Introducing the Montessori 0-3 Directress-in-Training program at Family Star:

Family Star now offers a comprehensive training program for individuals interested in a career as a Montessori 0-3 Directress.

·        Complete your AMS or AMI internship working full time in one of our beautiful Montessori infant/toddler environments.

·        Be trained and supervised by certified and experienced Family Star Montessori Mentors.

·        Experience the diverse learning community of an Early Head Start program at one of ourDenver locations.

Directress-in-training positions will be available from January 2008; accepting applications now for the 2008-9 school year.

Contact Sonia Bauduy at  sbauduy@familystar.net for more information.

Family Star welcomes students from both AMI and AMS training programs, and can provide Supervising Directresses/Mentors with either certification to support your internship.

Family Star will walk you through the AMS/AMI application process. Which is the right credential for you? Read on...

AMS (American Montessori Society) at MECR (Montessori Education Center of the Rockies) Infant Toddler Credential, Boulder, Colorado.

Major curriculum areas are presented during the summer Academic Phase. All courses include a nine-month Student Teaching Practicum. Practicum students work under the supervision of qualified Montessori teachers at cooperating schools and are usually paid a small stipend. 

Academic work is completed at seminars held on weekends during the practicum. Students must complete competency evaluations at each seminar. All courses include a strong Observation component with assignments to be completed during the summer and the practicum.

Work with infants and toddlers provides an unparalleled view of the marvel of early human development. MECR students learn to interact appropriately in environments specially designed to make the most of the child's tremendous potential in these early years. Emphasis is placed on the role of the caregiver as an assistant to child and the family in the development of positive adult-child relationships.

 

 

AMI (Assistants to Infancy) Program, TMI (The Montessori Institute), Denver, Colorado.

The Montessori Assistants to Infancy Training began in 1947 in Rome . Based on thousands of hours of observation of infants and very young children, the work predated many contemporary findings, including self-hypnosis for childbirth, gentle birth, the awareness of infants, the importance of touch and communication - and of language and music and joy in the environment. Open space and interesting objects encourage free movement and exploration. Special clothing, furnishings and toys, made with careful attention to detail, are designed in response to the observed needs of the infant.

In 1980, Dr. Silvana Montanaro, a psychiatrist who had lectured on the Roman courses, integrated the training with current research and brought it to the United States the following year as an AMI diploma course.

Assistants to Infancy students are prepared to work with parents perinatally, assist with the infant at birth, prepare beautiful and responsive environments, work in infant and toddler communities in schools and day care settings, in hospitals - wherever children under age three are found.

Assistants to Infancy courses are two summers long, with assignments in the intervening winter. During the summer sessions, students prepare their own reference manuals (albums) and timelines of child development. Some hand-made materials are required (you may be surprised by your hidden abilities). Progressive relaxation sessions are offered daily.

June 11 - August 3, 2008

The first summer's work begins with an overview of Montessori theory and practice, following the child's natural development and focusing on the period from conception to age three. Obstetrics, hygiene, and nutrition cover the anatomy and physiology of reproduction, fetal development, birth, health issues, and the puerperium (the first eight weeks after birth). We consider the preparation of supportive and beautiful environments and their adaptation to the child's changing needs; emphasis is on the home and family environment, but easily applied to group settings. During the intervening winter, students complete 250 hours of observation of children from birth to three, at home and in group settings. Each student works with children in either a Nido or Infant Community, and is visited for support and evaluation by a course staff member, either in Denver or at one's own location. Travel and lodging expenses are the student's responsibility.

June 9 - August 8, 2009

The second summer adds a study of child neuropsychiatry and of environments for children from 12 to 36 months in an Infant Community (out-of-home setting), including appropriate materials and activities.

Family Star Early Head Start

0-3 Directress in Training

Program Description:

To be eligible for this training program Family Star requires that you have recent experience working with children under three years of age and the desire to obtain AMI or AMS Montessori certification. You must also be group leader qualified as described by the Colorado Department of Social Services. You will be in paid training for 40 hours/week, year round in a Family Star Infant or Toddler environment with stipend leave to attend the AMI or AMS training program during the summer months.

Minimum Education/Experience Requirements:

Child Development Associate (CDA).  Must obtain or be working towards a minimum of an Associates Degree in ECE within one year of hire.  Must have (or be willing to obtain within 30 days of hire) Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, Safe Food Handlers certification.

Preferred Education/Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education. Experience working with infants and toddlers in a group care setting. Experience working with adults from a diverse population. Experience in supervising assisting staff/leading a classroom team.

AREAS OF TRAINING: Training will include, but not be limited to, the following:

I.   INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN

·         How to balance the structure of the environment so that self-discipline and independence can develop.

·         How to treat the children with dignity, respect and with sensitivity to their cultural and socio-economic background.

·         How to help children to become aware of their role as integral members of the group; how to trust that the child is able to do things by themselves.

·         How to be responsible for ensuring the safety, health, physical and social/emotion well being of the children at all times.

·         How to gear the individual curriculum to meet the needs of the individual children with concern for their interests, special needs, temperament, special talents and individual style/pace of learning.

II.   CLASSROOM PRACTICES

·         How to plan, supervise and implement the curriculum for the children in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the school.

·         How to oversee and assist in daily maintenance and cleaning of the environment.

·         How to monitor for safety indoors and outdoors to ensure adults are positioned and spaced so that all children are safely supervised.

·         How to oversee the completion of all child-related paperwork on a daily basis.

·         How to oversee the service of all meals according to the standards of Child and Adult Care Food Program.

·         How to be responsible for the ordered arrangement, appearance, decor, and safety of the learning environment of the classroom.

·          How to oversee and delegate responsibilities to keep the environment in order: appropriately supplied and in good repair, rotating classroom materials on a regular basis.

III.  WORKING WITH FAMILIES

·         How to schedule and complete all regular conferences, home visits, phone calls, monthly curriculum journals and developmental screenings as needed for each child in a timely manner.

·         How to establish a positive relationship with families of children in the program.

·         How to involve families in curriculum planning and implementation, in the Montessori environment and actively encourage/support family participation in program activities.

·         How to communicate with FCP/CHAD/ Health & Nutrition Coordinator/ Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator to help families gain access to community resources and receive needed support.

·         How to provide after hours child care when required and present curriculum/guidance topics as needed at Family Night.

IV.  RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOL/CLASSROOM PERSONNEL

·         How to implement changes requested by supervisor in a timely manner.

·         How to manage staffing of the classroom with the exception of personal illness;  assist as requested in managing school-wide staffing; work closely with sister classroom to share responsibilities, including staffing.

·         How to follow policies regarding sick or injured children.  Prepare written accident/injury reports, follow-up with parents, administration etc.

V.  LEADERSHIP SKILLS

·         How to attend and participate in all scheduled staff meetings, parent night meetings, in-service training days and in-service training weeks.

·         How to conduct a weekly In-Room Staff Meeting and/or a sister classroom meeting on Professional Development Days.

·         How to assist in the hiring/orientation and ongoing training of classroom staff, including regular one-on-ones, observations/feedback on job performance and updating Personnel Files.

·         How to supervise the assisting teachers, including helping them to follow policies and procedures.

·         How to conduct Performance Evaluations for classroom staff members at designated times.

·         How to demonstrate creativity in finding new and better ways to do things and seek to improve the program.

·         How to assist in public relations events involving the school.

·         How to demonstrate proper judgment and decision-making skills regularly and in crisis.

VI.  PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         How to write a professional development plan yearly, and assist classroom staff in developing their professional development plans.

·         How to maintain and update a Personnel File with Education & HR Coordinator. How to participate in recommended training programs, educational conferences and other courses pertinent to professional growth.

·         How to maintain confidentiality with families and staff.

·         How to be punctual with regular attendance & follow program procedures.

·         How to maintain a positive work attitude, share information with appropriate persons or supervisors.

·         How to be a positive role model for staff and families in the program.

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical actions:

-kneeling            -bending        -sitting on the floor  

-pushing             -pulling          -rising from kneeling/sitting position

-running             -jumping        -raising arms above the head

-mopping            -dancing        -twisting at the waist

-sweeping          -singing         -lifting and carrying children up to age 6

VII. MEANS OF EVALUATION

You will be observed and given feedback on a daily basis by a Montessori certified Directress/Mentor who will carry out a formal evaluation after 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months of training. During your Montessori internship phase you will be assigned to a Montessori certified field advisor who will carry out detailed observations of you and your work with children. You will receive written reports on your progress and will be supported in setting goals for your development. As part of your AMS and AMI certification there will be periodic written assignments and formal examinations.