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Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian medical doctor who moved into the realm of education, created a specialized type of prepared environment for children where they could develop the learning powers they were born with, and where the adults role became that of a director/directress.
Her idea evolved while she was working with a great variety of children, including children with special needs, from different cultural backgrounds. Her legacy to present-day education is a wide and comprehensive set of developmental materials that is the hallmark of the prepared environment. She also gave us a very personal and inspiring view of child development, and stressed the need for specialised training for the director/directress.
The Association Montessori International was founded in 1929 by Maria Montessori and continues to be the only recognised authority on Montessori education.
Its headquarters are at:
161 Koninginneweg, 107 CN Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
An important section of its work is the supervision of teacher training in affiliated institutions.
The only such institution in Ireland has been involved in training for over sixty years. Formerly in Sion Hill, it is now located at:
Mount St Mary, Dundrum Road, Milltown, Dublin 14
Tel: 01-2692499
Web: www.montessoriami.ie
The Association of AMI Teachers in Ireland (AATI) aims to bring together all teachers holding AMI diplomas and to engage in activities geared to their professional development so that the standard of Montessori education offered to children is worthy of them. The schools listed in this directory are directed by people who hold AMI Montessori diplomas and are members of the AATI. The association assumes no responsibility with regard to the daily running of individual schools. It is earnestly recommended that parents, prior to enrolling their child in any particular school, meet the director and make view the prepared environment so as to gain an understanding of the manner in which it operates.
You can contact us at info@aati.ie
The AATI has drawn up regulations that ensure the highest standards in AMI Montessori schools The regulations address the following areas: staffing, pupil/teacher ratio, school calendar, parent/teacher relations, school facilities (lighting, heating, toilet facilities etc.) and the prepared environment (Montessori materials, furniture, essential subjects, etc.). Each registered classroom has been inspected by an appointed representative and on meeting required regulations has been awarded a certificate of registration (valid for 3 years).
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