FAQs

WMI Diplomas are intense study programmes of approximately 2.5 year span – equivalent of 1 year full time university study. They are much longer than our short online courses.

The time limit for a practical, theory, or classroom practice module is 2 years.
The study time for the diploma programme is 3 years. 
Students may apply for an extension of study time after the time limit is up.  
An extension of 1 year will be granted on grounds of certain unusual circumstances such as illness. An administration fee applies. A maximum of two extensions of one year each will be granted whatever the circumstances. 
After this period (5 years in total for a diploma) a student must re-enroll and pay for any incomplete modules. All coursework and attendance (online and onsite) must also be repeated completely if more than 5 years have elapsed.

WMI holds international accredited status for its 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and 12-18 Diploma programmes from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)
Diploma is awarded after successful completion of all 4 modules. Additionally, after successful completion of each module, an award letter is issued. Upon request, we also issue certificates of attendance for our materials workshops.

WMI does not give grades for assignments and exams.
Uploaded assignments and those submitted at workshops will be assigned to a tutor and assessed based on the criteria listed in the assessment form. Results will be one of the following:
S (Satisfactory): Assignment meets all criteria. A category is satisfactory when a minimum of 60% is achieved.
R (Repeat): Assignment does not meet some or all of the criteria. You must submit a new and/or improved assignment based on the guidance given by the assessor in the returned assignment.
NS (Not Satisfactory): The assignment has been submitted three times without achieving an S result. In the event of an NS result, your tutor will consult with the Pedagogical Leader and the Examiner Board to plan a course of action to enable you to complete your studies.

Waterpark Montessori welcomes everyone to start their Montessori journey. General entry criteria: At least one year of third level education OR three years of relevant experience; a good standard of English – written and verbal; verification documents (CV and certificate of highest educational attainment); a certificate of police authorisation; sufficient computer literacy to use our online learning platform. For more information please see Entry Criteria under STUDY PROGRAMMES (https://waterparkmontessori.com/entry-requirements/). 

Please note that WMI is an international college, and the main course language is English. However, since Oslo is our main centre, we also provide a lot of information in Norwegian. Students can communicate and submit their written work in Norwegian. We also accept submissions in Swedish, German, Italian, and Polish.

The average number of study hours throughout a module is approximately 10-20 hours per week. However, during our on-site workshops the hour requirement is approximately 8 hours per day.

The diploma study is mostly online, but according to MACTE criteria we also require on-site attendance in one of our centres: Oslo, Norway (main centre, all age groups); Stockholm, Sweden (3-6 and 6-9 age group); Birkirkara, Malta (0-3 and 3-6); Cape Town, South Africa (6-9 age group), and Nairobi, Kenya (3-6 age group, accreditation in progress). During the course of study there are 4 on-site workshops. Each practical module includes 2 on-site workshops: 7 days materials workshop and 3 days exam workshop (+ 1 day Exam Day).

The information about the fees can be found under STUDY PROGRAMMES (Fees https://waterparkmontessori.com/fees/). It is possible to pay for one module at a time. We also propose monthly instalments as well as group discounts and Early Bird offers. Prices are shown in Norwegian Kroner NOK and in EURO for OTHER AREAS. Please use currency converter if necessary.

To find a list of compulsory and recommended reading for all modules and age groups see Reading List under STUDY PROGRAMMES (https://waterparkmontessori.com/reading-for-theory-module/)

Please check our website for details of our fees:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248

The Foundation award is designed to allow learners to take additional time to reach the more challenging academic goals of the full WMI diploma award (MACTE accredited). WMI wants to give recognition to those that have successfully completed parts of the programme but are not yet ready to complete all the academic goals.  

The Foundation award is not a full Montessori teaching diploma but prepares learners to work in a Montessori environment under the guidance of fully qualified Montessori educators.    

No, the Foundation award is not MACTE accredited. On completion of the Foundation programme learners will receive a Waterpark Montessori award. They can upgrade this to a MACTE diploma by completing all of the necessary elements. Please contact us to discuss this further.

  • Foundation includes approximately half of the study hours of a full diploma. 
  • Foundation includes all the onsite/residency hours of a full diploma. 
  • Foundation requires 20 hours internship; full diploma requires 400 hours internship. 
  • Foundation does not include the more academic assignments of a diploma. Should a learner choose to complete the diploma, they can complete the upgrade assignments within three years. This allows them to avail of extended study time and practice opportunities, to gain the necessary academic skills. 
  • Yes. Should a learner choose to complete the MACTE diploma, they can complete the upgrade assignments within three years. This allows them to avail of extended study time and practice opportunities, to gain the necessary academic skills. 
  • Upgrade to a full diploma will be on a schedule set by the local co-ordinator and the WMI registrar. 
  • All elements of the upgrade, that is elements not included in the Foundation level, are completed and submitted online. 
  • Foundation plus the upgrade is the same programme as the MACTE accredited diploma.

Please check out our website for details of our fees:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248
  • Montessori Pathways is a system of study where you can choose to study individual units of Montessori theory or practical or you can complete a package of study units.
  • Montessori Pathways gives you the freedom to choose study units that comprehensively cover Montessori theory and practice.
  • Choose to study one unit, a few or a package of units. Choose between Montessori theory or practical or do both.
  • They can be studied in your own time and you can add more units as you go. So how much you want to study and at what pace is up to you.

We offer modules of study from 0-18 years.

Yes. These units of study are 100% online.

Yes. We are available with email support during business hours. We also have a monthly online live Q&A session with one of our tutors. This will also feature a short inspirational lecture.

If a complete package of theory and practical units are completed for a particular age group these can be converted to a Montessori diploma by attending workshops in one of our Waterpark Montessori locations and completing assignments and exams.

Yes you will receive a Waterpark Montessori Certificate of Completion upon request.

You can start anytime. Just purchase the unit through the shop on our website and we will activate you and send you a username and password to log-in to our online learning platform.

Our online platform has access to hundreds of videos demonstrating the practical Montessori activities. These can be watched as many time as you like to give you confidence in working with the Montessori materials.

If you choose an individual unit you have a year to complete. If you choose a package you have 3 years to complete this.

There are self assessments to complete at the end of each section. The assessments are for the student to assess their own knowledge and will not be corrected by a tutor. They can be done at the students own pace.

Please see our website for the prices of individual units and packages:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248

Montessori for Life is our selection of short 100% online courses. It currently includes:

  • The Assisting Montessori Educator
  • Montessori Leadership
  • Montessori & Special Needs

Yes. These units of study are 100% online.

There are self assessments to complete at the end of each section. The assessments are for the student to assess their own knowledge and will not be corrected by a tutor. They can be done at the students own pace.

You can start anytime. Just purchase the course through the shop on our website and we will activate you and send you a username and password to log-in to our online learning platform.

Yes you will receive a Waterpark Montessori Certificate of Completion upon request.

You have one year to complete this study.

Yes. We are available with email support during business hours. We also have a monthly online live Q&A session with one of our tutors. This will also feature a short inspirational lecture.

Please check our website for the cost of the fees of each course:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248

We offer tailored help and advice from our Montessori professionals in the following ways:

  • Classroom consultations (in-person or online)
  • Staff CPD training
  • Montessori workshops on different topics at your school
  • Parent education sessions

Yes. We travel to you to provide a tailored service that suits your school’s needs. We do also offer online sessions.

We can travel to your school anywhere in the world once we have a tutor available for your needs and you can cover the cost of their travel and subsistence.

Please see our website for our different packages:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248

FLEX RECORD is an online planning, recording and management system, designed by Montessori teachers for Montessori schools, who wanted to focus on ‘doing Montessori’.

Flex helps you…

  • Maintain Montessori principles in your classroom
  • Meet government requirements
  • Know exactly what each of your pupils has completed and what they still have to complete
  • Allow freely chosen activity
  • Follow the child!

Flex Record is used daily to…

  • Plan presentations
  • Record pupil activity
  • Keep observation logs
  • Track student progress
  • Mark attendance
  • Keep parents informed
  • And more…
  • It includes core Montessori activities for all age groups – use our preloaded activity lists, create your own or combine to suit your class
  • Calendar – view and edit plans at a glance
  • SMS notification system
  • Quick and easy reporting

Please check our website for our prices:

Also feel free to contact us on info@waterparkmontessori.com or +47 48 195 248