The Montessori Partnership was set up in 1997 by Helen Prochazka and Helen Wheatley, well known and internationally respected Montessorians with considerable experience teaching children and adults of all ages, both in Montessori schools and in non-Montessori education.

Their aim was to fill a gap in the provision existing at that time for training Montessori teachers by offering more flexible and personalised training that would be of high quality, yet still remain true to the principles and ethos laid down by Maria Montessori herself.

Helen Wheatley retired from active partnership in 2004, but continues to have a consultancy brief, and the organisation is now owned and run by the Director, Helen Prochazka.

why is the organisation called a partnership?

The name was carefully chosen to reflect the modern relationship between a training provider and its adult learners. Students learn best and most effectively when they are working in partnership with their tutors towards achieving their goal of gaining a recognised and respected qualification.

the aims of the Montessori Partnership

We believe that the task of the Montessori Partnership is to ensure that each of our students fully understands and can implement the Montessori philosophy, which will equip them to manage a successful and stimulating Montessori class. With this in mind we aim to provide our students with the opportunities and resources they need to gain the necessary understanding, knowledge and practical experience to pursue a career as a Montessori teacher. 

Our students learn the skills needed to help children develop into independent individuals with strong self-esteem. Our courses explore Montessori’s thinking within the context of contemporary understanding of working with the relevant age group, and theoretical study is consolidated by directed observations of children and practical experience.

recognition, credit rating and quality assurance

In England, the Montessori Partnership Diploma in Early Years Education is listed as a level 4 qualification on the Children’s Workforce Development Council's Qualifications List for Those Delivering EYFS.

In Scotland the Montessori Partnership Diploma in Early Years Education has been credit-rated and levelled by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and appears at level 8 with 149 points on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

Nationally, as evidence of our commitment to maintaining and improving standards in Montessori training, the Montessori Partnership has submitted to Montessori Education (UK)’s Accreditation of Training Scheme, and is an ME(UK) Accredited Training Provider. 

about the director

Helen Prochazka, PhD, BA Hons, Adv. Mont. Dip., Mont. Dip., PGCE, FInstAM, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. She has a PhD in Russian, a PGCE in post-compulsory education and training, and both early years and primary Montessori diplomas. She is also qualified as an NVQ assessor for Early Years Care and Education Awards and is an EYPS (Early Years Professional Status) assessor.

She is a Council Member and past Chairman of Montessori Education (UK), the national umbrella body for Montessori. She writes on Montessori and the early years.

With a variety of teaching experiences in the UK and the Middle East, Helen first became involved in the early years when teaching in Saudi Arabia. Introduced by a colleague to the educational ideas of Montessori, she took Montessori training, and was eventually appointed Director of Studies for the Montessori St Nicholas Training Centre. She left St Nicholas in 1997 and set up the Montessori Partnership.