0-3 Diploma Course
Your pathway to an internationally-recognized AMI diploma, equipping you to lead 0-3 Montessori environments worldwide
Two-Summer, In-Person Format | Mount Dora, Florida
June 7, 2027–July 28, 2028
An in-person course in Mount Dora, with two online study days between the summer sessions.
This course prepares adults to understand and support the optimal development of children from birth to age three through an in-depth study of Montessori theory and hands-on practice. Students explore key areas of early development— including gross and fine motor skills, language acquisition, music and art, personality formation, hygiene and physical care, nutrition, and prenatal influences— while gaining practical tools for creating supportive home and community environments for young children.
The first three years of life lay the foundation for a child’s personality, social abilities, and core values. By understanding natural developmental processes, Montessori practitioners can design environments that nurture belonging, independence, movement, and language. This course helps adults cultivate the skills and insight needed to guide young children with confidence and respect.
-
The AMI 0–3 Diploma Course examines human development from conception through age three and prepares students to create environments that support infants, young children, and their families.
Course topics include:
Montessori theory, history, and principles
Development from conception through the first three years of life
Anatomy, physiology, pregnancy, birth, nutrition, and hygiene
Observation as a foundation for understanding children
Movement and psycho-sensory motor development
Language development, communication, music, art, and self-expression
The home environment, including sleep, feeding, weaning, toileting, clothing, safety, and independence
Nido and Infant Community environments
Furniture, materials, and activities for children from birth to age three
Practical life, food preparation, grace and courtesy, and participation in the environment
Physical, psychological, social, emotional, and intellectual development
Attachment, separation, developmental crises, and the formation of personality
The prepared environment and the role of the adult
Partnership with parents and support for family life
Students connect theory with practice through observation, album development, material making, supervised practice, practice teaching, and sustained work with Montessori materials and environments.
Course Schedule
Two-Summer Format | Onsite in Mount Dora, Florida
The course runs from June 7, 2027, through July 28, 2028. Most instruction takes place on site in Mount Dora during two eight-week summer sessions. Classes generally meet Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break.
Students also participate in two online study days in March 2028 and complete observation, practice teaching, supervised practice, and independent study between the summer sessions.
Detailed Schedule
-
Format: In person in Mount Dora
Length: Eight weeks
General schedule: Monday through Friday
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
No class: Monday, July 5
Practice exam: Thursday, July 22
Student conferences: July 26–29
First-summer celebration and closure: Friday, July 30
The first summer includes 39 instructional days. Students also begin observation, practice teaching, album writing, reading, research, and other work completed outside class hours.
-
Format: Online and asynchronous
Length: Two days, six hours total
Students complete the work independently through recorded lectures, readings, theory review, album work, and written reflections
Written reflections are due April 1, 2028
These are self-directed study days rather than scheduled live online classes
Students use this period to review material from the first summer, assess their album progress, and prepare for the second on-site summer.
-
Format: In person in Mount Dora
Length: Eight weeks
General schedule: Monday through Friday
Daily hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
No class: Monday, June 19
No class: Tuesday, July 4
Final albums due: Monday, July 17
Written exams: July 19 and July 21
Oral exams: July 25–27, with July 24 available if needed
Commencement: Friday, July 28
The second summer includes 38 instructional days and concludes with written and oral examinations and commencement. Individual oral-exam times will be communicated separately.
-
In addition to the two on-site summer sessions and the online Spring Break work, students complete:
250 hours of observation, to be completed before the second summer
45 hours of practice teaching, to be completed before exam week
Independent reading and research
Album writing and preparation
Material making
Supervised practice
Students should generally plan for approximately five hours of independent study per week during course sessions and approximately five hours per week between sessions. Observation, practice teaching, and supervised practice require additional scheduled time.
Course Details
Tuition & Fees
-
$6,500
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due within 10 days of acceptance. -
$100 fee on or before January 1
$150 fee after January 1
Application fee is non-refundable. -
AMI Membership Fee: $198
MACTE Fee: $250
-
Examination Fee: $500
Technology Fee: $150
Requirements
-
90% Minimum Attendance of ALL Class Hours
Appropriate Preparation and Engagement in Course Activities and Discussions
-
Completion of 250 Hours of Observation, with submission of Observation Notes, Reflections, and Summaries
Completion of Practice Teaching Notes and Reflections from a Nido/Infant Community as Scheduled (minimum 30 hours)
Completion of a minimum of 60 hours of Guided Practice with Materials
-
Submission of acceptable and original Albums in all content areas
Submission of acceptable Material Making Assignments
-
Passing Marks on all Written and Oral Examinations
Financial Support
-
MINT’s robust scholarship program sets us apart from other training centers. Explore financial support from MINT and other sources here.
-
Many students receive employer sponsorships to fund their training at MINT. Our team is available to guide both applicants and schools through this process.
-
The Alumni Continuing Education Fund provides a partial tuition scholarship for returning MINT students on select courses.
-
A two-installment payment plan is available for a service fee of $300. Contact us to discuss alternative financial arrangements.
❋
751 East 5th Avenue Mount Dora, FL 32757
Onsite Location
Mount Dora Montessori
Photo, Mount Dora Montessori
Meet the Trainer
Merry Hadden
Merry holds AMI diplomas at both the Primary and Assistants to Infancy levels, and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in business from Saint Leo College. She is also a certified infant massage instructor and childbirth educator, with training in Respiratory Autogenic Training for birth.
Her work has includes supporting AMI courses, examining, consulting, speaking, and presenting Montessori programs internationally in Canada, Vietnam, and South Africa. She has contributed to MINT's Montessori Core Principles Course. Her continued service to AMI includes work to preserve and deepen understanding of Montessori's historical approach. Read more about the Trainer.
Get in Touch
Still have questions about this course? We’re here to help!
Reach out to our Director of Operations, Mary Valdez, for more information, guidance, or assistance planning your next steps toward enrollment.
