Full-Time Montessori Teacher Training Diploma
The fastest accredited route to a Montessori qualification: one academic year of lectures and teaching practice plus a six-month research project. R73 000, starting 1 March 2027 at our Linbro Park campus in Sandton.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 2027 course fee | R73 000 + $240 MACTE student registration fee |
| Deposit | R9 000 on submission of the application form |
| Age group | Early childhood: 2½ to 6 years |
| Duration | One academic year + 6-month research project (maximum two academic years) |
| Lectures | Three per week — Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 08:30–14:30, during private school terms |
| Teaching practice | Wednesdays and Fridays, plus one practical block week at the end of each subject area (every 4–6 weeks) |
| Contact hours | Minimum 390 hours of on-site instructor contact |
| Practicum | 276 hours teaching practice + 60 hours observation (10 days) + minimum 450 hours independent study |
| Campus | The College of Modern Montessori, 119 1st Road, Linbro Park, Sandton |
| Accreditation | MACTE (Early Childhood) and ETDP SETA |
| Qualification | National Diploma in Early Childhood Development Practice — SAQA ID 64650, Learning Programme 23118, NQF Level 5, 240 credits |
| Pass rate | 73%–82% (MACTE requires a minimum threshold of 70%) |
| Work load | Expect around three hours per day of independent study over and above scheduled hours |
2027 academic calendar
Lectures are held during private school terms. Our term dates follow the ISASA / SAHISA Central Region three-term calendar for 2027.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Monday 1 March 2027, 09:00–12:00 at Linbro Park. The first lecture follows directly and ends at 14:30. |
| Term 1 | Monday 1 March – Friday 9 April 2027 |
| Term 2 | Wednesday 5 May – Friday 6 August 2027 Half term: closes Friday 25 June, returns Monday 5 July |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 7 September – Friday 29 October 2027 Half term: closes Thursday 21 October at 12h00, returns Tuesday 26 October |
| Theory examination | Sunday 21 November 2027 |
| Practical examinations | 26–30 November 2027 — each student is allocated a one-hour slot across these days |
Public holidays falling in term time
Sunday 21 March (Human Rights Day) and Monday 22 March (school holiday) · Friday 26 to Monday 29 March (Easter) · Wednesday 16 June (Youth Day) · Friday 24 September (Heritage Day).
Term dates align with the ISASA / SAHISA Central Region 2027 calendar (updated October 2025). Examination dates are set by the College.
What happens at orientation
You receive a short lecture on what to expect and how to prepare; the academic faculty, management team and administrative staff are introduced; outstanding administration is finalised (original application, contact details, outstanding fees, and a police clearance no older than six months); academic schedules for the full year are handed out; and a class list is circulated so students living near one another can arrange lifts. Drinks and snacks are served so the group can meet properly before lectures begin.
Admission requirements
To enrol on an accredited Montessori diploma at the College of Modern Montessori 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 a matric certificate are not automatically excluded. You will be interviewed to determine possible exemption, and assessed to establish whether your educational level is high enough to meet the academic phase of the course. You may be asked to submit an essay setting out why you want a career in Montessori education.
- Students currently in Grade 12, or awaiting results, submit a transcript of their most recent grades with the application form. The matric certificate must be submitted on or before orientation.
- A police clearance certificate no older than six months is required at orientation.
- Your motivation, commitment and determination to become a Montessori directress are taken into account.
How to apply
- Enquire by telephone or email and we will send you the prospectus and application form.
- Book an appointment with the Director of Studies or Registrar — we will walk you through the course in detail, give you a tour of the College and School, and interview you.
- Return the application form, admission documentation, photographs and proof of payment of the deposit. You may email a scanned copy to speed things up, but the original must be submitted before orientation.
- Acceptance and your date of commencement are confirmed in writing.
There is no fixed registration closing date, but places are limited and applications close once all places are filled. Where applicants exceed places, preference goes to those who have submitted the form, the documentation and the deposit.
Fees and payment options
The 2027 course fee is R73 000, plus a $240 MACTE student registration fee due prior to 18 March 2027. A deposit of R9 000 is payable on submission of the application form. The course fee includes textbooks in eBook format, teaching manuals, examinations and certification.
| Option | Total payable | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Full settlement 5% discount | R69 350 saving R3 650 | R9 000 deposit on application, then R60 350 on or before orientation by EFT, direct deposit or cash. The discount applies only if settled in full on or before orientation, and does not apply to credit card payments. |
| Quarterly no interest | R73 000 | R9 000 deposit on application, then R64 000 in four instalments of R16 000 on 1 March, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November. |
| Monthly 10% interest | R80 300 | R9 000 deposit on application, then R71 300 in nine monthly instalments by recurring EFT, dated 1 March to 1 November. |
Overdue accounts are subject to a 10% late payment penalty. Fees can be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), in which case the 5% full-settlement discount does not apply. The College does not offer financial aid.
Refunds
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, 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; fees remain payable for the year originally enrolled and a place is reserved for the following academic year.
What you graduate with
Graduates receive a diploma, an academic transcript, copies of the MACTE accreditation certification, and an ETDP SETA ‘Statement of Results’. The transcript records your academic clock hours, subject averages, practical and theory examination grades, overall course grade, and your total observation, teaching practice and independent study hours.
You are eligible for the diploma once you have attended 90% of scheduled lectures, completed all course work at a 60% average, completed all scheduled practical teaching hours and ten days (60 hours) of classroom observation, passed both final examinations at 60% or above, and settled all fees.
The ETDP SETA Statement of Results is issued after a verification audit, and only once the six-month research project has been submitted — mid-year of the year following enrolment.
Apply for 2027
Questions? Speak to Adam Darby (Registrar) on 082 896 6162 or Olivia Darby (Director of Studies) on 082 375 7536, or email modmont@global.co.za.