Best montessori Course for graduate

LovexxLife

Hi,
I completed my level 8 degree in English and archaeology in 2013 where I achieved a 2:1. For the past 2 years I have volunteered as a literacy tutor with the local Vec/etb. I am thinking of pursuing a career in childcare as a montessori teacher. I have been looking at the graduate program in AMI and in St Nicholas college. The AMI works out cheaper as I would pay fees for 1 year whereas st nicholas college is a 2 year programme. From reading st nicholas college seems to have better accreditation as AMI is accredited by their own organisation. would this have affect on finding jobs and would you be able to register with the teaching council?

I was also thinking of doing a fetac 6 with a private college as they are cheaper but Lower qualifications level. But would you still have the same job options available as to someone who completeset one of the above courses?

Also I was wondering how much does a montessori teacher make working full time?

Moonbeam

I can only help you with the last bit a play school Montessori teacher earns from min wage to about 12.50ph.
you can find surveys online with the info.

http://www.montessorialliance.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FINAL-an-analysis-of-the-hourly-rate-of-pay-childhood-professionals-in-ireland-receive-september-2013-ma-updated-25-sept-PDF-sec.pdf
http://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/policy-research-and-media/research/surveys/salary-survey-2012/

Katesbarbar

LovexxLife wrote: »

Hi,
I completed my level 8 degree in English and archaeology in 2013 where I achieved a 2:1. For the past 2 years I have volunteered as a literacy tutor with the local Vec/etb. I am thinking of pursuing a career in childcare as a montessori teacher. I have been looking at the graduate program in AMI and in St Nicholas college. The AMI works out cheaper as I would pay fees for 1 year whereas st nicholas college is a 2 year programme. From reading st nicholas college seems to have better accreditation as AMI is accredited by their own organisation. would this have affect on finding jobs and would you be able to register with the teaching council?

I was also thinking of doing a fetac 6 with a private college as they are cheaper but Lower qualifications level. But would you still have the same job options available as to someone who completeset one of the above courses?

Also I was wondering how much does a montessori teacher make working full time?

Hi there!
I am currently in my fourth year of BA honours in Montessori eduction in Cork institute of technology. I would highly recommend the course. I carried out my fetac level five and six for two years at cork college of commerce and then carried on for the two years at CIT for the level seven and eight. Hope this helps

LovexxLife

Thanks for your replies. I'm currently stuck between this and another career option dental nursing

I was talking to someone about the montessori courseso in St Nicholas college, and they give great feedback on the courses and even said you may able to get a job as a resource teacher.
But they also said a lot of people change careers after a while cos it a lot of work with little pay and there's no real career progression.
Have you found this to be true?

ShamrockGirl

I personally wouldn't recommend doing a course in Montessori, Childcare or Early Education. I am a qualified Early Years Practitioner/Preschool Teacher/Montessori (Honours Degree/Level 8) but have just taken a career change. The sector has become very hard to work in, and not in a professionally challenging way. Most of us would work 38 hour weeks, but have to also so much overtime, paperwork, planning and extra training out of hours (UNPAID) which for me most weeks was making my working week between 60-70 hours. The pay currently is very poor, averaging around €10 p/hr (many places still only on minimum wage), irrespective of Level of qualification. There are a select few public settings that offer better pay but are becoming increasing dependent on Master's Qualifications and the pay for them would be €13-15 p/hr (so still not excellent).
Also to answer your question about career progression, yes indeed there is very little possibility of progression and any progression you do make doesn't necessary mean a higher wage- i.e - Classroom Assistant to Room Leader to Supervisor.

LovexxLife

Many thanks for your reply.

Did you ever own a childcare business Shamrock Girl? You sounds like you had a lot of experience in this sector.

Did other Childcare workers fill the same about this sector also?
I have looked up my local FAS centre and they do a course in childcare which I might consider instead of jumping into a degree or masters course and paying big money. To gain more experience in the area first. and If on the course it turns out its not for me least I tried and tested it.

ShamrockGirl

Yes many of my colleagues are of the same opinion. Many people aren't happy in their positions but stay where they are because they fear they won't find another job to financially support them. To put into perspective, of my degree class 46 of us started in first year- 8 dropped out, about 10 currently work in retail or shop positions. 6 have moved on to study Primary School Teaching, 8 have emigrated, 3 done Master's Conversion Courses to Family Support Worker positions and the remainder are in childcare/early education services.
But yes if I was you I would do a short term course or volunteer work in the sector before jumping into full term/long term Montessori or Early Childhood Education Degrees. But it's not all negative, the work, educating and planning with the children is fantastic but just Ireland is way behind on European and International Standards!!