Meet The Team
Dayo
OWNER
Dayo has been working with children for over a decade specialising in Early Years foundation stage. In April 2023, Dayo took over the running of Monique Montessori Nursery. She is very passionate about creating a stimulating learning environment and working with under 5year olds. She gets really excited when involved in role plays and teaching the children through interactive demonstrations and modeling. "It’s a delight for me to do what I love for a living. Working with the little ones brings smiles to my face"
Sarah-Rose
MANAGER, HEAD OF EDUCATION, MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS
Sarah-Rose is the Manager at Monique Montessori, she has an International Level 4 Montessori Diploma and 10 years experience working with children under 5. She completed her teaching practice at Monique Montessori back in 2015 and has worked her way up, becoming Manager in 2020. She is an avid baker and fills her spare time baking cakes for her niece and nephews who live a few doors down from her. Sarah-Rose's pride and joy are her two pugs, Winston and Frank (who are a handful!).
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Gemma
DEPUTY MANAGER, SENCO, MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS
Gemma is Deputy Manager and SENCO, she has been with us at the nursery for over 17 years during which time she has gained an International Diploma in Montessori Education (2 1/2 - 6 years) and has two children who attended Monique's when they were younger. She and her family enjoy camping, kayaking and other outdoor pursuits in their spare time.
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Natalie
DEPUTY MANAGER, DSL LEAD, LEVEL 3 PRACTITIONER
Natalie is Deputy Manager, DSL and has been at Monique's for nearly 12 years. During this time she has gained a Level 3 qualification in Early Years. She was the lead practitioner in the baby and toddler room whilst Sarah was on maternity leave in 2015, she enjoyed the challenges that came with that role and soon became Deputy. Natalie enjoys going to concerts, and getting her nails done with other staff members during the weekend.
Stef
MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS
Stef is a Montessori Directress and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Monique's. She is also the daughter of Monique. She has had a hand in helping at the nursery since the age of 8 and has an International Level 4 Montessori Diploma. Stef played Netball to a high standard for over 10 years before making a bold move in to rugby in September 2016. Before COVID-19, Stef spent some time travelling around the world, particularly enjoying Fiji and Taiwan. She has recently taken a step away from the role of Business Manager but will continue to support all staff.
Sarah
HEAD OF BABY AND TODDLER ROOM, MONTESSORI DIRECTRESS
Sarah began helping at the nursery whilst she was herself still in school in 1996. Her time at the nursery guided her towards a career in childcare, and in 1999 she completed her NNEB. Shortly after completing this course, a job opened up at Monique's and the rest is history. Sarah's expertise lie within the baby and toddler Montessori room and Sarah finished her Baby and Toddler Montessori Diploma in 2005. Sarah has 2 young boys of her own, both attending Infant School.
Joanna / Jojo
LEVEL 2 PRACTITIONER
Joanna has been a part of our team for 21 years, having started with us as a cleaner when she was a teenager. She has gained an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare to allow her to progress to where she is now. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys going for long walks and hikes around Kent, always finding new trails with beautiful scenery, as well as the occasional line dancing classes.
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Maple
PLAYWORKER
Maple is our resident singing nursery assistant. She has had almost 40 years of experience working with children as a nanny and in 2 other London based nurseries before finding Monique's in 2007. Maple has a qualification in mechanics, and also dabbled in carpentry, brick laying and metal work at the same time as gaining her mechanics qualification. Maple's first love however is singing and she has a beautiful voice. She spent time touring Australia with the London Gospel Choir, performing at the Sydney Opera House. Maple is a creative person, enjoying artwork and woodcraft projects at home. Her bubbly personality and enthusiasm is infectious, and the babies and toddlers love her.
Michelle
Michelle joined Monique Montessori Day Nursery in June 2023 to start an exciting new career in childcare. Michelle has worked within the Catering industry for the last 26 Years, making her way through to Senior Management. She have a 17 year old daughter as well as several young nephews and a niece "I have always really enjoyed spending my time with them helping them develop and grow. After some consideration it seemed a natural choice for me to explore a career that would allow me to develop myself and hopefully make a positive difference to others". In Michelle's spare time she loves going to the Theatre, Music festivals / Concerts, walking her dog and touring on her motorbike.
Ellen
Ellen has been working at Monique's on and off since 2001, as well as working at the After School Club. Ellen has a 18 year old daughter who attended Monique's when she was 9 Months old. Ellen is a fantastic baker! and will often bring in treats for us all to enjoy. Ellen has been baking with the children for many years, and has developed picture recipe books to help the children learn how to follow a recipe.
Yemisi
LEVEL 6 PRACTITIONER
Yemisi enjoys working with young children and she is always delighted to see them learn, play, explore, imagine and grow. She joined Monique’s Nursery in August 2023 and it’s been an exciting experience for her to witness happy and fulfilled children who are flourishing and rapidly developing at their various individual rates. Yemisi is an ardent Barcelona Football Club Fan who also enjoys reading, travelling, singing and listening to music.
Helena
LEVEL 3 PRACTITIONER
Helena has a degree in Physiotherapy and has just completed her Level 3 in Childcare. Helena has 2 children of her own who attended local schools. She is originally from Sweden, however has lived in England for most of her adult life. Helena is a self confessed fitness freak and is especially into Bootcamp and Yoga. She loves walking, travelling to learn about different cultures and has recently taken up knitting and puzzles during lockdown.
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Becky
CATERING MANAGER, DEPUTY DSL
Becky is our new Catering Manager and started at Monique's in August 2020. She has been a friend to the nursery for many years. Becky was keen to begin a new career having seen first hand the positive influences the Montessori method had on her two children who attended Monique's over 10 years ago. After spending 30 years in head office Retail roles, Becky is looking forward to a more relaxed work/life balance - treating your children to her family's favourite recipes.
Bank Staff
Monique
