Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Montessori Qualifications.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

250 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education if she recognises Montessori qualifications for child care assistants in the early start programme; if so, the qualifications which are recognised; if not, if she intends to recognise these courses; the position of Montessori teaching and its qualifications in the education system, particularly in the pre-school area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8085/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Montessori qualifications are not recognised for child care assistant positions in the early start programme.

The minimum qualification for child care assistants in early start is a one year full-time post-leaving certificate level 2 qualification validated by the NCVA. The National Vocational Certificate: Community and Health Services — Child care, Level 2 or equivalent qualifications.

Full-time courses in child care, pre-school care or social care, of longer duration, which are validated by the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA) or the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) or equivalent qualifications are also recognised. The National Nurseries Education Board Diploma (NNEB) in Nursery Nursing awarded by the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education is recognised as an equivalent qualification, provided applicants have also passed the leaving certificate including a pass in Irish.

Where a case is being made that other qualifications are equivalent, it is necessary for the training institution, which provides that qualification, to apply to the NCVA to seek equivalence recognition.

My Department recognises the Montessori Diploma awarded on successful completion of the three year course at the Montessori College, Mount St. Mary's, Dundrum Road, Milltown, Dublin 14 formerly Sion Hill. Persons holding this diploma may be granted exceptional recognition for teaching posts in special schools for children with mental handicap, emotional disturbance or hearing impairment. However, the qualification does not meet the training qualification requirements of primary school teachers.

Teachers appointed to the early start programme must be fully qualified primary teachers. Such teachers are members of the staff of the school in which the early start centre is located and have deployment mobility within the school and in the primary school system in general. Persons with Montessori qualification are not eligible for appointment to the staffs of ordinary national schools.