The beginnings of life
Consider the child’s earliest adaptation to the world and the adult’s responsibility to offer security, consistency and respect.
AMI · Diploma · 0–3
AMI Assistants to Infancy (0–3) Diploma
Prepare to guide children through the first three years of life. This diploma brings Montessori pedagogy together with developmental study, observation and practical work in infant and toddler environments.
Assistants to InfancyEnquire about this programme
Pathway
Diploma
Age focus
0–3
Next cohort
To be confirmed
Format
To be confirmed
YOUR PATHWAY
Who this journey is for.
- Prospective infant community guides
- Early years educators
- Professionals deepening their work with infants and families
IDEAS INTO PRACTICE
What you will explore.
The themes below introduce the educational focus. Your confirmed programme handbook will specify the curriculum and requirements.
Movement and independence
Explore how an environment can support freedom of movement and the gradual development of everyday independence.
Language and relationship
Look closely at listening, spoken language and the exchanges that help a young child feel understood.
Care as education
Reflect on feeding, dressing and personal care as opportunities for participation and connection.
Observation and environment
Develop attention to the child’s activity, and consider how spaces and materials respond to changing developmental needs.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Knowledge becomes practice.
Learn through lectures, demonstrations, supervised practice, observation, reading and discussion. Develop reference albums and make materials while connecting developmental understanding with everyday care.
A community of learners
Bring your questions and your experience. Professional preparation asks us to examine our own responses as carefully as the environments we prepare for children.
Study commitment
The supplied documents describe at least 400 hours of classroom-based training, including supervised practice, and 250 hours of observation. The calendar and module arrangements for the next cohort must be confirmed.
Where this pathway can lead
Preparation for guiding infant and toddler Montessori environments. The supplied documents describe an AMI Assistants to Infancy diploma, awarded after all course and assessment requirements are met.
Your faculty
Programme-specific teaching appointments are to be confirmed. Meet the wider Institute community while admissions prepares the details for your cohort.
Meet our peoplePLAN YOUR STUDY
Dates, fees & entry requirements.
- Next dates
- To be confirmed with admissions
- Duration
- To be confirmed with admissions
- Delivery format
- To be confirmed with admissions
- Teaching location
- To be confirmed with admissions
- Fees
- To be confirmed with admissions
- Entry requirements
- The supplied handbook and existing course page describe NQF Level 4 or equivalent for South African applicants, A-Level or equivalent for international applicants, English proficiency and an interview. Ask admissions for the current document checklist.
- Observation & practice
- The supplied handbook specifies 250 observation hours and practice teaching in Montessori environments; placement arrangements are confirmed with the training team.
- Assessment
- The supplied handbook describes at least 90% attendance, theory and reference albums, material making, written work, observation, teaching practice and written and oral examinations. Confirm the current certification agreement before enrolment.
- Award & awarding body
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), as described in the supplied reference documents. Confirm the current cohort’s award with admissions.
- Support options
- To be confirmed with admissions
Descriptions are based on the supplied reference PDFs and the existing Institute programme page, reviewed 16 October 2026. Confirm current dates, fees, delivery, faculty and certification requirements with admissions. No current fees or dates are inferred from older listings.
Your admissions journeyREAD BEFORE YOU APPLY
Your course documents.
Explore the educational outline in the brochure and the fuller study expectations in the handbook.
Reference editions, not a current course offer. These PDFs include older schedules, fees, contacts and policies. Confirm the latest details with admissions before applying or making payments.
PDF · 1.6 MB · Reference edition
Course brochure
May 2014
Read course brochure (PDF, new tab) ↗Download PDF ↓PDF · 0.7 MB · Reference edition
Student handbook
Supplied February 2024 file; printed publication date 15 June 2022
Read student handbook (PDF, new tab) ↗Download PDF ↓A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
Questions we hear.
Why begin with observation?
Infants communicate through their whole being. Careful observation helps the adult respond to the child in front of them, rather than applying a fixed timetable to development.
When can I join, and what will it cost?
The next dates and fees are to be confirmed. Contact admissions for the current course information before making travel, employment or financial arrangements.
Who will teach the course?
Faculty assignments are confirmed for each cohort. Ask admissions for the teaching team and programme handbook for the offering you are considering.
A PERSONAL CONVERSATION
We would be delighted
to hear from you.
Tell us what brings you here. Please do not include children’s details or sensitive personal documents.
admin@indabainstitute.org
+27 63 649 8191
B14 Newberry House Montessori School, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, 7130, South Africa
Please arrange visits with the team.
KEEP EXPLORING
Other pathways.
AMI · Diploma
013–6years
Primary · Children’s House
Prepare to guide a Montessori Children’s House for children aged three to six. Study child development and the purposeful use of practical life, sensorial, language and mathematics materials, supported by observation and teaching practice.
AMI · Certificate
023–6years
Primary Orientation & Assistants
Discover how to support children and the guide in a Montessori Children’s House. This introductory certificate develops understanding of observation, independence, language and the prepared environment; it is distinct from the full 3–6 teaching diploma.
AMI · Diploma
036–12years
Elementary
Prepare to guide children aged six to twelve through an interconnected exploration of the world. Study Montessori elementary development and Cosmic Education, linking language, mathematics, sciences, history and the arts through imagination and enquiry.