EOCP Montessori Project – Team Structure

Montessori Education Advisor (MEA)
Southern Region: Mary Nestor

Montessori Education Advisor (MEA)
Nth/North West Region: Dara Tighe

EOCP Montessori Project

Under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland have been funded to develop and deliver a quality assurance programme which offers support and mentoring to Montessori pre-school providers as well as in-service training.   Engagement in this programme by pre-school providers can be extended to EOCP Certification.   The purpose of the process is to assist in the raising of standards and consistency of service in Montessori pre-school provision throughout the country.   It is very important for parents to be made aware that they can look for credentials that have come from a nationally recognised Montessori body and feel confident that their children are receiving the Montessori education that they are paying for.

What is the EOCP Certification Process?

The EOCP Certification Process provides independent quality assurance for both Montessori Pre-school providers and parents.  The purpose is to raise standards where necessary and have consistency of service provision nationwide.   Certification and advisor visits are open to Montessori pre-school providers, irrespective of their Montessori training background.   All Montessori pre-school providers/Managers are invited to apply for a Montessori Education Advisors school visit.   This offers providers support and advice on current standards and requirements for the sector.   Advice and support is also given to those wishing to engage in the Certification process for their facility.   Advisors will assist staff in assessing where an individual pre-school stand in relation to quality provision and most importantly will assist in raising standards nationwide.

The Services on Offer Through the EOCP Montessori Project Include:

• Advice on Montessori Early Childhood Education
• Information on Training/Refresher Courses and Workshops
• Assistance in networking Montessori Providers on a localised countywide basis (Montessori County Networks)
• Access to web site with regularly updated information
• School visitation and Advisory service with the possibility of Certification
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Criteria for EOCP Certification

• The Montessori Class Teacher must have a Montessori Qualification.
• The Montessori School has complied with the Childcare Act Regulations.
• The Montessori Environment meets the standard as recommended by the EOCP Montessori Education Adviser.
• One Certified workshop/Refresher course has been attended during the current year.

VALUE OF MONTESSORI EOCP CERTIFICATION