Montessori teacher training: your questions answered
The questions we are asked most often, answered properly. If yours is not here, phone the Registrar on 082 896 6162 — we would rather you asked before you enrol anywhere.
College and course questions
Is a Montessori teaching diploma recognised in South Africa?
Yes, when the training provider holds South African accreditation. The College of Modern Montessori's diploma is accredited by the ETDP SETA and leads to the National Diploma in Early Childhood Development Practice — SAQA Qualification ID 64650, Learning Programme 23118, NQF Level 5, 240 credits. That is a South African qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Separately, the College is accredited internationally by MACTE, which governs the quality of the Montessori training itself but is not an NQF registration. Providers offering only a Montessori certificate without SETA or QCTO accreditation do not produce an NQF-registered qualification.
What NQF level is a Montessori diploma?
The College of Modern Montessori's diploma carries NQF Level 5 with 240 credits, under SAQA Qualification ID 64650, which we deliver as Learning Programme 23118 (National Diploma: Early Childhood Development). Some Montessori and ECD courses in South Africa are NQF Level 4 (SAQA ID 97542, 131 credits) instead — a lower level with fewer credits. Always check the SAQA ID on the prospectus rather than the marketing copy, because the level determines what roles you can hold and what you can study next.
What are the entry requirements?
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a matriculation certificate or equivalent, and be interviewed in person by the Director of Studies or the Registrar. Applicants without matric are not automatically excluded — you will be interviewed and assessed to establish whether your educational level is high enough to meet the academic phase of the course, and may be asked to submit an essay setting out your motivation. Grade 12 students awaiting results submit a transcript of their most recent grades, with the certificate to follow on or before orientation. A police clearance certificate no older than six months is required at orientation.
How much does Montessori teacher training cost in South Africa?
At the College of Modern Montessori, the 2027 fees are R73 000 full-time, R63 000 part-time or online, R63 000 for the Lower Elementary (6–9) diploma, and R24 000 for the non-accredited distance course. Accredited courses carry an additional $240 MACTE student registration fee. The course fee includes textbooks, teaching manuals, examinations and certification — there are no separate exam, apparatus or graduation charges. A 5% discount applies to full settlement on or before orientation. Across the wider South African market, accredited Montessori training ranges from roughly R53 000 to R90 000, so compare the total payable rather than the headline figure.
How long does it take to become a Montessori teacher?
The full-time diploma takes 1–2 years — one academic year of lectures and teaching practice plus a six-month research project. The part-time and online routes run over one to two academic years plus the research project, to a maximum of two academic years. The non-accredited distance course allows up to three years, though students who study daily typically finish in twelve to eighteen months.
Can I study Montessori teaching online in South Africa?
Yes, and it carries the same accreditation as studying on campus — MACTE for the Montessori training, the ETDP SETA for the qualification. MACTE's own record lists “more than 50% online” among our accredited delivery modes, and the online course 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. The online diploma costs R63 000 and orientation for 2027 is held online on Monday 2 March. A supervised teaching practicum in a real Montessori classroom is still required regardless of delivery mode, and is arranged near where you live. If you are studying from outside South Africa you may complete the practicum at a Montessori school near you, provided the school is approved by the College first — we check that it is running an authentic Montessori programme before your hours count towards the diploma.
Do I need to already work in a school to do the practicum?
No, but it helps. The College holds Practicum Site Agreements with a selection of approved Montessori schools, and students contact the school they wish to attend to secure a teaching practice post. Many part-time and online students already work as assistants in a Montessori classroom and complete their practicum there. Every student receives at least three field supervisor visits during teaching practice.
What is the difference between MACTE, AMI and SAMA accreditation?
MACTE is the international accreditation body for Montessori teacher education, based in the United States; it accredits the training institution and its programmes. AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) is the organisation founded by Maria Montessori, which affiliates its own training centres directly. SAMA (the South African Montessori Association) is the national member association for Montessori schools and training providers. None of these is a South African qualifications authority — that role belongs to SAQA and the relevant SETA or QCTO. The College holds both MACTE accreditation and ETDP SETA accreditation, which is why its diploma is both internationally recognised as Montessori training and registered on the South African NQF.
Where can I train to teach Montessori at primary school level in South Africa?
The College of Modern Montessori offers a Lower Elementary (6–9 years) Montessori diploma at its Linbro Park campus in Johannesburg. It is accredited by MACTE at Elementary I level through 17 June 2032 and costs R63 000. Entry requires a Montessori 3–6 qualification. This is currently the only MACTE-accredited Elementary Montessori teacher training programme in South Africa.
Is there a closing date for applications?
There is no specific cut-off date for registrations. However, places are strictly limited and applications are no longer accepted once all places have been filled — the full-time course in particular regularly receives more applicants than there are places, because we cap the intake to protect the personal attention between lecturer and student. Where selection becomes necessary, preference goes to applicants who have submitted the application form, the accompanying documentation and the deposit.
Can I pay the course fee off?
Yes. Three options are available: full settlement with a 5% discount; quarterly payments with no interest, in four instalments on 1 March, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November; or monthly payments with 10% interest added to the course fee, in nine instalments from 1 March to 1 November. A deposit is payable on application in every case — R9 000 for the full-time course, R8 000 for part-time and online. Overdue accounts attract a 10% late payment penalty. See the full fee schedule.
Does the College offer financial aid or bursaries?
No. The College of Modern Montessori does not offer financial aid. The instalment options above are the available route for spreading the cost.
What happens if I have to withdraw?
Fees are refunded in full to any applicant not accepted for the course. Once a student has been accepted, no refund is considered — if a student withdraws mid-cycle the place cannot be filled by someone else, so the full course fee remains payable. In the event of pregnancy or illness, postponement may be considered with written confirmation from a medical practitioner; the fees remain payable for the year originally enrolled and a place is reserved for the following academic year.
What jobs can I get with a Montessori teaching diploma?
Our graduates work as Montessori Directors and Directresses in Montessori classrooms, as classroom assistants progressing to lead teachers, and as preschool principals. Many go on to open their own schools — we lecture comprehensively on how to do it, and a large number of our graduates have done exactly that. Schools and childcare agencies around the world approach the College directly for qualified directresses. We are not an employment agency and do not guarantee employment, but we place students in suitable positions wherever we can when vacancies arise.
Is the qualification recognised outside South Africa?
MACTE is an international accrediting body and MACTE-accredited training is recognised by Montessori schools worldwide, which is why schools and agencies in many countries approach the College for graduates. Recognition for formal teacher registration varies country by country and is decided by the education authority in that country, not by the College or by MACTE, so check the specific requirements of the country you are moving to.
What is the difference between a Montessori directress and a conventional teacher?
In Montessori the emphasis is on learning rather than on teaching. The directress prepares and maintains a classroom in which everything is accessible to the child, then makes herself available and responds to the child's needs as they arise, rather than delivering the same lesson to the whole class. She observes and records each child's progress, presents materials individually or in small groups, and steps back so the child can work independently. Read more about the method.
Do you have a campus in KwaZulu-Natal?
Yes. The College has a campus at 9 Anthony Drive, Chelmsfordville, Gillitts, in the Upper Highway area near Hillcrest, telephone 078 006 5289. It has held MACTE accreditation at Early Childhood level since 2011. Our Johannesburg campus is at 119 1st Road, Linbro Park, Sandton.
How big are the classes?
We deliberately limit the intake, particularly on the full-time course, so that the exclusivity of the course and the personal attention between lecturer and student are retained. This is also why places fill and applications close before any formal deadline.
Choosing a course
Which Montessori course should I choose?
If you can study on campus three days a week, the full-time diploma (R73 000) takes 1–2 years and is the fastest accredited route. If you are working, the part-time or online diploma (R63 000) covers the same syllabus over one to two years. If you already hold a Montessori 3–6 qualification and want to teach primary-age children, take the Lower Elementary diploma. If you want to study Montessori for your own understanding without a formal qualification, the distance course is R24 000.
Do all the courses lead to the same qualification?
The full-time, part-time and online routes all lead to the same qualification: the National Diploma in Early Childhood Development Practice (SAQA ID 64650, Learning Programme 23118, NQF Level 5, 240 credits), with MACTE accreditation. The Lower Elementary diploma is a separate MACTE Elementary I qualification for the 6–9 age group. The distance learning course is not accredited and does not lead to a formal qualification.
Can I switch between full-time and part-time?
Postponement of lecture attendance may be considered in the event of pregnancy or illness, with written confirmation from a medical practitioner; in that case the fees remain payable for the year originally enrolled and a place is reserved in the following academic year. For any other change of route, speak to the Registrar before you apply so that we can place you correctly from the start.
Last reviewed 29 July 2026 for the 2027 academic year.