Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Aperfield Montessori)

Summary

You will gain skills and understanding of the holistic, child-led learning practices and philosophy of Aperfield Montessori. This Level 5 programme is designed for all qualified and unqualified early childhood and primary teachers, carers, psychologists and other professionals who want to enrich their practice, career and knowledge. In addition, the Montessori teacher training course provides a strong foundation in child well-being, learning and development in the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand. Qualified ECE teachers may gain credit for prior learning.

The Aperfield Montessori Method

This method of education is a holistic approach based on a lifetime of observation and study by Dr Maria Montessori.

Te Rito Maioha worked closely with the Aperfield Montessori Trust to develop this specific programme with courses taught by experienced Montessori-trained teachers.

We offer all our students a strong support network including access to an online lecturer and to learning support. We also encourage students to take full advantage of our 11 teaching bases, where support is available from local academic staff.

Programme delivery

Four 30-credit courses are taught over a 1-year period through a combination of online and face-to-face learning. There is also the option to study the programme part-time over 2 years.

Two of the courses will be taught concurrently in Semester 1 with the remaining two taught concurrently in Semester 2.

If you are a qualified ECE teacher, you may be eligible for credit for prior learning, which would reduce the programme to 6 months.

Completion of our Level 5 Aperfield Montessori programme may provide a pathway into our Level 7 Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) initial teacher education programme and the opportunity to further your early childhood career.

Blended learning

Our blended learning approach combines online learning with face-to-face block courses or noho marae. It is flexible and means that you can study from anywhere in New Zealand.

You will study online using the latest pedagogical approaches and techniques. You will engage in learning online with lecturers and other students as well as at the face-to-face block courses or noho marae in one of our 11 regional bases.

Our lecturers will support, guide and empower you throughout your programme. Other students will also play a supportive role in your success.

Field-based learning

Many of our programmes have field-based study requirements, which means that you need to be working or volunteering in an education setting for a set period of time. This requirement enables you to study and work at the same time and immediately put what you learn into practice in an education setting.