Introduction to Montessori Education & Practice for Ages Birth to Three
(AMI 0-3 Orientation Course)
Overview
For the first time in the Bay Area, the AMI Montessori Birth to Three Orientation Course is being offered locally. This introductory course is designed for parents, ECE professionals, and other interested adults who want to understand the Montessori perspective on the psychology and development of children from birth to three. The four week hybrid format combines one weekly online evening session with immersive in-person Saturdays held inside Studio Montessori’s carefully prepared 0 to 3 environments in San Francisco. The schedule is designed for working adults who want meaningful training without needing extended time away from their other commitments.
This course presents the essential Montessori principles for understanding and supporting the development of young children. While grounded in theory, it places strong emphasis on practical application: how to observe infants and toddlers, how to prepare environments for home and childcare settings, how to select appropriate materials, and how to support the child’s growing independence. These foundations are especially helpful for nannies, assistants, family childcare providers, parents, and those beginning their own in-home or center-based programs.
As an introductory training, this course does not qualify participants to lead a Montessori classroom. It provides the basic Montessori knowledge every birth to three educator should have and equips participants with the insight and confidence needed to begin implementing Montessori principles at home or in a professional setting.
Participants who meet all course requirements will receive the AMI 0 to 3 Orientation Certificate.
Course Format & Schedule
The course runs from March 1 to March 25, 2026 and includes sixty hours in total:
Twelve hours online over Zoom
Thirty two hours in person on Saturdays at Studio Montessori
Sixteen hours of independent reading, video viewing, and written reflections
Participants also complete nine hours of observation in a birth to three environment with brief written summaries.
Course Dates
In person: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
March 1, 8, 15, 22Online sessions: Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19, 26
What You Will Learn
This course introduces the essential Montessori principles for understanding and supporting the development of children from birth to three years. The focus is on clear theory paired with practical application for home and group settings.
You will learn about:
• The absorbent mind and the natural developmental needs of infants and toddlers
• Observation and how to use it to understand and guide the child
• Early movement, language, and the growth of independence
• Order, routine, and the beginnings of self-discipline
• The adult’s role and the qualities that support healthy development
• The prepared environments of home, Nido, and the Infant Community
These themes provide a foundation for preparing environments, choosing appropriate materials, and supporting young children with confidence and respect.
Learning in Authentic Montessori Environments
A central part of this course is the opportunity for you to learn inside two fully prepared Montessori environments for children from birth to three years. The in-person Saturday sessions take place at the campuses of Studio Montessori in San Francisco, where you can observe real spaces designed to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers.
Being in these environments helps you connect theory to practice. You will have time to observe, ask questions, study and manipulate materials, and consider how the principles presented in the course can be applied in your own home or professional setting. Learning in an authentic Montessori space offers a depth of understanding that is difficult to achieve through online study alone.
Tuition and Registration
Early bird tuition
$825 when you register by January 20, 2026
Regular tuition
$900 after January 20
Deposit
200 dollars, non-refundable, required to reserve your place
Applied to tuition balance
Final payment
Remaining balance due February 20, 2026
Unpaid spots will be released to the waitlist
How to register
Submit the registration form and deposit. A confirmation message will be sent once your place is secured.
Certificate
This course is offered through the Association Montessori Internationale, the organization founded by Maria Montessori to safeguard the authenticity and quality of her work. For almost one hundred years, AMI has been the leading authority on Montessori education, supporting teacher training and research across the world. An AMI certificate carries weight because it reflects training grounded in Montessori’s original principles and upheld to the highest international standards.
You will receive the AMI 0 to 3 Orientation Certificate if you attend at least ninety percent of the scheduled sessions and complete all required assignments, observations, and written reflections. This certificate introduces you to Montessori practice for children from birth to three. It is not a teaching qualification, but it provides a strong foundation that helps you apply Montessori principles in daily work with young children and collaborate effectively with a trained Montessori guide.
Instructor
The course is led by Zoe Paul, an AMI 0 to 3 trainer whose work has taken her to Montessori environments in Morocco, Russia, Dubai, Jordan, France, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and the United States. AMI trained at both the 0 to 3 and 3 to 6 levels, Zoe has guided young children in settings that range from intimate home environments to vibrant school communities. As an AMI trainer, she offers introductory, assistant teacher, and lead teacher courses internationally.
She speaks English and French fluently and is conversant in Russian and Arabic. Her path to education included service in the United States military and graduate study at the University of San Diego, where she earned a Master of Education degree.
Zoe is guided by a deep belief in the potential of every child. Her teaching centers on observation, clarity, and the simple daily practices that help infants and toddlers grow with confidence and joy.
FAQ
Who is this course for?
The course is designed for parents, nannies, family childcare providers, early childhood educators, and anyone interested in understanding Montessori from birth to three years.
Do I need prior Montessori experience?
No. The course assumes no previous training. All essential concepts will be introduced clearly and practically.
Does this certification allow me to work as a Montessori teacher?
No. The Orientation Certificate is an introduction to Montessori practice. It does not qualify you to lead a classroom, but it strengthens your work with young children and your ability to support a trained Montessori guide.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. You will receive the AMI 0 to 3 Orientation Certificate if you meet attendance and assignment requirements.
What is the attendance requirement?
You must attend at least ninety percent of the scheduled sessions to receive the certificate.
Where can I complete the nine hours of required observation?
You may arrange observations in any appropriate birth to three setting. Studio Montessori can accommodate a limited number of students for on-site observations, subject to availability.
What are the deadlines for assignments?
Assignments must be submitted by March 31, 2026. AMI allows up to three months for completion, but late submissions may delay your certification.
How will assignments be submitted?
All assignments will be posted and submitted through Google Classroom. Access will be provided at the start of the course.
Can I make up missed sessions?
Makeup sessions are not guaranteed. If you miss more than the allowed amount, you may not meet the requirements for certification.
Can I transfer my deposit if I cannot attend?
If you withdraw from the course after registering, the two hundred dollar deposit is non-refundable. It may be transferred once to any other training offered by Studio Montessori within one year of your original registration date. After one transfer or after one year, whichever comes first, the deposit is forfeited.