The Australian Montessori Society (inc)

Montessori Education & Care Accreditation Program

The Accreditation Scheme - aiming for quality

Aiming for Quality remained a tried and tested scheme with a strong track record and reputation within the sector. A new four-staged version of the scheme, the Montessori Stepping Stones™ Program, and the newly launched scheme in November 2005 with Early Childhood International Inc® (ECI), the Early Childhood Stepping Stones© Program, has been created to offer settings an opportunity to join a scheme which more closely meets their individual level of experience and requirements. The latest scheme offers a staged approach based on 5 standards to provide wider accessibility. Settings who may not be ready for the challenge of the present scheme can now be nurtured through the process to a successful conclusion.

Benefits of the Accreditation Scheme

In an increasingly competitive sector, an accredited pre-school and/or care centre is recognised by parents and attracts greater numbers of children. This can improve the viability and sustainability of a setting and the overall standing of pre-school provision in a local area, for example in relation to funding sources. Completion of the accreditation scheme confirms the status of the pre-school and /or care centre and increases recognition from parents, the local community and industry. In addition, the challenge of working in a pre-school and/or care centre with rigorous standards attracts and retains a qualified and motivated workforce. Staff have the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have learned on The Montessori Stepping Stones™ Program qualification courses and courses of continued professional development.

The Accreditation Scheme - Aiming for Quality:

Builds on the valuable experience of many participants who have successfully completed accreditation with the AMS;
Is a journey towards excellence, ensuring that the highest possible standards of education and care for all children;
Puts children and their individual needs first;
Ensures settings provide a comprehensive profile of their setting;
Is designed with parents in mind and the important role they play in the care and education of children;
Encourages each setting to assess the needs of the local community and governing regulations and review its services to meet those needs;
Encourages all staff, parents and volunteers in lifelong learning and personal development;

The Accreditation Process - General

This is a four-stage approach. Each stage successfully completed will be recognised and celebrated.

Stage 1 builds on the National (where applicable) and Montessori Stepping Stones™ Program Standards to promote comprehensive information for staff, volunteers and parents and to introduce procedures to ensure the setting meets the needs of all children and their families. Once the paperwork covers the information required by the assessor, Accreditation for Stage 1 will be recommended.

Stage 2 builds on Stage 1. When a setting is confident that it meets the standards, it invites the assessor to visit them to observe their practice. When the assessor is satisfied that the setting meets the high standards required and provides a quality service to the children in its care s/he will recommend Accreditation for Stage 2.

Stage 3 once again builds on the other stages to ensure the setting continually reviews its practice. Parents and carers are encouraged to contribute to this assessment of the services provided. It is recognised that the nature of parental involvement will differ from setting to setting, but it is important that parents and carers feel their opinions are valued.

Stage 4 is the completion of all pervious steps and the setting (pre-school and/or care centre) has achieved all set standards and the children, through their work and actions, validate the implementation and acceptance of those standards. The setting is now at a stage where it can – in its own right – commence training and consulting to other settings.

A validation report is completed by the validator announcing the visit to be satisfactorily completed and that the setting meets the high standards and procedures required. The validator will recommend Accreditation for Stage 4. At this stage the setting will be able to say they have been accredited by a scheme endorsed by the AMS and ECI.

Standards are monitored after accreditation through annual announced validation visits.