New course format
The orientation course (formerly assistant course) now consists of two parts. This allows the different needs of different prospective students to be better accommodated and met.
This new format has been developed and certified by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale).
| Part 1 Orientation Course | Online | Theory: Introduction to the Montessori philosophy, basics of Montessori education Course content | AMI Certificate Orientation Course |
| Part 2, option 1 Assistant Course | On site | Practice: Implementation of the theory in the classroom Course content | AMI Certificate Assistant Course |
| Part 2, option 2 Parent Course | On site | Practice: Implementation of the theory at home Course content | Certificate of participation from Montessori CH |
The following course combinations are possible:
Part 1 only: graduation with an AMI certificate for the orientation course.
Part 1 and part 2: graduation with an AMI certificate for the orientation course and the assistant course
Course dates Part 1 Orientation Course | Spring 2025 (online)
| Mon. 13.10.2025, Wed. 15.10.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
| Mon. 20.10.2025, Wed. 22.10.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
| Mon. 27.10.2025, Wed. 29.10.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
| Mon. 03.11.2025, Wed. 05.11.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
| Mon. 10.11.2025, Wed. 12.11.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
| Mon. 17.11.2025, Wed. 19.11.2025 | 6:00–9:00 PM |
Additionally 20 hours are to be fulfilled individually as assignments
Course dates Part 2: Assistant Course | Spring 2025 (on site)
| Sat. 23.05.2026 | 09.00-16.00 |
| Sun. 24.05.2026 | 09.00-15.00 |
+12 hours of practical application of theory (working in a Montessori institution)
Course costs
Part 1, Orientation Course: CHF 980.-
Part 2, Assistant Course: CHF 380.-
Trainer: Mariza Hefty
Mariza Hefty is an early childhood educator / kindergarten teacher and AMI Director of Training for the 3-6 year old child. She received her AMI 3-6 diploma from the Montessori International Training Center in Munich, Germany. She began her career in early childhood education, during which time she worked in various daycare centers and managed her own daycare for many years. She is the mother of twins who went to a Montessori school starting in 2005. Since that time, she has helped establish several Montessori children’s homes in Switzerland as a lead classroom teacher.Mariza has advanced Montessori education in Switzerland through her work as a board member of Montessori CH and through her contribution to the establishment of the new training center in Zurich. For the training center, Mariza conducts many parent and teacher training workshops and quite a few orientation courses. For the past ten years, Mariza has organized and supported the AMI Diploma Courses 3-6 for Montessori CH. She has consulted with several Montessori children’s homes in Switzerland to improve prepared environments and help teachers manage the classroom. Outside of her Montessori activities, she works a small stint as a lecturer at the vocational schools in Zurich and Lucerne for the training to become a specialist in childcare.
She is currently teaching her first AMI 3-6 Diploma course in Schönenwerd and is on the road as a Montessori Children’s House Consultant in various settings. Her mentors were: Marja-Leena Tyrvainen, Irene Fafalios and Shannon Helfrich. With her life partner Markus, she goes on many hikes in her free time, loves to dance for a living and loves to sit comfortably on the sofa with her 2 cats and get engrossed in a reading.
Sign up here: application form