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.

Charlotte Graham
Deputy Manager & SENCO

Holds a Montessori International Diploma (AMI) from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London and BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and Childhood Studies from the University of Northumbria. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2012.

Lucimar Vieira
Domestic Assistant

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

Yanapo Kiswamu
Chef

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

Nido

Dilinika Bandaranaike
Head, Nido

Holds a Montessori International Diploma (AMI), BEd (Hons) Education and a Post Graduate Certificate in Special Needs from Nottingham University. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2008.

Larissa Charles
Nursery Officer

Holds a Montessori International Diploma (MCI) from the Montessori Centre International London; Bachelors of Early Childhood from the University of Southern Queensland Australia. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2012.

Dhovi Infante
Senior Nursery Assistant

Holds a Montessori Assistant Certificate from the North American Montessori Council (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.

Kinga Szanto
Nursery Assistant

Kinga holds an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia International University  as well as an ESOL Teaching Certificate. She joined Living Spring Montessori in May 2017.

Susana Lopes-Ferreira
Floating Nursery Officer

Holds a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare.  She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2011.

Infant Community

Bridget Yap
Head, Infant Community

Holds a BA (Hons) in Education Studies from the University of Hertfordshire.  She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2014.

Kiu Ying Chan (Michelle)
Nursery Officer

Holds the Montessori International Diploma (AMI) from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London; a Diploma in Special Education Needs and BA (Hons) Political Science. She joined Living Spring Montessori from 2005 to 2009 and returned to Hong Kong. She rejoined Living Spring Montessori in 2014.

Eszter Laszlo
Senior Nursery Assistant

She holds a CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (QCF); Montessori International Certificate (AMI); BA in Economics. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2012.

Carla Fernandez Almirante
Nursery Assistant

Carla holds a BA in Economics and is working towards a CACHE Level 3 in Teaching and Learning in Schools. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2016.

Andrea Kovacs-Craciun
Nursery Assistant

Andrea is working towards a BSc in Health and Social Care from EThames Graduate School. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2017.

Nehaya Bazeh
Nursery Assistant

Nehaya holds a Supporting Teaching and Learning Level 2 and is working towards her level 3. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2017.

Children’s House

Melanie Taquet
Head, Children’s House

Holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Montpellier Institut Regional du Travail Social and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London. She joined Living Spring in 2015.

Sophie Philip
Nursery Officer

Holds a BA in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Roehampton  and an International Montessori Teaching Diploma from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London. She rejoined Living Spring in June 2017

Fatima Datoo
Nursery Officer

Holds a Montessori International Diploma (AMI) from the Maria Montessori Institute (MMI) in London; BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and Childhood Studies from the University of East London; MA in Early Childhood Studies from the University of East London. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2014.

Joyce Lam
Nursery Officer

Holds a BA (Hons) in Education Studies and Early Years from the University of Hertfordshire. She joined Living Spring in 2015.

Elizabeth Sather
Nursery Officer

Holds the Montessori International Diploma (AMI) from Montessori Institute of Northwest Oregon USA; Master of Education; and B.A (Hons) English Literature. She joined Living Spring Montessori in 2004.