Does a post grad in montessori really make a difference or would a diploma be just as adequate?

I qualified with an hons degree in education in June 2010. I worked in learning support in a primary school from November until the end of June this year. I still have to do my dip, which I need a job in a mainstream classroom to do. This is proving very difficult and I'm losing hope!

I'm interested in childcare and montessori and would love to maybe run my own montessori one day if the amount of teaching jobs doesn't increase. My priority is doing the dip this year but I wonder if you could tell me the best places to earn a qualification or post grad in montessori teaching. Also does a post grad in montessori really make a difference or would a diploma be just as adequate? Thanks!

A post grad usually refers to a post graduate diploma or a post graduate certificate. A diploma is a higher valued award than a certificate, so if you get the chance to do the Diploma, I’d go for that route instead. Good places in Dublin to do it would be Portobello College or Dorset College. I believe that Portobello also offers a number of outreach programmes for Montessori teaching as well in different locations around the country.

If you’re deciding on Montessori because you don’t have a placement for primary school teaching to do the HDip, but you would really prefer the primary teaching direction, then I’d encourage you to think again. Look into the HDip in Education at NUI Maynooth and the application/entry requirements. It doesn’t say that you need to have a placement to do the programme. I believe there are other centres in Ireland to do it where this is not required either. Look up the HDip on www.qualifax.ie so you can see the range of college options to do it.

However, if the Montessori is what you’d prefer, then do go this direction.