Montessori Education UK (MEUK), the national umbrella organisation which represents many Montessori training centres, has requested a meeting with the DfEE to discuss fears that the qualifications will not be recognised because they do not appear on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's accredited early years framework. Two Conservative MPs, Patrick Nicholls and Christopher Chope, have expressed their support.
MEUK chairman Helen Prochazka said although there were rumours that Montessori qualifications might not be recognised under the new national care standards, there was nothing in writing to back this up. But she said there was no need to panic. 'Faced with a shortage of trained and qualified early childhood workers, the Government is not about to disqualify six per cent of its trained national workforce.'
Mrs Prochaska said she was worried that the special nature of Montessori was not being acknowledged and added, 'The framework shows qualifications at levels 2 and 3 and Montessori qualifications are at level 4.'
Barbara Isaacs, college chief executive of Montessori Centre International, a London-based centre, shared her concerns. 'Despite the wonderful reputation we have from Ofsted, different Montessori schools are being told by local authorities that their qualifications will not be recognised,' she said.
A QCA spokesperson said that the QCA has not yet had qualifications submitted for accreditation by any Montessori organisation and, alongside DfEE, is looking for ways to work with all Montessori groups so a submission can be made.
* The Edexcel BTec Intermediate Diploma, National Certificate and National Diploma in Early Years are not on the qualifications framework. However, they have been submitted for inclusion. An Edexcel spokeswoman said, 'The QCA has indicated it should happen soon.'
