The Barnes Montessori staff are fun, enthusiastic, responsible and caring. As a team they are all valued and respected. Between them they have a wealth of experience and many talents. All the staff have DBS checks, Safeguarding and First Aid training. They are a well-qualified team and all attend on-going professional training courses and Conferences.
Married with three children all of whom attended the Barnes Montessori Nursery and three grandchildren. Trained at St. Nicholas Montessori College, has a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies and an Early Years Professional Status. She is the school’s Designated Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead. Former governor both of an independent school and maintained Primary School. Over the years has sat on various education committees including the Borough’s Education and Overview Scrutiny Committee and was (PVI) Private, Voluntary and Independent Schools Forum Representative. Anne-Marie has been London co-ordinator and National Secretary of the Montessori Early Years Forum (MEYF); and on the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board (MEAB). One of the founder members of the Save Our Nurseries Campaign. Anne-Marie was awarded the 2011 Montessorian of the Year. She is a huge advocate of the Montessori approach to learning and development. She is totally dedicated in doing the best for the children in her care and leading a caring, committed and supportive team.
Sarah began her Montessori Career at Barnes Montessori over 25 years ago, joining first as a student and then becoming a class teacher and key person. She left to spend a year teaching in Australia before returning to London where she taught for 5 years before starting a family. When her 3 children were young she worked as a childminder before re-joining the Barnes Montessori Nursery in September 2016. As a class teacher and keyperson she has a wealth of experience and organisational skills with a great sense of fun and humour. Sarah is Deputy and on the BMN Management Team. She is also the school’s Health and Safety Officer and Fire Warden.
Becky obtained a Sports Science degree at Loughborough University before completing a PGCE at Oxford University and working in property until the birth of her two, now late teen, daughters. Having been inspired by their Montessori journey, she studied for her International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy and became a class teacher in another setting in Barnes before joining the Barnes Montessori Nursery team in 2024 as a class teacher and key person.
Hannah, mother of two daughters, has been working in various childcare roles for over 20 years, most recently spending 5 years working within a forest school setting which has a similarity to the Montessori approach. She is passionate about being outdoors and all the benefits that go with it. Hannah has a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. She is a key person and dedicated and committed class teacher.
Juliet is a mother of two adult children. She obtained her NNEB childcare qualification and since then has been working with children in their early years for a number of years. She sings and plays the guitar, using instruments and props to encourage a love of music for everyone. Having run her own private nursery for 23 years she comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge of child development and education, recognising the benefits of the Montessori approach alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
Kate studied at Glasgow School of Art, then went on to work in advertising for 10 years. After the birth of her second child, Kate left advertising to look after her children. Kate works as a portrait artist in her spare time and has taught Sunday school in her home parish of Putney for the last 12 years. Kate is passionate about art, the outdoors, growing her own food and being eco friendly. Kate will be helping with our little Barnes Montessori Nursery allotment patch, teaching the children about growing plants and the joys of self-sufficiency!
Miss Michelle joined the team in January 2014. She has a Montessori diploma from Montessori Centre International. Michelle has two grown-up daughters. She creates and implements Cooking and planning activities for the children. She is the School’s healthy eating co-ordinator. Michelle is trained as an HAO animal healer and K9 relax massage practitioner. She is currently completing her training in equine healing and relax massage. Being passionate about nature and wildlife is also an active volunteer for the Wildlife Aid Foundation.
Natalie joined the team in 2023. She is a mother of two teenage children. After a 20 year career in live television Natalie worked in various support roles at a local Primary School providing pastoral care, pupil assessment, tailored interventions and class sessions. Passionate about early years education Natalie gained Early Years Teacher Status in 2024. She is a class teacher and keyperson. She is also Equality and Diversity co-ordinator.
Mr Sam grew up in the Netherlands and has been living in London since 2015. He is a trained drama therapist and Forest School leader. He has worked with children for over 12 years in different settings. He loves to combine his passion for stories and drama with the wonders of nature. He is hugely popular, social and enthusiastic. Mr Sam has been leading our weekly Forest School group for some time (see below). He also works one day a week as part of the team.
Sophie has an International Montessori Diploma in Early Childhood Studies. She joined the team in September 2023 and comes with 23 years experience working in a Montessori school with a particular interest in literacy. Sophie has a teenage daughter.
Sylwia holds a BA (Hons) in Caring and Educational Pedagogy, a diploma in Montessori Theory and Methodology and an Early Years Professional Status. Furthermore, she holds a level 5 qualification in management and leadership. Sylwia has worked with children for many years. She is passionate about all aspects of the Montessori philosophy and practice. She promotes bringing the inside out and the outside in; a learning approach which develops the child as a whole and nurtures the spirit of Montessori. She has a level 3 Forest School qualification. Sylwia is a class teacher and keyperson. She is the school’s SENCO.
Married with twin girls. Vickie originally qualified as a dance teacher with the National Association of Teachers of Dance, has a Dance Diploma from the University of London and qualified as an Exercise to Music Instructor with the YMCA. She has extensive experience teaching dance and exercise to children and adults. Her weekly sessions with the children incorporate exercises aimed at improving gross and fine motor skills and balance and coordination, along with creative movement for story-telling.
Rachel trained with the British Kodaly Academy, gaining Distinction in Early Childhood Music Teaching. She has a degree in Dance and Drama and is an accomplished pianist. Rachel comes with almost 20 years experience teaching baby, toddler and pre-school music running her own classes. She exudes happiness, joy and a love of music as she engages the children with singing and props covering all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Sophie is native French. She has a French Baccalaureat in Philosophy, Literature and languages with many years teaching children and adults. Her aim is to help them develop their French language skills through the Montessori approach creating a fun and engaging environment where children feel comfortable whilst building their confidence and helping them prepare for future language learning opportunities. Sophie strongly believes that learning a new language from a young age is not only a valuable skill but also a gateway into other cultures.
Children are introduced to basic French vocabulary, small phrases and cultural concepts through songs, games and stories.
Sophie has a Yoga Bananas Teacher Training Certificate. She has many years experience teaching small groups of 3 – 6 year old children. Teaching yoga to young children offers a range of benefits to their physical, emotional and cognitive development. It helps develop balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. It also supports the development of gross and fine motor skills which are important for many activities and playing sports.
Sophie introduces yoga in a playful way by incorporating games, songs, and storytelling. She also emphasizes on mindfulness and ends her classes with a short relaxation session and relaxing music.
The school has contacts with the wider professionals including a qualified and experienced Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) and Occupational Therapist (OT). They come, when needed, to support children with their additional needs. The School SENCO and keypersons work closely with them implementing any recommended strategies.
