Waterpark Montessori - Quality as a Cornerstone

Quality Standards and Flexibility       Evaluation          Financial responsibility 

Administration          Registrar             Educational Criteria         

Teaching Staff Quality Control            Educational Control          Student Support    

Course Environment        Grievance Procedures       Management      Examination Board 

Waterpark Montessori places quality as a high priority in its training philosophy and practice.      The college operates a transparent quality programme.   Procedures are open to inspection at any time by those with a legitimate interest. Programmes and courses are conducted according to Waterpark regulations as set down in this document.

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1.       Quality Standards and Flexibility 

MAINTAINING STANDARDS

·         Quality standards are maintained by Waterpark by having clear learning objectives which can be measured against professional criteria as relevant. Delivery and assessment systems are maintained in a transparent and open manner which allow standards to be examined at all times.

 FLEXIBILITY IN TRAINING

·         Waterpark Montessori recognises that those who wish to study may be currently in varying situations in their personal lives and come from varied educational backgrounds. Flexibility is important in opening access to higher education and progression routes for adult learners. Use of the internet and holiday workshops also widens learning opportunities by allowing students from different regions to study together, sharing cultural perspectives and varied ideas.

·         Waterpark Montessori has designed study programmes which, taking advantage of modern technology, will facilitate students in a variety of situations and geographical location.   Students will be able to take the courses from their homes and in their own time, visiting centres for workshops and gaining workplace practice in their own locality.

·         Flexible training because of its innovative nature requires particularly strong quality control procedures. All learning objectives, assessment criteria, standards for evaluation, standards for teaching staff, student facilities and support systems are managed according to the regulations laid down in this document. The Waterpark Montessori Examination Board monitors this overall. It is also part of a transparency policy to make all systems and criteria available for inspection to any parties with a valid interest. 

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2.       Evaluation

·         The systems in place for delivery have been, and are continually being, researched and tested. Waterpark issues evaluation forms at the end of each short course, module or programme. Evaluation is invited from learners and tutors. Assessment of evaluation is ongoing and Waterpark makes adjustments to its programmes, courses, conditions and staff according to feedback from educational peers, students and tutors.

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3.       Financial responsibility

·         Waterpark maintains a system of financial guarantee so that students who have enrolled and paid fees are ensured that the entire course will be delivered. Once a course or programme has started Waterpark will make adequate provision within its budgetary management to make all payments necessary to complete that course or programme.

·         Fee schedules for courses or programmes are published in advance and adhered to.   Regulations on refunds are published and adhered to.  Accurate accounts of fees received and payments made are maintained at all times. If a student fails to make payments Waterpark will give a minimum of one month’s notice in writing before withdrawing that student from a course or programme.

·         Waterpark adheres to all statutory regulations regarding taxes.

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4.       Administration

·         Waterpark adheres to admission regulations which reflect the level of learning of the programmes and the level of expertise required of graduates

·         The Waterpark website, brochure and other published material reflect the ethos of the programmes, are related to the programmes available, and do not present false information.  

·         Conditions and regulations for enrolment on courses will be published in advance.

·         Rules for conduct and their enforcement will be clearly stated to students at the commencement of the course or programme. Timetables for course or module sessions and assessment presentations will be given to students at the commencement of the course or programme. Any changes to rules, timetables or location will be clearly notified to all students in advance

·         If a student does not adhere to the stated rules, Waterpark, in the person of its manager or its chief tutor, is responsible for taking appropriate action. This person may ask a student to withdraw from a course or programme if it is considered necessary for the good conduct of the course or programme.

·         Waterpark will keep accurate records of a student’s personal details, assessment marks and any personal evaluation sessions. A student is entitled to examine their personal course records at any time. Waterpark guarantees confidentiality on these records.

·         Waterpark adheres to statutory regulations on staff appointment, provision and maintenance of premises and materials, and administration procedures.

·         Grievance procedures are made available to all students and staff.

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5.       Registrar

Waterpark Montessori appoints a registrar.   This position will involve being responsible to the board of directors for the following:

·         Monitoring the legal obligations of Waterpark to students and staff.

·         Monitoring criteria in relation to recruitment, enrolment and finance for students

·         Monitoring criteria for the recruitment, support, payment and training of staff.

·         Monitoring the Waterpark management systems by which the course quality is maintained.

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6.       Educational Criteria

·         Courses are designed and written based on best practice in adult learning techniques. The delivery mechanisms encourage mature reflective practice and self-awareness. Modern technology is used to allow students to interact and reflect in a manner that supports deep understanding. Waterpark bases its training on the belief that this level of reflection and understanding is the optimum way to make the shift in attitude which is required if learning is to be effective in practice.

·         Waterpark offers ongoing tutorial support for students in their learning process, adhering to all evaluation and examination regulations which are consistently monitored by a transparent system of board examiners.  

·         Examinations and non-examination coursework will be assessed according to Waterpark regulations.

·         All programmes will maintain a high standard of educational content in the presentation of principles and practice and will incorporate available quality material without prejudice against any training programmes. Waterpark operates ongoing internal standardisation of assessment and evaluation procedures and conducts regular monitoring by comparison with other systems.

·         Each programme will have clearly stated learning aims and curriculum which are available for inspection by those with a legitimate interest. A detailed syllabus and related timetable will be prepared for each programme or module giving objectives and expected outcomes.

·         Programmes will not be run with fewer than 6 or more than 25 students, unless negotiated separately and unless Waterpark management is satisfied that the quality of the programme delivery will not be affected. A course of study will be run over a minimum of the hours as stated for each module/programme.

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7.       Teaching Staff Quality Control

·         Waterpark gives special attention to in-service training of staff both individually and in formal seminars. The emphasis is on ensuring that tutors are experts in their field but also on ensuring that they are skilled in the art of teaching adults. Given that Waterpark is training people in the skills of managing people - adults and children - it is of utmost importance that the teaching staff model good practice. 

·         Teaching for each element of the programmes or modules will be of an adequate standard and delivered by tutoring staff who satisfy the Waterpark staff criteria. 

QUALITY CONTROL ON STAFF QUALIFICATIONS

·         The ‘open’ style structure of the training programmes and the organisation ensures that Waterpark is dependant on the maintenance of clear quality criteria for all its training. Staff must deliver training according to these criteria and be able to provide evidence that they have maintained these standards.

·         Waterpark trains its staff in its own training systems which have been researched and evaluated as the best practice for training adults. Waterpark places emphasis on training systems for internet and for face to face workshop delivery. Teaching tutors are always encouraged to use their own talents, personalities and techniques to deliver courses. The systems are in place to act as a quality control but these systems allow flexibility in style.

STAFF ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

·         Staff assessment is conducted through evaluation and regular meetings with the college director. Every member of teaching staff is invited to meet the Waterpark director on a regular basis. 

·         As part of regular evaluation Waterpark will receive evaluation of its teaching staff. This evaluation will be monitored and used when assessing teaching qualities.

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8.       Educational Control

Waterpark criteria for delivery, staff and assessment are laid down. Waterpark will adhere to these at all times. The quality control procedures in place to assure this are:

·         The Examination Board monitors educational content, assessment and awards

·         The Board of Directors monitors all activities of the company

·         The Registrar monitors registration, legal, administrative, financial, staff appointment and management responsibilities

·         The criteria are maintained in a transparent open system, which can be examined by anyone with a legitimate interest.

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9.       Student Support

·         Waterpark offers students support in their learning in a variety of ways.    The flexible nature of the training programmes requires a strong web of support that will create a beneficial learning environment for the students.

·         Tutors guide the workplace component and offer ongoing support throughout the course. A tutor will also be appointed to supervise a student’s theory study via internet.     The practical workshop tutor will demonstrate practical skills and guide students in practice with these. The practical workshop tutor will also lead sessions and activities to increase self-awareness and promote student interaction.

·         Tutors will offer clear unambiguous feedback when assessing coursework, guiding the student to further learning. Coursework will be returned to students within three weeks of submission.

·         Tutors will personally guide each student through their course, providing one-to-one evaluation and encouragement, either personally or via email or telephone.

·         Tutors will be available on a regular basis for student queries personally or via email or telephone.

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10.   Course Environment

PREMISES

·         Where courses have face-to-face workshops Waterpark will provide premises and materials.   The premises will be a suitable location for adult classes. If the site is a workplace environment/school it will be of a quality standard. The premises will be of adequate size, have comfortable heat and lighting and be in good condition. Adult sized chairs will be provided for sessions involving written work. Facilities for preparing coffee/tea/snacks must be provided. A reasonable standard of health and safety will be observed within the premises and local regulations in this regard must be adhered to.

COURSE MATERIALS:

·         Waterpark will provide materials for activities or exercises demonstrated at workshops and will make them available for practice by the students during training sessions. These materials will be in good condition.

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11.   Grievance Procedures

·         The same procedures for grievances are operated for both staff and students. 

·         Student or staff grievances should be reported verbally to the person immediately responsible for them in relation to the issue concerned. The person responsible should attempt to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both parties.

·         If the issue is not resolved both parties should put in writing an account of the grievance and how they have attempted to resolve it.

·         The issue may then be brought, in writing, to the attention of the person at the next level of responsibility. (See chart). They will attempt to resolve the grievance involving all parties concerned.

·         This procedure may be continued if a resolution is not found. If the matter reaches the Managing Director and cannot be resolved it may be referred in writing to the Board of Directors of Waterpark Montessori, acting as a quality control committee for this purpose. This quality control committee must refer the grievance to the Examination Board if it is an academic matter which they are not qualified to deal with.

·         A formal grievance will not be considered by the Board of Directors or the Examination Board unless submitted in writing to the board within 6 months of the original grievance.    Grievances related to awards should be submitted at least two months before the Examination Board meeting in October each year.

·         The decision of the Board of Directors is final. Awards made by the Examination Board are final. 

PERSONNEL “CHAIN” FOR REPORTING GRIEVANCE

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12.   Management

MANAGING DIRECTOR

·         All programme design, implementation and quality control is the responsibility of the managing director, reporting to the board. The managing director follows the academic recommendations of the examination board.

·         The managing director is Clare Healy, Montessori Diploma, MA in Educational Management

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OWNER BOARD

Waterpark Montessori is a subsidiary of Waterpark Training Services Limited, Ireland.   The board of the owner company is represented on the board of Waterpark Montessori in Norway. Waterpark Montessori AS, in Norway, with operations also in Sweden, is managed by an owner board of directors. This board is responsible for the legal and financial conduct of the business affairs of the company. 

·         John Hyland, Chairman, representative of Waterpark Training

·         Gunnar Talen, Norway

·         Clare Healy, Managing Director

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS - COLLEGE BOARD

The college board is responsible for managing the direction of Waterpark Montessori within Norway and Sweden.  This board consists of:

·         Chairman – John Hyland, Ireland

·         Managing director – Clare Healy

·         The three members of the Examination Board

·         A representative of staff

·         A representative of students

·         A representative of Oslo Montessori Skole

·         A representative of the owner company – Waterpark Training, Ireland

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13.   Examination Board

Educational control is maintained by means of an examination board. Waterpark Montessori appoints this board from qualified representatives of Montessori and other education drawn from Ireland and Scandinavia. The board monitors Waterpark Montessori programmes and examinations. It meets annually and validates examination procedures and awards. In 2009 the board is composed of:

·         Bjørn Damsgaard. Associate Professor, Eik Teacher Training College, Vestfold, Norway

·         Francis Douglas, Professor Early Childhood Studies, University College Cork, Ireland

·         Britta Bring, Director, Swedish Montessori Institute, Gothenburg, Sweden.

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