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Are you an educator passionate about the Montessori method? Are you planning to join a teacher training program to start the journey into this dream? An increasing number of parents are turning to Montessori education for their young children. So, it is quite certain that the demand for teachers who have professional qualifications in the said field will also increase. But we cannot just join a random course. In this blog, we will discuss 5 things to consider before starting Montessori teacher training.
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Things to Consider Before Starting Montessori Teacher Training: Introduction
As we discussed above, many parents, especially in urban settings prefer schools that follow the Montessori method instead of traditional early childhood education. So, if you are passionate about the Montessori method, then this is a good time to join a course that would help you achieve that dream. But there are certain things that need to be considered before joining a Montessori Teacher Training course. Some of them are discussed in this blog.
What is Montessori Teacher Training?
1: What is the primary focus of the first plane of development in the Montessori method?
Before looking for a course, you should know what Montessori Teacher Training is. Since you are looking for a course, you must have some preliminary idea about the Montessori method and Montessori Teacher Training. The Montessori teaching method is a child-centric approach founded by Dr. Maria Montessori. Montessori Teacher Training is a certificate programme that makes an educator suitable to be a mentor in a Montessori classroom. What makes the Montessori method different from other teaching methods is their emphasis on the following factors:
- Independent learning
- Self-discipline
- Holistic development
Nowadays this method is becoming more and more popular among educators, preschool operators, and even parents as a better method for early childhood education. Various levels of Montessori classes are mentioned in the table below.
| Montessori Level | Age Group | Popularity in India | Key Focus Areas |
| Infant and Toddler | 0–3 years | Gaining interest, especially in urban daycares | · Early developmental needs
· Bonding · Sensory exploration · Basic motor skills |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary) | 3–6 years | Most popular across metros and Tier 2 cities | · Language
· Numbers · Independence · sensory-based learning · Daily life skills |
| Lower and Upper Elementary | 6–12 years | Emerging gradually in premium institutions | · Abstract thinking
· Moral development · Reasoning · Project-based and collaborative work |
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Join Now!5 Things to Consider Before Starting Montessori Teacher Training
In this section, we will look into the various things to consider before starting Montessori teacher training.
Understand the Montessori Philosophy
The first and foremost thing to do before considering joining a Montessori teacher training program is to understand the Montessori philosophy. You have to do your research and reflect on whether this teaching method is on par with your ideals about education. Given below is a brief capsule to give you a basic understanding of core Montessori principles.
| Principle | Key Points |
| Child-Led Learning | · Children pick what they want to learn.
· Builds focus and intrinsic motivation. |
| Supportive Environment | · Classrooms are neat, open, and safe.
· Encourages independent exploration, movement and choice. |
| Respect for Each Child | · Every child learns in their way.
· Teaching adapts to individual needs. |
| Hands-On Materials | · Learning tools are used actively.
· Children touch, feel, and explore ideas. |
| Observation-Based Teaching | · Teachers watch silently.
· Help is offered only when needed. |
| Mixed-Age Groups | · Kids of different ages learn together.
· Older children guide the younger ones. |
| Freedom with Limits | · Children choose to work freely.
· Certain boundaries are set to this freedom to encourage responsibility. |
| Long Work Time | · Kids work for long, quiet periods without a rush.
· Boosts deep thinking and focus. |
| Holistic Growth of Child | · Focus on body, mind, emotions, and social skills.
· The focus is not just on academics. |
| Prepared Teacher | · Teachers stay calm and mindful.
· Act as role models and guides. |
Questions to Ask Oneself
The questions you have to ask yourself in this context are the following.
- Are you capable of adapting to a child-led learning method?
- Are you patient enough to take the instruction slow, step back etc so children can learn by themselves?
- Can you observe a child silently during an activity without interfering and offer help only when asked or necessary?
- Are you an educator who believes in a child’s holistic development rather than academic development alone?
Choosing the Right Institute
You should know that not all Montessori TTC course-offering institutions have global recognition. The second thing is to choose an institute that is right for you. You have to consider the quality of the program offered and the accreditation of the institution. You should also check whether the certification offered by the institute is recognised by authorised institutions. Checking all these criteria and selecting a course accordingly can have a great impact on your teaching practice and career opportunities. The following are the institutions that offer accreditation to Montessori TTC courses.
| Organization | Shot Form | Key Focus | Origin & Affiliation | Approach |
| Association Montessori Internationale | AMI | Authentic Montessori education | · Global presence
· Founded by Dr. Maria Montessori |
Strictly follows the original method |
| American Montessori Society | AMS | Flexibility with core values | · Based in the USA
· Independent organization |
Combines tradition and modern ideas |
| Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education | MACTE | Quality teacher education | · Recognized by U.S. Dept. of Education
· Accredits programs |
Ensures high training standards |
| Indian Montessori Society | IMS | Promotes Montessori in India | · Based in India
· Affiliated with AMI |
Follows AMI guidelines |
Besides accreditation, you should also check the format of the course offered. Check the table below.
| Format | Description | Montessori-Specific Features |
| In-person | · Held at training centres
· Face-to-face instruction- Hands-on practice |
· Direct use of Montessori materials
· Classroom simulations |
| Online / Hybrid | · Combines virtual learning with in-person workshops
· Flexible schedule |
· Includes video demos
· Must ensure supervised practice |
| International Programs | · Offered by global institutions
· May involve travel or online access |
· Exposure to global Montessori standards
· Useful for teaching abroad |
Questions to Ask Oneself
You should ask yourself the following questions before selecting an institution.
- Does the course have national or international recognition?
- Does the program give you opportunities for hands-on practice in real Montessori environments?
- Are the mentors in the institute certified and have good experience?
- Does the curriculum followed by the institute match the settings of the country you are seeking employment?
All these questions will help you select the right institute to get your Montessori TTC certification.
Have a Clear Understanding of Your Career Goals
The first thing you should know is that all Montessori certifications do not pass the eligibility criteria for all types of Montessori jobs. So, you should have good clarity about your career goals before choosing a course. Look at the table below.
| Career Goal | Recommended Training/Certification | Why It Matters |
| Teach in established Montessori schools (private) | AMI or AMS diploma | Widely recognized; and preferred by quality Montessori institutions |
| Work in public or charter schools | · Montessori TTC (AMI/AMS/MACTE)
· State teaching license |
Public settings often require dual qualifications |
| Start your own Montessori preschool/daycare | · Montessori TTC
· Basic business & school management training |
Prepares you to handle both teaching and administration |
| Teach in Montessori sections of CBSE/ICSE schools | · Montessori TTC
· Awareness of national curriculum guidelines |
Many mainstream schools integrate Montessori at the preschool level |
| Work in international schools (IB PYP, etc.) | · Montessori TTC
· Exposure to IB or international frameworks |
International schools value holistic training and a global outlook |
| Join NGOs or ECCE-focused startups | · Montessori TTC
· Understanding of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) |
Ideal for community work, impact projects, or curriculum design |
| Become a curriculum specialist or trainer | · Advanced Montessori certification
· Experience in Montessori classrooms |
Suitable for experienced teachers aiming for leadership or training roles |
Things to Consider
What you must understand is that even though a Montessori TTC course will give you the needed pedagogical expertise that is necessary for teaching children. But still many state boards and government schools might ask for a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (D.El.Ed) or a B.Ed degree as the required qualification. Keep this information in mind if you are planning to get into the public school system.
The best course of action is to do D.El.Ed is a regular course and Montessori TTC is an online course at the same time. Joining the Entri Elevate Montessori TTC course will help you attain this aim easily. Since it is an online course, you can adjust your schedule accordingly and easily complete the course from the convenience of your home.
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Understand the Employment Landscape and Salary Ranges
Understanding the employment landscape is very important before getting into any type of course. First, you need to know the locations that offer more employment opportunities for the course you are learning. Check out the table below.
| Sector / Setting | Description | Key Locations / Examples |
| Urban Preschools | High demand in metro cities due to working parents and education awareness | · Delhi
· Kochi · Mumbai · Bangalore · Pune · Chennai · Thiruvananthapuram · Kozhikode · Thrissur |
| Montessori-Focused Chains | Branded preschools with standardized Montessori-based curriculum | · TreeHouse
· EuroKids · Kangaroo Kids · Podar Jumbo Kids |
| International Schools & Franchises | IB or Cambridge-affiliated schools with early years Montessori divisions | · Global Indian International School
· Oakridge |
| Teacher Training Academies | Institutions hiring trainers for Montessori TTC and content development | · Entri
· NIEM · VES · American Montessori Society partners |
| Curriculum Design Firms | EdTech and content firms developing Montessori-aligned resources | · Creya Learning
· Square Panda · Private consultancies |
Salary Ranges
Let us look at the possible salary ranges for a Montessori educator in India.
| Role / Experience Level | Expected Salary Range (Monthly) |
| Entry-level Montessori Teacher | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Experienced / AMI-Certified | ₹30,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Coordinator / Head of School | ₹50,000+ |
| Part-time / Assistant Teacher | ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 |
Keep in mind that the salary of this profession can vary according to location, school type, and certification level.
Evaluate the Time and Financial Commitment
Montessori training takes time and might even be costly in some cases. But it is truly worth the investment. Just make sure that you choose a course that suits your time commitments and budget constraints. Some courses might take up to 8 months to 1 year while some can be finished within mere 3 months. All these depend on the level of the course and the format in which it is offered. But whatever you choose, you should understand that this course demands a time commitment. You should expect significant out-of-class study, practice hours, and assignments. There is also the case of Internships or practicums which may take months and are generally unpaid but essential for the completion of the course.
Financial Aspect
Take a look at the table given below.
| Course Type | Typical Duration | Recognition Level | Notes |
| Entri Montessori TTC | 6- Month Course (Diploma) and 9-month Course (PG-Diploma) with 1 1-year Certificate | Indian + UK/US certifications | Fully online, includes internship, flexible |
| AMI Full-time Diploma | 9–12 months | International (highly recognized) | Intensive, in-person, globally valued |
| Part-time AMI Weekend | 12–18 months | International (AMI) | For working professionals |
| Short-term Certificate | 3–6 months | Not internationally recognized | Basic understanding, lower career impact |
Look at how the credentials of Entri Montessori TTC are very similar to the AMI-recognised full-time diplomas.
Time Commitment
Now that we know about time requirements, it is time to look at the money matters. Look at the table below.
| Course Type | Fees (Approx.) |
| AMI Diploma (Full-time) | ₹1.5 – ₹3 lakhs |
| AMI Diploma (Part-time) | ₹1.5 – ₹3 lakhs |
| IMS / Reputable Institutes | ₹70,000 – ₹1.5 lakhs |
| Online TTCs (General) | ₹25,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Short Certificate Courses | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 |
The fee ranges provided above are approximate calculations. Look at the specific sites to know the exact fee requirements for each course. There might even be additional costs after the fee. This might include costs like:
- Study materials
- Books and supplies
- Travel and lodging (for in-person programs or during Internships)
- Montessori manuals
- Application and registration fees for Certification exam
- Practical assessment fees
Some programs might offer the following options:
- Scholarships
- Payment plans
- Employer-sponsored funding
When reading the brochure of a course, try to look for such offers if you have tight budget constraints. The Montessori TTC course can be of varied cost, duration and intensity. The right fit can be determined by your lifestyle and financial situation.
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Things to Consider Before Starting Montessori Teacher Training: Conclusion
The demand for better early childhood education is steadily increasing in India. And what is better than the Montessori method when it comes to early childhood education? This method is soon gaining popularity among Indian school boards and parents due to its child-centred teaching practices and better results. Joining any course is a matter that requires research and lots of thinking. Montessori TTC is no different. Consider all the factors discussed in this blog do your research well and ensure that this is the career path of your choice before moving forward.
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Join Now!Frequently Asked Questions
How can we adapt Montessori education to an Indian setting?
Indian education culture leans more towards structured lessons and disciplined classrooms. However, the Montessori method leans toward child independence. These ideals are quite conflicting and create doubts in the minds of parents. A Montessori educator must do the following things to adapt culturally:
- Educate parents about the benefits of child-led learning.
- Adapt your approach sensitively to respect cultural expectations.
- Bridge gaps between Montessori principles and local traditions.
- Communicate clearly to build trust with families and schools.
In this way, there will be smoother acceptance and successful implementation of Montessori practices in Indian settings.
What are the qualities required for a Montessori educator?
The qualities required by a Montessori educator are given in the table below.
| Quality / Mindset | Description |
| Patience | · Children learn at their own pace.
· Avoid rushing. |
| Observation Skills | · Watch without interfering.
· Understand each child’s needs. |
| Calm Demeanour | · Maintain a peaceful presence.
· Support a calm classroom. |
| Adaptability | · Tailor guidance to each child.
· Be flexible in teaching. |
| Empathy & Communication | · Understand children’s emotions.
· Engage with parents and staff. |
| Creativity | · Design age-appropriate materials.
· Adapt lessons creatively. |
| Continuous Learning | · Reflect on your teaching.
· Keep improving your skills. |
