We operate from a purpose built premises known as St Michael’s Church Annex.

Our building formerly a church hall has undergone extensive renovations and restoration to create separate stunning spaces for the children. Our classrooms are beautiful and everything is planned carefully with the needs of the children in mind. The happy atmosphere we have created has taken several years of commitment and total dedication. Visitors are often very surprised when they come inside our building to see how spacious, beautiful and clean everything in our environment is. They comment on the positive ambience and high standards they feel and see immediately they walk into the building. Our rooms are carefully prepared to stimulate children’s independence and intellectual development. Our commitment is to continue to offer authentic Montessori education and high quality of care to the children and their families in our carefully prepared environment.

Our outdoor spaces have also been created with the children in mind.

Recycled rubber flooring in the baby and toddler garden provides a safe outdoor space for the children to explore and play. The older children benefit from a covered outdoor space fitted with a purpose built sand pit. The children have ample space for exploration and several physical activities and planting.

All the classrooms and office have an entry telephone system with cameras. This enables us to provide secure, controlled access to the building and access into the building which is by a coded door entry system.

For more information see our policy (Download link)

All our staff are highly motivated, caring and dedicated.

They work in close partnership with parents and other professionals for the benefit of the children in the nursery. They are all carefully selected and vetted to ensure they are suitable to work with or around children. All the teachers have relevant Early Years qualification and experience. References are taken up on all staff before they are employed. The teaching staff team provide the expertise needed to plan and co-ordinate activities, and they monitor the development of the children based on detailed observations. The structure of the day is organised to provide a balance between care routines; structured leaning, free play individually and groups activities. Parents are well informed about the development of their children and classes meet weekly to discuss children’s progress. A monthly staff meeting takes place to share good practice and to reflect on different aspects of our work. The monthly meetings are usually held on the last Friday of the month.

Continuous professional development

All our staff are encouraged to take responsibility for their continuous development. We require our staff to develop necessary skills and knowledge not only to perform well in their future role but also to prepare them for future opportunities and any changes required in order to support effective teaching. We believe in an ongoing commitment to life-long learning.

Sade Biobaku-Odusanya, Head

She founded Living Spring Montessori in 2004. She holds a Montessori International Diploma (AMI) from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London, BSc (Hons) Animal Biochemistry and Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Strategies. She has a BA (1st Class Hons) in Working in Integrated Services for Children and Young People.  

Idong Okono, Operations & Finance Director

He worked extensively in the NHS and Pharmaceutical Industry before joining Living Spring. He holds a BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences and a Diploma in Nursing.  

Junette Salonga, Deputy Manager & SENCO

Junette holds a BA in Education Studies & Early Years from the University of Hertfordshire. Junette’s experience extends to supporting children who have special educational needs and disabilities. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2022.

Lucimar Vieira, Domestic Assistant

The heart and soul of the nursery, Lucimar joined Living Spring Montessori in 2004.

Yanapo Kiswamu, Chef

Yanapo holds a Catering and Food Production Chef Certificate obtained from Amiedu Vocational College in Helsinki, Finland. He joined Living Spring Montessori in 2010.  

Nido

Shereen Philips, Nursery Officer

Shereen holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma (AMI – 2 1/2 – 6). She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2022.

Amy Gills, Nursery Officer

Amy holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the North American Montessori Center; Level 3 in Leadership and Management as well as a Level 3 in Childcare. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2018.

Dhovi Infante, Nursery Officer

Dhovi holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the North American Montessori Center (0-3)(NAMC), BTEC Level 3 in Health and Social Care and is currently studying towards a CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (QCF). She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2010.

Nicola Dalton, Nursery Assistant

Nicola holds an International Montessori Assistant Certificate (AMI 0-3 & 3-6). She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2018.

Infant Community

Adriana Dumitrache, Nursery Officer

Adriana holds a degree in The Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool Education from the University of Bucharest, Romania and a certificate in The Reggio Emilia Educational Approach from the Loris Malaguzzi International Center, Italy. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2019.

Mariam Alibhai, Nursery Officer

Mariam holds a Montessori International Diploma. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2021.

Szilvia Papp-Kovacs, Nursery Assistant 

Szilvia holds an International Montessori Assistant Certificate (AMI 0-3 & 3-6). She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2021.

Paula Esteve, Nursery Officer

Paula holds a Spanish Baccalaureate and is preparing to undertake Level 3 childcare training. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2023.

Chiara Marangoni, Nursery Assistant

Chiara holds a BSc in Psychology from the London South Bank University. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2023.

Children’s House

Quan Zhou (Maggie), Nursery Officer

Maggie holds a Montessori International Diploma from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London.  She has a Master’s degree in Law, Economics and Management from Mans University, France, as well as her Early Years Educator qualification. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2021.

Celia Romero Carballal, Nursery Officer

Celia holds a degree in Social Education from the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain; She has an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the North American Montessori Center. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2019.

Irit Hajioff, Nursery Officer

Irit holds a Montessori International Diploma from the Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies in Arizona; BA (Hons) in English from Northwestern University in Illinois and a Master’s in Education from Loyola University in Baltimore. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2021.

Feranmi Salawu, Nursery Officer

Feranmi holds a Masters (MA) in Childhood Studies and Early Years and a Montessori Diploma (0-3 MACTE). She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2023.

Tasneem Abbasakoor, Nursery Officer

Tasneem holds an International Montessori Diploma (AMI 3-6) from the Maria Montessori Institute in London. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2023.