Cosmic Education
Explore the connected stories through which children encounter the universe, life and humanity, and begin to ask their own questions.
AMI · Diploma · 6–12
AMI Elementary (6–12) Diploma
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.
ElementaryEnquire about this programme
Pathway
Diploma
Age focus
6–12
Next cohort
To be confirmed
Format
To be confirmed
YOUR PATHWAY
Who this journey is for.
- Prospective elementary Montessori guides
- Primary guides extending their practice
- Educators interested in interdisciplinary learning
IDEAS INTO PRACTICE
What you will explore.
The themes below introduce the educational focus. Your confirmed programme handbook will specify the curriculum and requirements.
Language and expression
Consider research, discussion, reading and writing as tools for discovering and sharing ideas.
Mathematics and geometry
Follow the journey from concrete exploration towards abstraction and reasoned understanding.
History, geography and life
Study relationships across disciplines, supporting the child’s curiosity about people, places and living systems.
Community and independent enquiry
Reflect on collaboration, responsibility and purposeful work beyond the immediate classroom.
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Knowledge becomes practice.
Work with an integrated curriculum through lectures, demonstrations, supervised materials practice, reading and discussion. Prepare reference albums and classroom materials, then deepen understanding through observation and supervised teaching.
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 handbook describes at least 440 classroom-based hours, including at least 140 hours of supervised materials practice, and at least 210 hours of observation and placement. Confirm the timetable and allocation with admissions.
Where this pathway can lead
Preparation for guiding a Montessori elementary environment. The supplied documents describe an AMI Elementary diploma following successful completion of course work, practice and examinations.
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 2022 handbook specifies an AMI 3–6 diploma or attendance on the preparatory AMI Foundation Course, alongside the diploma application requirements. Admissions must confirm the foundation route and current entry requirements.
- Observation & practice
- The brochure describes 90 hours of observation and 120 hours of teaching practice. Confirm placements and the current certification agreement 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 · 1.3 MB · Reference edition
Course brochure
May 2014
Read course brochure (PDF, new tab) ↗Download PDF ↓PDF · 0.6 MB · Reference edition
Student handbook
29 August 2022
Read student handbook (PDF, new tab) ↗Download PDF ↓A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
Questions we hear.
Do I need prior Primary training?
The published Institute listing specifies an AMI 3–6 diploma or attendance on an AMI Foundation Course. Admissions must confirm the prerequisite and Foundation Course arrangements for the next cohort.
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
010–3years
Assistants to Infancy
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.
AMI · Diploma
023–6years
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
033–6years
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.