The Intensive Bridging Programme is aimed at existing Early Years Or Montessori Degree Holders with an interest in SEN Teaching in Ireland.
IMPORTANT NOTE
TEACHING COUNCIL REGISTRATION
WARNING! - The Deadline for registration with the Teaching Council under Route 4 is December 2023. The final iteration of the B.A. (Hons) will begin in Sep 22 and end in June 2023. This will be the very last iteration of the B.A. (Hons). There is no scope for registration with the Teaching Council if the B.A. Hons is not completed in 2023. If you begin the B.A. (hons) and, for whatever reason, e.g. illness or pregnancy, cannot complete the programme in 2023, you will not be able to register with the Teaching Council.
Qualification
Duration
19 March Start
Mode of Study
(Friday evenings and Saturdays)
Applications
Level 8 Early Years degree holders via Direct Application
Location
Cork
Fees
Instalment Plans available
Programme Information
The Montessori Bridging Programme is a Continuing Professional Development programme for graduates of Early Years and other relevant education degrees who are seeking to learn about Montessori Education, Philosophy and Methodologies. It is a one semester course comprising of lectures, tutorials and significant independent study. Learners will complete an end of programme assessment which they must pass in order to be able to apply to the Level 8 BA Honours in Montessori Education at SNMCI. Please read the warning above regarding Teaching Council Registration under route 4.
In addition, learners must complete a School Placement module with 4 weeks of scheduled school placement periods, comprised as follows:
- 1 week of observation in a special education setting
- 3 weeks block in a primary setting with pupils ages 6 to 9
Learners are assigned tutors at the beginning of the course and the course is managed by a Programme Director.
Mode of Study
Programmes are delivered in our Dun Laoghaire and Cork campuses. Some modules or parts of modules may also be delivered online via web conferencing, or live lectures online. The programme may also be delivered from our Cork campus subject to numbers.
Placement takes place each year and this can be arranged in schools throughout the country (additional fees may apply for placements in settings outside a 50km radius of Dun Laoghaire or Cork, respective to your campus location).
Part Time
The part-time programme runs in the Friday evenings and Saturdays. Attendance is mandatory for this programme.
Applicants to the Montessori Briding Programme are required to hold an Early Years Education degree (Level 7 or Level 8) or other relevant education degree at Level 7 or Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Certificate Overview
Birth to 6: Montessori Infancy
The objectives of the infancy bridging module are to introduce the learner to the knowledge and practical skills required to meet the physical care needs of infants and toddlers in ECEC environments, in particular Montessori environments, identifying key concepts of Montessori philosophy such as the prepared environment, freedom, the role of the adult, active learning, sensory experiences and language and communication.
Birth to 6: Montessori Emergent Curriculum
The objectives of this module are to provide the learner with detailed knowledge of Montessori theory and methodology for Practical Life, Sensorial Education, Language, Mathematics and Culture (History/Geography/Science/Nature). The module expands on learners’ knowledge of Montessori theory, introduced in the infancy module, and focuses on concepts relevant to the child up to 6 years.
Birth to 6: Montessori Philosophy
The objective of this module is to investigate a range of other early years’ philosophies and to compare and contrast them with Montessori philosophy, to allow learners to critique Montessori Education and to see its place in the history of child centred pedagogy.
The Older Child: Montessori Curriculum & Competence
This module seeks to promote effective teaching and learning across educational settings for the child 6 to 12 years, enabling learners to work confidently and competently with Montessori materials to include the PSC and Montessori curricula. The module will prepare the learner to create and implement educational activities suitable to the holistic development of the child. In particular, it will develop in the learner detailed knowledge of the Montessori curriculum and how it integrates with the PSC. This module is closely linked with the School Placement module.
The Older Child: Montessori & Educational Philosophy
This module provides learners with a thorough grounding of Montessori’s theory for the child from six to twelve years and in particular, examines the concept and ethodology of Cosmic Education. The module will also investigate the philosophical concepts underpinning the Primary School Curriculum (PSC) such as those of Bruner, Dewey, Chomsky and Vygotsky.
The Older Child: Special Education & Differentiation
This module will support the learner’s knowledge in Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD and self-regulatory difficulties. It will address access to the curriculum through models of differentiation. Learners will examine differentiating instruction through the Montessori Method and the didactic materials
Part time fees = € 2,250
A €500 non-refundable deposit is payable to secure a place. The deposit will be deducted from the fees.
(Should the programme not be delivered by the College, then all fees will be returned)
Instalment plans are available.
Please apply for the Intensive Bridging Programme using the RPL section within the Application Form. a €50 fee applies.
Please be sure to submit evidence of your existing Level 7+ Early Years or Montessori degree within your application.
For further information contact info@smsi.ie Please state the name and location of the course you are seeking information on in the subject of the email.
International Applications
It is unlikley that international applicants will be eligible for this programme. However, if you believe you are eligible, please register your interest and we will be in touch with next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course recognized by the Teaching Council?
No, this course is not recognised by the Teaching Council under Route 4. However, this is an entry point to the Level 8 BA Honours which is the course recognised by the Teaching Council. Those with Early Years or Montessori degrees can apply for the Bridging Programme until Spring 2021.
Do I have to complete the Level 8 BA Honours course?
In order to receive Teaching Council recognition to work in Special Education settings, students must complete and graduate from the Level 8 BA Honours (once completing the Bridging Programme).
Can I apply for Advanced Entry or Exemptions?
No. Exemptions and Advanced entry are not allowed within this course.
Can I apply for the SUSI Grant with this course?
No. This programme is not eligible for SUSI grant funding, but the Full Time Level 8 BA Honours course thereafter does recognise the SUSI Grant. For students paying their own fees, instalment plans are available and tax relief is available for tax payers (including parents of students).
Are there any assessments within the Bridging Programme?
In past programmes, students were asked to complete the following assessments: Presentation, a Teaching and learning portfolio and Montessori Maths and Language Lesson Plans and 2 short questions. Due to COVID-19, this is susceptible to change to fit the needs of the students and/or faculty.
Why St Nicholas Montessori College?
We have been preparing Ireland’s leading Montessori teachers and early years practitioners since 1970. We are accredited by QQI and we are a founder member of the Irish Montessori Education Board (IMEB) and of the Higher Education College Association (HECA).
Jennifer Brush is the leading expert in Montessori Ageing and Dementia research and practice. We have worked closely with Jennifer Brush in the creation of both the workshop and the course.