St Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland offers professional support to all its members.  In order to maintain highest quality of best practice in Montessori schools, schools may be certified, registered or accredited as set out below.

Certification of Montessori Pre-Schools under Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) applicable to Montessori Pre-Schools.

Cerification Of Montessori Enviroment Under EOCP

Requirements for application  

• Appropriately prepared Montessori environment.
• The Montessori class teacher must have a Montessori qualification.

Requirement for Certificate under Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP).

• The Montessori pre-school receives a visit from a Montessori Education Advisor
• The Montessori pre-school has notified the HSE and complied with the Childcare Act Regulations
• Compliance with the recommendations as set out by Montessori Education Advisors must be achieved.
• At least one workshop/refresher course has been attended during the current year.

Certificate expires after three years.  To renew Certificate a renewal visit must be applied for through the SNMSI office or website

• A Montessori Educational Advisors carries out a renewal visit and maintenance of compliance is validated.
• At least one workshop/refresher course has been attended during the current year    

Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association (SNMTA) St Nicholas Montessori graduates only.

Requirements for application for Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association.

• Self-evaluation and an on-site visit for purpose of evaluation.
• Teachers must hold one of the following awards
  • St. Nicholas Montessori Foundation Diploma
  • St. Nicholas Montessori Advanced Diploma
  • National Diploma in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • BA in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • Graduate Diploma in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • BA in Montessori Education- HETAC
  • BA (Honours) IN Montessori Education- HETAC
  • Higher Diploma in Montessori Education -HETAC
  • The award held by the teacher must be appropriate to the age groups being taught
• Evidence of on-going professional development or in-service training.
• Membership of the St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland

Requirement for Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association.  

• Substantial compliance with the standards as set out in the guidelines for registration of St. Nicholas Montessori Schools must be achieved.
• Annual report

Renewal of Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association.

Registration expires after three years. 

• Renewal requires a new application and on-site visit.

Accreditation of schools by The Irish Montessori Education Board (IMEB)

Requirements for application for IMEB accreditation

• Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association.
• Teachers must hold one of the following awards
  • St. Nicholas Montessori Advanced Diploma (3-12 years)
  • National Diploma in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • BA in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • Graduate Diploma in Humanities in Montessori Education- NCEA/HETAC
  • BA in Montessori Education- HETAC
  • BA (Honours) IN Montessori Education- HETAC
  • Higher Diploma in Montessori Education -HETAC
  • The award held by the teacher must be appropriate to the age groups being taught
• Evidence of on-going professional development or in-service training.
• Membership of the St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland (SNMTA)

Requirement for Accreditation by The Irish Montessori Education Board.

• Compliance with application requirements as stated above and approved by  The Irish Montessori Education Board Trust Limited (IMEB)
• Annual report

Renewal of Accreditation

Accreditation expires after three years.

• Renewal of Registration with St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Association includes a new application and on-site visit.