The Collaboration

The Legacy of Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori’s revolutionary educational approach began in 1907 with the establishment of the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome, quickly gaining international acclaim. By 1914, her methods had spread to the Netherlands, where Mrs. J.J. Werker opened the country’s first Casa dei Bambini in her home in The Hague. This milestone inspired the founding of more schools and, in 1917, the creation of the Dutch Montessori Society to support educators and collaborate directly with Montessori herself.

To ensure access to high-quality materials, the Society established the Leermiddelenhuis in 1922. During her visit that same year, Maria Montessori offered valuable insights, further strengthening local production efforts. In 1926, carpenter Albert Nienhuis joined the team, crafting iconic wooden materials such as the Geometric Cabinet and the 1000 Cube. Over time, he expanded the enterprise by involving his sons in the flourishing business.

In 1929, Maria Montessori established the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) to advance her educational philosophy globally and ensure the quality of training and materials. During World War II, Albert Nienhuis resourcefully secured materials to continue producing Montessori apparatus. Following the war, the operation moved to the Nienhuis family home in The Hague and later to Zelhem to meet increasing demand. There, the company became a world leader in Montessori materials, maintaining the precise standards set by Maria and Mario Montessori and later upheld by the AMI Scientific Pedagogical Committee.