MMI Day Nursery Croydon

I started my journey at MMI in 2010 as a placement student. Over time, I worked my way up to become the Room Leader in the Preschool Room. After gaining experience in other settings, I returned to MMI in September 2019 as the Nursery Manager, and I’ve been proud to lead the team ever since.

I’m a Montessori-trained teacher, holding a Level 4 qualification in Montessori Philosophy, as well as a Froebel diploma from Roehampton University. I also hold a SENCO diploma from Best Practice and a Level 5 NPQ in Early Years Leadership from Ambition Institute. Currently, I’m continuing my professional development by studying for a Top-Up Degree in Teaching and Learning at Kingston University.

Since returning to MMI, I’m proud to say we’ve become a recognised leader in early years education in our community. We've participated in research projects on spirituality in early childhood in collaboration with Roehampton University and have been invited to speak at conferences to share our practice. We also work closely with the Croydon Early Years team, including delivering a talk on how we work with babies.

In May 2024, we were awarded a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted, a reflection of the team’s dedication and passion. We are also proud to be Early Years SENCO certified and recognised as a NASEN Early Years SEND Reviewer.

I joined the MMI team in 2019 as an unqualified practitioner, and from the very beginning, I received incredible support from the team around me. With their encouragement and guidance, I trained and qualified as an EYE Level 3 Early Years Educator and Montessori Practitioner.

Learning about the Montessori philosophy has been a truly transformative journey for me. It has shaped not only my teaching style but also the way I view children, learning, and development. I’ve gained valuable knowledge and grown both professionally and personally. Over time, I’ve built my confidence and developed into a reflective, thoughtful educator.

From starting as an unqualified team member, I’m proud to now be the Third in Charge at MMI. It’s been an incredible journey of growth, and I take great pride in the progress I’ve made. Being part of the MMI family has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I’m honoured to contribute to such a passionate and inspiring team.

I joined MMI in September 2024, and what a journey it has been so far! Before this, I spent several years teaching in a Reception class at a private school, but returning to a nursery environment has been a refreshing and rewarding experience.

I’ve truly come to appreciate the ethos and values we hold at MMI. I love the positive culture within the team and the way we consistently place children at the heart of everything we do. Being part of this environment has helped me grow professionally, and I continue to learn every day with the support and encouragement of my colleagues.

I especially love teaching in the Preschool Room, where I have the joy of preparing children not just for school, but for life. Helping them build confidence, independence, and a natural curiosity for learning is the most fulfilling part of what I do.