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 two 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 Officer. 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 20 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.
Carrie has a particular interest in peri and postnatal mental health and early years development, particularly attachment theory. She has worked in various childcare roles over the years and is now working towards becoming a psychotherapist specialising in children and adolescents. Carrie has a daughter, who attended Barnes Montessori, and believes strongly in the role Montessori methods play in enabling children to thrive. Carrie has joined the team part time.
Emma has a young daughter. She has worked as a nanny for primary aged children for the last 20 years. She has also supported children with additional needs in a range of settings. Emma is completing her studies to become a Social Worker at Kingston University. Emma joined the BMN in March 2022 whilst combining her studies. She now occasionally helps out.
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.
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!
Michelle joined the team in January 2014. She has a Montessori Diploma from Montessori Centre International. Michelle has two grown-up daughters and creates and implements cooking and planting activities for the children. She is the school’s Healthy Eating co-ordinator. She is interested in nature and wildlife. Michelle is an active volunteer for Wildlife Aid Foundation practising animal healing, supporting rescue centres and fundraising.
After a 20 year career in live television Natalie took up a role as Learning Support Assistant in a local Primary School in 2017. She supported children with a variety of additional needs across Key Stage 1. In 2018 she became a Leader of Learning with Reception year, providing pastoral care, pupil assessment, tailored interventions and full class sessions. Natalie is passionate about early years education and child development. Natalie is currently completing her Early Education Teacher Status (EYTS). With great enthusiasm and interest she begun her Montessori journey in Summer 2023. She is the mother of two children.
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 and Inclusion Hub Co-ordinator.
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.
Emma, BSc Hons Psychology, PGCE primary with QTS, Diploma in adolescent and childhood psychotherapeutic theory.
After graduating with a 1st class degree in Psychology, Emma worked as a project manager for the 2012 Olympic Games. After this project she decided to retrain as a primary school teacher and gained her PGCE. She worked in a variety of primary school settings in both the private and public sector before becoming a class teacher in a central London prep school. She has a passion for mental health and wellbeing for children and commenced studies in psychotherapy for adolescents and children. She paused her teaching career to focus on her 3 young children. With the youngest now in nursery she has decided to re-enter the education setting.
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.
