ECCE vs Montessori: which course should I choose?
Choose ECCE if you want a broad understanding of care and education from birth to six, including infant and toddler development, health and family support. Choose Montessori if you want to teach using the Montessori method, usually with ages 3 to 6. Both are offered at APTTI at Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma levels with the same fees.
What this means in practice
ECCE is a sector-wide qualification; Montessori is a specialism within early childhood education.
Fit by career goal
- Day care, infant care, parent education: ECCE
- Montessori schools: Montessori
- General preschools: either, or NTT
Combining courses
Some teachers take ECCE first for breadth, then Montessori for method.
Career outcomes
ECCE graduates often work in day care, creches, preschools and parent programmes. Montessori graduates often work in Montessori houses and Montessori-inspired preschools. Both work in general preschools and pre-primary sections of schools.
What to do next
- Define your target workplace.
- Compare topic lists.
- Enrol at your level.
What to keep in mind
Check what your target employers ask for.
Common follow-up questions
Does ECCE include Montessori?
ECCE covers several approaches; Montessori training goes deeper into the method.
Same fee for ECCE and Montessori?
Yes, at APTTI both follow the same fee tiers.
Sources
Course facts come from APTTI's published course pages. Examples use made-up names. How these answers are prepared.