Training Montessori Teachers/Early Years Educators for over Twenty Five Years! 

FETAC-accredited, the Montessori Education Centre is an independent educational establishment using the philosophy and teaching practices of Dr. Maria Montessori (1870- 1952), and today's comparative psychologists. It was founded in 1985 by Mary Bowers and the late Connie Fahey, both of whom were trained directly by Margaret Homfray and Phoebe Child, students of Maria Montessori, who were instrumental in bringing Montessori Training courses to Ireland.

M.E.C. has a school, day-care and teacher training college. We are involved in the care and teaching of children from age three to twelve years as well as the training of Montessori teachers. Students of the college are given priority for work-experience placements in our own Montessori school.

The courses provided by the Montessori Education Centre offer FETAC accreditation and full Montessori training, all the essentials of a professional qualification. In addition to the course input of the MEC staff, there are lectures by visiting professionals with special expertise working in the areas such as children at risk, First Aid etc. Students can study by evening course or distance learning.

The college principal is Mary Bowers, a fully qualified Montessori teacher and international lecturer. She has lectured extensively in Ireland, England, Canada, the USA, Africa and Sweden and has been teaching children since 1969.

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If we are not in time for the coming autumn, students can start the current course offering the FETAC modules listed below and we will arrange to transfer learners to the new course when it becomes available.

Current Montessori FETAC Level 6 Modules:

Montessori Theory & Practice, Montessori Practical Life, Montessori Sensorial Exercises, Montessori Mathematics Exercises, Montessori Language Exercises, Montessori Culture Exercises

Current Evening Course:

First Year/Nursery Course: 0-6 years, this course includes six FETAC Level 6 Component Certificates.

Students are introduced to the Montessori method and philosophy of education and its curriculum, as well as practical child-care and the social, emotional, cognitive and physical principles of development of the child from birth to six years of age. It includes the essential role of a carefully constructed environment and the practical demonstration and use of Montessori educational materials. The course starts in late September and is held two nights a week, from 6.30 - 9pm, (usually on a Tuesday and Thursday evening, to be confirmed by contacting the College), there will also be 9 Saturday workshops. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Forty hours observation are involved in this course and the College will help organise observation/teaching practice for evening students in our school, if they wish to avail of this option. Students will need to allocate time outside of classes for study and course assignments.  At the end of this course successful students receive 6 Fetac Level 6 Component Certificates as well as a Montessori Education Centre Advanced Certificate.

Evening courses are also available in Tralee, Co. Kerry. This course is run in the same way and covers the same course content as the Dublin evening course (details above). Our Tralee evening course is held on Mondays with 10 Saturday workshops.

Distance learning Courses:

Our Montessori Teacher Training Courses may also be taken by Distance Learning, successful students gain the same certification as the Evening Course students.

We also offer the following Courses by Distance Learning: Montessori Course 2: 6-9 years and Montessori Course 3: 9-12 years.

The minimum length of time per course from registration to taking examination is one academic year and the maximum is 2 years. Second and third year courses are generally run on alternate years.

Full Time Course:

Our full-time course is currently under review, please contact the college for further information.

Entry Requirements

 Students must have Leaving Certificate or an equivalent national qualification. It is preferable to have an Honour in English and a science subject. Mature students who do not meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply as the college gives credit for appropriate work experience. Candidates should send a C.V. and two passport size photographs, together with a completed application form. 

Also currently  enrolling:

Fetac Leval 6 Supervision in Childcare Level 6 Modules

Fetac Level 5 Childcare Component Certificate Courses

Fetac Level 6 accelerated course for past graduates

Further details of all courses available from the College