EYLF Integration Course: Aligning Authentic Montessori Practice with the EYLF (2025)

Snapshot

What:Total Sessions: 11

– 6 × Live Online (mandatory)
– 2 × Recorded On-Demand (released for 4 weeks)
– 2 × Working Group Sessions (optional but recommended)
– 1 × Final Q&A Session (optional “Ask Amy!”)
When:Commences: 24 February 2025
Ends: November 2025 (last session is optional).
Live Sessions: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra) on scheduled Monday evenings, generally twice a term.
Trainer:Amy Kirkham, 3–6 AMI Trainer
Designed for:– Educators in early years environments
– School and centre leaders
Total time:– 22 hours of delivered content
– 12 hours live online, 4 hours recorded, 6 optional live online hours
Format:Live online via zoom; recorded sessions are released on-demand for 4 weeks
Cost:Course Price: $550 (AUD) plus GST (pay upfront or in 5 instalments of $110 plus GST)

Small Centres: $390 (AUD) plus GST (organisations with 60 students or less).

Returning Participant Discount: 50%. Use discount code RETURN50 at checkout.
*All times are AEST or AEDT which is the timezone for Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
**GST is not applicable for non residents

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Course Overview

Gain the confidence and clarity to demonstrate how authentic Montessori practice meets and exceeds the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) standards.

Over eleven sessions, you will explore Quality Area 1 (Educational Program and Practice) of the ELYF in depth—including each element of Standards 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3—and develop a strong working knowledge of how Montessori practice naturally aligns with EYLF outcomes. We will also consider Quality Areas 2 (Children’s Health and Safety) and 5 (Relationships with Children) for a well-rounded understanding of the EYLF’s expectations.

This course is highly practical, featuring real-world examples and guidance to help educators and educational leaders in early years and childcare settings enhance their skills and knowledge to fulfil the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) standards without compromising authentic Montessori practice.

What You Will Gain

  • Confidence in articulating how the Montessori practice and principles align with EYLF principles.
  • Practical Implementation strategies to embed or realign EYLF requirements in your daily Montessori environment.
  • Ideas and Examples on changes and improvements that work for your centre through practical real-life examples, interactive discussions, working groups, and a final Q&A session with Amy.
  • In the optional sessions, communication skills to effectively explain your curriculum decisions to families, peers, and regulatory bodies and to obtain feedback from Amy.

Who Should Attend

  • Montessori educators and educational leaders in early childhood and childcare settings.
  • Those who wish to strengthen their understanding of EYLF standards and its alignment and interaction with Montessori practice.
  • 2024 participants looking to refresh and deepen their knowledge (discounted re-enrolment options available).

2025 Course Highlights

  1. Focus on Quality Area 1: A deep dive into each element of Standards 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3, exploring how Montessori practices naturally align with EYLF requirements.
  2. Additional Exploration: Address aspects of Quality Area 2 (Children’s Health and Safety) and Quality Area 5 (Relationships with Children).
  3. Working Group Sessions (Optional): Collaborate in small groups to discuss real classroom challenges and solutions as well as Amy’s insights
  4. Final Q&A Session (Optional): An end-of-year “Ask Amy!” session to clarify any lingering questions.

2025 Focus – EYLF Quality Area 1

In 2025, our focus is on Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice. We will consider each element of standards 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 to gain a comprehensive understanding of these benchmarks and how these are reflected in our Montessori environments.

What else can you expect?

  • Expect valuable practical examples! We’ll bridge the gap between theory and practice, illustrating how Montessori philosophy and practice naturally aligns with EYLF principles.
  • Revisit Montessori principles and have the confidence in implementing these, while also fulfilling or exceeding the EYLF.
  • Practice how to effectively communicate the alignment between Montessori practice and the EYLF to educators, parents and regulators alike.

We will also address aspects of Quality Area 2 (Children’s Health and Safety) and Quality Area 5 (Relationships with Children).

Course Structure

This course is run in sessions across the year, generally two to three a term, with each running for about 2 hours in the evening. Each session builds on those before it.

In between the sessions, we recommend participants take the opportunity to implement the learnings from the last session so that over the course of the year, there is a continued alignment of the Montessori practice in your classroom or classrooms with the standards.

Session structure:

  • Each of the 6 mandatory live online sessions will have about 15 minutes of question opportunity.
  • The 2 optional live online sessions will involve small group work (and opportunity to share with colleagues) and question time with the trainer.
  • The last optional session is a Q&A session with the trainer. It provides an opportunity to clarify or ask any lingering questions through the year and should focus on your experiences across the year. Questions are to be provided in advance so that they can be answered in a way which benefits the entire group.

Schedule

SessionDateFormatTime
Session 1Monday 24 February 2025Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEDT)
Session 2Monday 10 March 2025Recorded**6.30pm-8.30pm (AEDT)
Session 3Monday 7 April 2025Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 4Monday 12 May 2025Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 5Monday 26 May 2025 (Optional)Live online 6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 6Monday 9 June 2025Recorded**6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 7Monday 11 August 2025Live online 6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 8Monday 25 August 2025 (Optional)Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 9Monday 15 September 2025Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEST)
Session 10Monday 20 October 2025Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEDT)
Session 11Monday 10 November 2025 (Optional)Live online6.30pm-8.30pm (AEDT)
* all times are in AEST or AEDT, as noted, the timezone for Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
** Recorded content is made available on the date noted above and is available to review on-demand for 4 weeks.

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Award

Participants achieving 90% attendance will receive a certificate of completion from SMTC. Alternatively, participants will receive a letter confirming sessions attended if less than 90%.