Our Staff
Each child at the nursery is assigned a 'keyworker', who will support you through your child's learning journey through regular updates, meetings, development reports, and observations of your child's week at nursery.
Our staff spend time working with and observing all children both indoors and outdoors, sharing their observations with the child's key worker so plans can be made for further learning opportunities.
NURSERY MANAGER: Laura O'Brien
Laura is the founder of the nursery.
As a mother, Laura first worked in a Montessori inspired nursery and school in the East Midlands. Hearing that the preschool based in Market Harborough was closing down, Laura took over the space and turned it into the towns first and only Montessori setting. Since then, the nursery has seen countless children through its doors, from families based all over Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Laura has been dedicated in developing her team, delivering Montessori training throughout the year to maintain the ethos and ability of staff to use the Montessori approach. She led the nursery through the Montessori accreditation process, achieving the award in 2011.
Laura is a Qualified Montessori teacher of early years and primary. She has a degree in Early Years and EYP [Early Years Professional] status. She is the setting's SENCO leader, and trained in ELKLAN [speech and language support]
Alongside managing and working in the nursery, Laura also mentors other nurseries through her relationship with Leicestershire County council as an Initial Mentor practitioner. She has been a Chair of Governors for a secondary school in Leicester for many years.
"In offering a Montessori education, we endeavour to provide an environment which supports the development of each child's unique personality, and enables them to become emotionally, socially and physically strong and happy children, who will then move onto school as confident, self-motivated learners."
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DEPUTY MANAGER: Helen Killworth
Helen has worked for the setting since 2001. She has seen and been a part of the changes the nursery has encountered, from the change of buildings to the way early years education has developed. A mother of three, all of Helen's children attended the setting in their younger years.
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She was previously a qualified secondary school teacher, teaching French and German. During her time with us, she has completed a Level 6 Certification in Early Years. As well as being deputy, Helen is also the lead practitioner for behaviour management.
More of Our Staff
Lisa
Jo
Creusa
Gemma
Lisa is a long time serving member of our staff. Lisa grew up in Northampton, and qualified in Childhood Studies. She worked in a variety of school and nursery settings before starting with us in 2004. Since then Lisa has been a lead member of staff. She has completed Makaton training.
Jo has a BTEC Diploma in Early Childhood Studies Level 3 and previously worked as a nanny before joining us in 2019. As well as working in our wider classroom, Jo also looks after our under 2's.
Gemma had previous nursery experience before joining us in 2016 to undergo a Level 3 qualification in Early Years education which she successfully completed. As well working in the wider classroom, Gemma works with our under 2's.
Creusa is originally from Brazil where she qualified as an Early Years teacher. She spent a lot of her working life in Brazil working in an educational capacity. She joined us first as a volunteer who was inspired by the Montessori ethos we follow. She has worked for us since 2011.
Corina
Corina worked in our classroom, completing an Early Years Educator Level 3 qualification during her time. She now manages our online presence.
Interested in joining our Montessori Team?
We are dedicated to training our staff, and often take on students of various childcare qualifications and degrees.
We are a Professional Placement Approved setting for students undergoing an MCI Montessori qualification and would love to see more individuals taking up Montessori training and qualifications with us.