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.

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Application

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.

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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

  • $10,000
    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

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.

Meet the Trainer

Merry Hadden

Merry Hadden is an AMI 0–3 Trainer, Examiner, and Consultant whose Montessori journey began in 1973. She completed her AMI Primary training in Calcutta, India, and later graduated from the first AMI Assistants to Infancy course in Rome, where she studied under Dr. Silvana Montanaro and Gianna Gobbi.

In 1983, Merry founded Montessori at Roseborough in Mount Dora, Florida, to serve children and families in her community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business and is also certified in infant massage and childbirth education. Her work is grounded in more than five decades of study, practice, school leadership, and adult education, with a particular interest in helping families understand the profound importance of the first years of life. Read more about the Trainer.

MINT Director of Operations, Mary Valdez

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.

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