Internationally accredited and NQF registered
The College of Modern Montessori holds two separate accreditations: MACTE, the international accreditation body for Montessori teacher education, held continuously since 1995; and ETDP SETA, the South African authority that makes our diploma a nationally registered qualification. Very few Montessori training providers in South Africa hold both.
MACTE — international Montessori accreditation
The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education is an autonomous, international, non-profit accrediting agency for Montessori teacher education programmes. The MACTE Commission is based in the United States and is the premier internationally recognised standard-setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education.
| Programme | Campus | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood | Linbro Park, Sandton | Full accreditation, held since 1995. Renewal in progress; good standing. |
| Early Childhood | Gillitts, KwaZulu-Natal | Full accreditation, held since 2011. Renewal in progress; good standing. |
| Elementary I | Linbro Park, Sandton | Full accreditation through 17 June 2032. |
Accredited delivery modes. MACTE's record lists both “more than 50% online” and “more than 90% in-person” delivery against our campuses, which is why the online diploma carries exactly the same accreditation as the on-campus one. What we accredit and what we currently run are not the same list: the online course is run from Johannesburg, and Gillitts offers the part-time course. MACTE requires a minimum number of face-to-face hours, so every online student attends an in-house block in person — Johannesburg in November, or Cape Town in June and September.
Pass rate. MACTE-accredited programmes must maintain a minimum pass rate threshold of 70%. Our full-time course runs between 73% and 82%; the part-time course between 71% and 76%.
Verify it yourself
MACTE publishes its accredited programmes publicly. Our own entry is here: the College of Modern Montessori's MACTE programme record — it lists both campuses, the accredited levels and the accreditation terms, and it is maintained by MACTE, not by us. The MACTE Commission can be contacted at 420 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, VA 22902, USA.
ETDP SETA — the South African qualification
The ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority) promotes and facilitates education, training and development in the ETD sector. Its ETQA unit is formally accredited by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority) under the SAQA Act, Act 58 of 1995.
The College of Modern Montessori is accredited by the ETDP SETA to offer:
| Qualification | National Diploma: Early Childhood Development |
|---|---|
| SAQA Qualification ID | 64650 |
| Learning Programme ID | 23118 — the ETDP SETA programme through which we deliver it |
| NQF Level | Level 5 |
| Credit value | 240 credits |
After a verification audit, the ETDP SETA issues each graduate with a Statement of Results. This is issued once the six-month research project has been submitted — mid-year of the year following enrolment.
Verify it yourself
SAQA maintains the national register of qualifications and it is open to anyone. Look up SAQA Qualification 64650, scroll to the accredited providers listed under Learning Programme 23118, and you will find The College of Modern Montessori among them. Please check it — and check any other provider you are considering the same way.
MACTE, AMI, SAMA, SETA — what each one actually does
This is the single most confusing area for prospective Montessori students in South Africa, so here it is plainly.
| Body | What it is | What it accredits |
|---|---|---|
| MACTE | Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (USA) | The training institution and its Montessori programmes, internationally |
| AMI | Association Montessori Internationale, founded by Maria Montessori | Its own affiliated training centres |
| SAMA | South African Montessori Association | A national member association for Montessori schools and training providers — not a qualifications authority |
| ETDP SETA / QCTO | South African statutory education authorities | Qualifications registered on the NQF, each with a SAQA ID |
| SAQA | South African Qualifications Authority | Maintains the NQF and the national register of qualifications |
The practical point
MACTE and AMI accreditation tell you the Montessori training is genuine and meets international standards. SETA or QCTO accreditation tells you the qualification is recognised in South Africa. They are not substitutes for one another, and a serious provider should be able to satisfy both. Before you enrol anywhere — with us or with anyone else — ask two questions: what is the SAQA ID of the qualification I will receive, and who accredits the Montessori component.
Frequently asked questions about accreditation
Why do I see both SAQA ID 64650 and Programme ID 23118 for the National Diploma in Early Childhood Development?
Both numbers are correct, but they refer to different parts of the South African qualification framework.
SAQA Qualification ID 64650 is the overarching registered National Diploma: Early Childhood Development, an NQF Level 5 qualification consisting of 240 credits.
Learning Programme ID 23118 is the specific ETDP SETA learning programme recorded against SAQA Qualification 64650, through which The College of Modern Montessori is accredited to deliver the National Diploma.
In simple terms:
- 64650 — the SAQA Qualification ID
- 23118 — the Learning Programme ID through which CMM delivers the qualification
The SAQA database lists The College of Modern Montessori as an accredited provider of Learning Programme 23118, which sits under SAQA Qualification 64650. For this reason CMM documentation may refer to National Diploma: Early Childhood Development – Learning Programme ID 23118, while the SAQA website displays the overarching Qualification ID 64650. Check SAQA Qualification 64650 and its accredited providers.
Is a Montessori diploma from the College of Modern Montessori recognised in South Africa?
Yes. Our accredited diplomas are accredited by the ETDP SETA and lead to the National Diploma: Early Childhood Development — SAQA Qualification ID 64650, NQF Level 5, 240 credits, which we deliver as ETDP SETA Learning Programme 23118. That is a South African qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Montessori certificates issued by providers without SETA or QCTO accreditation are not NQF-registered, whatever international Montessori accreditation they hold.
What is the difference between MACTE and ETDP SETA accreditation?
They answer different questions. MACTE is the international accreditation council for Montessori teacher education, based in the United States; it accredits the institution and confirms the Montessori training itself meets international standards. ETDP SETA is a South African statutory authority; its accreditation is what makes the qualification NQF-registered and recognised for employment in South Africa. MACTE accreditation on its own does not put a qualification on the NQF. The College holds both.
Is your online course accredited too?
Yes, and it is accredited twice over — by MACTE for the Montessori training and by the ETDP SETA for the qualification. MACTE's public record lists “more than 50% online” among our accredited delivery modes; the online course itself is run from Johannesburg. MACTE requires a minimum number of face-to-face hours, so every online student attends an in-house block in person — Johannesburg in November, or Cape Town in June and September. Online students graduate with the same diploma, transcript and MACTE certification as on-campus students.
How can I verify your accreditation independently?
Please do, and without taking our word for any of it. MACTE publishes the College of Modern Montessori's programme record, listing both campuses, the accredited levels and the accreditation terms. SAQA publishes Qualification 64650, whose list of accredited providers for Learning Programme 23118 includes The College of Modern Montessori. We encourage every prospective student to check both before enrolling anywhere — with us or with anyone else.
Accreditation details last reviewed 29 July 2026.