'The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world' so the saying goes based on the poem by William Ross Wallace which praises Motherhood as the driving force capable of changing the world.
And in this day and age of fast paced living and changing values one vital factor that no conscientious parent would want to compromise on is the quality of care a child receives in the course of preschool education. Therefore an early childhood educator is also very much a caregiver.

According to the pioneer of Absorbent Mind Teacher Training Centre, Mrs. Padma Jeewandara, it is these very values and outlooks that have become the fundamentals in conceiving the Institute.

The early childhood teacher training centre was inaugurated on February 7 2009 and has recently produced its first batch, who was awarded their Diploma certificates at the awards ceremony held on September 19 at the Fingara Club. The occasion was graced by Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake as the chief guest.

The combination of AMI (Association of Montessori International) and Early Childhood Education provides a wealth of skills development in participants who gain hands-on experience in addition to the theoretical knowledge; a very productive method of training while learning, remarks Mrs. Jeewandara. These methods are intended to address the child's mentality and develop a productive child centred education.

The "Absorbent mind" a word conceptualized by Dr. Maria Montessori, is the stage where children between two and a half to six years of age grow up physically and intellectually and subconsciously learn to perform acts such as walking and talking. The Absorbent Mind Teacher Training Centre provides its trainees teaching practice in a well equipped Montessori recognised with international standards having certified membership in the Montessori Association of Australia.

Mrs. Jeewandara is pleased to inform that after a year of successful teacher training, admissions for the second year will commence soon. The basic eligibility for applicants is - credits in English and Mathematics in O/Ls and a minimum of two passes in A/Ls.

For those who may not possess two passes in A/Ls but have obtained credit passes in English and Mathematics in O/Ls and possess a high level of fluency in English may be considered on a case by case basis.