Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Since the extraordinary achievements of the AMNC (2011) version, many changes have taken place regarding curriculum in Australia and internationally, with educators required to align their work to across more subjects and explain progressions and processes more effectively. The 2025 AMNC builds on this early work and branches out to map to the Australian Curriculum requirements. The Overviews and Introductions provided to each learning plane and many subjects explain this is more detail. The curriculum has been developed for trained Montessori educators working in prepared environments with a full complement of Montessori materials.

  • The AMNC is recognised as an alternative curriculum framework by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/curriculum/recommendation-for-recognition-of-alternative-curriculum-framework-montessori.pdf).

    ACARA approval provides: ‍

    • National credibility and confidence within Australia’s educational landscape
    • Regulatory confidence
    • Assurance for Boards and compliance bodies
    • A clear framework for registration requirements

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  • Because it spans birth to 18 years, the AMNC provides:

    • Vertical curriculum coherence
    • Developmental continuity
    • Clear progression across planes

    This supports strategic school planning and whole-school documentation.

  • It’s the official online version of the Australian Montessori National Curriculum, which outlines Montessori educational programmes across all developmental planes from birth through adolescence.

  • Yes — the AMNC is freely accessible online.

    The AMNC was intentionally published as an open-access document so that Montessori schools, educators, and families can use it without financial barriers.  Equity and excellence are at the forefront of our mission ensuring every learner can access high‑quality curriculum materials regardless of socioeconomic background. Free access supports this national goal.

  • Currently, downloadable copies of each section are being prepared, and members of Montessori Australia will have access to a printable version of the 2025 curriculum. Others are encouraged to stay updated via the Montessori Australia site.

  • Membership (through Montessori Australia) provides:

    Curriculum‑related benefits

    • Access to mapping and planning templates

    • Updates when the curriculum is revised or when new resources are added

    Discounted access to:

    • Professional learning on how to align AMNC with ACARA v9

    • Collaborative and networking opportunities with other Montessori schools using the AMNC

    • Support with compliance and documentation

  • The AMNC is intended as a curriculum framework and guide that supports the preparation of learning environments, choice of learning materials, and sequencing of developmental experiences. Educators should integrate it with Montessori training, prepared environments, and classroom observation to individualise learning.

    ‍A practical start could include:

    Step 1 — Read and engage with the AMNC

    Understand the structure: developmental planes, learning areas, outcomes, and alignment with ACARA. Be sure to engage with the Overviews and Introductory text as this captures the essence of the learning and guidance.

    ‍Step 2 — Audit your current practice ‍

    Compare your existing Montessori environments and materials with the AMNC expectations. Montessori Registered is a program we run which provides excellent guidance. Check out more about the program at www.montessoriregistered.org.au. If you have any questions please reach out to registered@montessori.org.au.

    ‍Step 3 — Train your staff

    Ensure educators understand Montessori pedagogy and the AMNC’s alignment with national standards. Australia has various Montessori training options and we encourage you to explore those best suited for your context and needs at Montessori Training – Montessori Australia. In coming months, we will be building additional and targeted  professional learning available through Montessori Training Australia to assist schools and centres (See https://www.montessoritraining.org.au/collections/courses) with understanding and implementing the AMNC and with compliance needs. 

    Step 4 — Develop documentation

    Use AMNC-aligned planning templates, scope and sequence charts, and assessment tools to suit your particular context.

    ‍Step 5 — Communicate with your regulatory authority

    Most regulatory bodies need to know how the AMNC meets (or, in some cases) exceeds ACARA v9 requirements. The mapping documents and resources available can assist in this regard. The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Declaration (2019) emphasises the use of a coherent, high‑quality curriculum delivery and continuous improvement. The intentionally prepared environment and a structured implementation of the AMNC supports this.

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  • We are proud of the AMNC and are delighted that it may be used AMNC internationally. The precedent has been already set in Ukraine, Slovenia and other countries across the globe. Please reach out to Montessori Australia at info@montessori.org.au or curriculum@montessori.org.au to discuss how this can take place.

  • The MNC emphasises personalised learning and supporting diverse pathways. Home‑schooling fits this perfectly. Montessori education is deeply compatible with home‑based learning in being child‑led, hands‑on, flexible and responsive to developmental needs

    Home‑schoolers may typically use the AMNC

    • As a scope and sequence to guide learning

    • To ensure your child meets comparable outcomes to ACARA v9

    • To plan Montessori‑aligned lessons and activities

    • To document progress for home‑schooling authorities

  • Short answer:

    Yes — the AMNC is already recognised as an alternative curriculum framework that meets or exceeds ACARA v9 expectations.

    What this means in practice

    • You don’t need to teach ACARA v9 separately

    • You do need to show how your AMNC program meets the same learning outcomes

    • Most Montessori schools do this through mapping documents

    It is important that you engage with your local regulatory authority early in your implementation to discuss requirements and expectations and ways to effectively communicate the broad yet personalised nature of the deep learning and integrated nature of the AMNC and Montessori practice.

    ‍Currently the AMNC is recognised as an alternative framework across the following Learning areas from Foundation to Year 10: ‍

    • English • Mathematics • Science • Humanities and Social Sciences • Health and Physical Education • The Arts.

    As the AMNC does not include a Technologies equivalent learning area, it is recommended that schools teach the Australian Curriculum: Technologies (or local curriculum) in conjunction with Montessori guidelines and support materials as presented in the AMNC. (See https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/curriculum/recommendation-for-recognition-of-alternative-curriculum-framework-montessori.pdf for more details. We are also currently working on materials to assist schools across this and other areas.

  • ‍We envision the AMNC online as a dynamic and useful resource. Shared wisdom and practical resources can only strengthen our practice and collaboration across the Montessori community. Any intellectual property will be acknowledged.

    If you have anything you think could be included or have any questions:

    • Contact the AMNC team at curriculum@montessori.org.au‍ ‍

    • Provide your resource with a description and intended age/plane

    • Ensure it aligns with Montessori pedagogy and the AMNC outcomes

    • The AMNC team will review submissions for quality and authenticity

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