do you have space available, or do you know of any nearby facilities, schools, or rental buildings that we could approach? Sadly, Community Halls are not eligible due to the high frequency of their weekly users. Please contact mmefnz@outlook.com or call Carol on 021 111 4133 with any potential leads. 

As always, we welcome your suggestions, ideas, and comments.

Ngā manaakitanga/take care,

Maria Montessori Education Foundation

 

 Kia Ora Koutou MMEF Friends & Supporters,

Over the last six months, we have been thinking strategically about our goals as an organisation and how best to navigate the ever-changing educational, economic, and social landscape in which we operate.  MMEF has successfully offered five 3-6 Montessori Diploma courses and is planning our sixth 3-6 Diploma programme, scheduled to commence in 2026. Further details will be announced later in May.

Our 0-3 Trainer in Training, Carli Hausler, is also on the final stretch of training. Therefore, the future for AMI training and related courses and workshops in Aotearoa looks ever brighter!

MMEF has consulted widely with you, our Montessori community, and stakeholders, regarding the impact of moving our qualification away from the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. We're extremely grateful for the feedback we've received, including from our Alumni, Montessori schools and centers, as well as our international colleagues. It has been significant in our deliberations and decision-making. 

As you may be aware, since the COVID-19 pandemic, many AMI training organisations have transitioned to offering partly online formats (blended), enabling wider access for those seeking a quality Montessori qualification while reducing time away from their families and paid work. 

MMEF has decided, therefore, that our time and energy will be better spent rewriting our Diploma programmes to offer more flexible learning programmes. Thus, we will move away from the ongoing costs, restrictions, and compliance requirements of NZQA.  

We are also confident that our robust systems and processes, already in place with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), our international quality assurance body, will enable us to continue offering world-class courses for our learners. 

MMEF PLD Opportunities in 2025

It was wonderful to see those of you who zoomed in for the Montessori 101 series, and just last week for The Art of Engagement workshop. Both events reached close to 80 attendees - we were delighted! And there's more... please add the following PLD dates to your diaries:

ONLINE Workshop - The Creative Potential of the Young Child and Order- 0-3 Years ~ 6th September @ 4.00-6.00p.m.

MANZ/MMEF are delighted that 0-3 AMI trainer, Kavya Chandrasekhar has creatively woven this workshop to align with the Indian time zone. Consider it like a pre-dinner cocktail of ideas! As Kavya astutely notes,

“The child from birth seeks consistency in the environment to build an understanding of life that is unfolding. During the first three years of life, the infant’s needs are shifting and changing due to the acquisition of movement capabilities and language. As educators and parents, a nuanced understanding of the child’s need for order during the first three years of life is essential to support optimal development." Please register here.

ONLINE Course ~ AMI 3-6 Orientation Certificate – August 19th – September 18th. Evenings to suit those working. 3-6 Trainer Carol Potts.

ONLINE Course ~ AMI 0-3 Orientation Certificate – September 16th – October 9th. Evenings & Saturday mornings to suit those working. 0-3 Training faculty ~ Julia Hilson & Carli Hausler.

The AMI Orientation Certificates Courses offer an in-depth overview of Montessori Principles, sprinkled with practical applications and current research. Perfectly suited for those ECE-qualified and working in a Montessori environment, as well as parents and professionals seeking a loving, respectful, and profound approach to child development. For details on MMEF courses, click here.

We look forward to connecting, communicating, and collaborating with you throughout the year.

As always, your suggestions, ideas, and comments are welcome.

Ngā manaakitanga/take care,

Maria Montessori Education Foundation