Oak Lee Montessori School

I founded Oak Lee Montessori in 2009 and we opened our doors in early 2010. My dream was always to open up a setting which provided excellent childcare which was firmly rooted in the belief that as childcare professionals we can make a difference to the lives of the children we care for and their families. After qualifying as a Nursery Nurse and Montessori Teacher, I worked at the Cheyne Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy. I have incredibly fond memories of my time there and the bonds I made with the children I cared for. I spent some years in the family hardware business and was at that stage a working Mum. I have two girls who are now 24 and 26 years old and family is hugely important to me. This drives me each day to ensuring that we build Oak Lee into a community where we all support each other and teach the children the value of community, integrity, kindness and charity. I believe education and learning should continue throughout our life and as such I ensure I provide my team opportunities to learn and grow. I am passionate about health and well being and have embedded these within the very fabric of Oak Lee by investing time, energy and resources on the food we provide and incorporating yoga into our daily routine.

My name is Becky, I am the Nursery Manager at our Love Lane site. I Joined Oak Lee in 2010 when it had recently opened and started as a Senior Nursery Teacher, with my NVQ level 3 that I had gained at a previous Montessori setting. I became the Deputy Manager of the nursery in 2012 and had opportunities to teach and care for the children, working in all classrooms with all ages. I decided to further my knowledge by beginning my foundation degree in 2013, I then Graduated in 2016 after three years with my BA Honours degree in ‘Working in Integrated services for children and young people’. I then became the Nursery Manager in 2016, where my passion continues to be to provide a safe, happy environment, with high quality care and education. I had my first child in June 2019, my son Harry, who has attended the nursery with me since he was 6 months old. This has given me the opportunity to see the setting from a parents perspective too, seeing first-hand the love, support and care they provide him which is evident in his smiley face entering and leaving daily. I feel privileged and proud to work with the team I have at Oak Lee

My name is Chanel and I am the Early Years Co-Ordinator for Oak Lee. I first joined the Oak Lee family in January 2013, starting as an apprentice working towards my Level 2 qualification. I then went on to gain my Level 3 qualification in 2015 and quickly started my foundation degree at the University of West London, whilst still working at Oak Lee full time which I completed in June 2017. I then decided to work towards completing my third year at university, where I gained my BA Honours degree in ‘Working in Integrated Services for Children and Young People’ in June 2018. Throughout my time at Oak Lee, I progressed my way up the family tree, being the Manager at the West End Lane branch from April 2019-April 2021. I have always had a passion to nurture, love and care for children of all ages and my knowledge and qualifications have helped me to progress to the person I am today. My new role allows me to work with the staff to further their knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities, ensuring the staff deliver high standards to nurture and teach the children.

My name is Katy and I am the Training & Development Co-ordinator for Oak Lee. I started back in 2011 as a Nursery Assistant, after I graduated from University with a BA (Hons). Having worked as a summer assistant in another nursery in between study, I knew that Early Years teaching was the career for me and I was very excited to join the Oak Lee family! That same year, I enrolled part-time at Stanmore College to gain my NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and become a qualified member of the team. I then enrolled back at University to achieve my Early Years Professional Status (equivalent to QTS) and became part of the management team as the Early Years Co-ordinator at our Love Lane nursery in 2013. Always eager to learn more, I enrolled onto a Level 4 Montessori Diploma course studying at the Montessori Centre International, which I completed in 2016. I then became the Manager of our new West End Lane nursery site in January 2017. Oak Lee has always supported my goals and aspirations and has helped me achieve so much in the years I have been part of the team. I have a real passion for providing the very best in Early Years care and education and love to help others further their knowledge, gain their qualifications and nurture the same passion for achieving high standards, as I have, and my new role allows me to do just that.

My name is Charlie and I am the Deputy Manager at Love Lane. I achieved my NVQ Level 3 in Childcare in 2011 and completed my Foundation Degree in Early Years in 2018. I started working in childcare as a Nursery Assistant in 2008 and worked my way up to a Deputy Manager in 2014. I joined the Oak Lee family in 2015 as a Senior Early Years Educator and became Deputy Manager at Love Lane in 2019. I am currently working with the Under 2’s but have run the toddler and pre-school rooms which has given me the opportunity to understand the development of a child from 6 months to 5 years and enabling me to support my colleagues in delivering outstanding care to the children at Oak Lee.

My name is Charley and I have worked at Oak Lee since 2018. I began my career studying Health and Social Care and worked in Children Centres for Harrow council for three years. I then began working at Oak Lee and have accomplished a lot in this time. Supporting children with special educational needs is a passion of mine and I have completed a Makaton course as well as Asperger’s and Autism awareness. In August 2020, I achieved my NVQ Level 3 Childcare qualification. I have also successfully obtained a Level 2 Autism course and am starting an Early Years Foundation Degree.

My name is Kim and I am the HR Co-Ordinator at Oak Lee. I gained my level 3 childcare qualifications back in 1996, starting out as a nursery assistant in Essex and then slowly working my way up to a deputy manager in 2000. I took a break from full time work in 2001 to have my twin daughters and do some one to one work with a little boy with special needs. The opportunity then arose in 2014 to join the Oak lee family; this was a perfect opportunity to continue with my passion of working with children but to also support the wider Oak Lee family.

My name is Sandra and I am one of the cooks at Oak Lee Montessori. I joined the Oak Lee family in 2012 as a catering assistant, a year later I went on maternity leave and had my second son Diogo. I feel that during my time at Oak Lee, I have grown as a person and as a professional, and it is a privilege to cook for such happy and enthusiastic children. Currently I hold a Level 3 Food & Hygiene and I have achieved a NVQ2 Commis Chef qualification, I am looking forward to sharing my new knowledge with the rest of the kitchen team.

My name is Scarlett and I originally started at Oak Lee in January 2019 as a nursery assistant, I left in 2020 to have my little boy and came back to work in the office in January 2022.

Hello, my name is Sarojini. I am a Nursery Assistant at Oak Lee Montessori and have been working here since July 2015. I have previously worked with children and achieved my NVQ Level 3 in Childcare in 2009. I enjoy working with all age groups of children.

My name is Caitlin and I am a Trainee Early Years Educator. I joined Oak Lee in February 2019 as an Apprentice NVQ Level 2. I achieved this qualification in the Summer of 2020 and have now successfully enrolled on my Level 3.

My name is Sumaira. I began working at Oak Lee in 2019 as an NVQ Level 2 Nursery Assistant. I am now working towards my Level 3 Qualification. This is my first job working in a Nursery since raising my own children. Working with children has given me great confidence and for that reason I feel proud to work at Oak Lee.

My name is Nicole and I have been working at Oak Lee since July 2019. I am currently a Senior Nursery Assistant. I gained my Level 2 qualification prior to having my daughter. The position at Oak Lee was a perfect opportunity for me as I have always wanted to work with children. The team have been welcoming and it feels like one big family.

My name is Sargam and I joined Oak Lee in November 2021. I really enjoy working with the children and am looking forward to getting my Level 3 in early years education.

My name is Elena-Cristina Tetea, I have professional training as a general nurse but have always wanted to be a teacher because I love children so much. I hope that my start at Oak Lee will not only be a challenge but also a success.

My name is Lily, I have been working at Oak Lee since September 2020. I have completed my level 2 health and social care in college and now currently working on getting my NVQ level 2 here. I really love working here with the children and being part of the staff team.

My name is Mali and I am a Trainee Senior Early Years Educator. I started my career as a Montessori Teacher in 1989, where I achieved my Diploma in Montessori Teaching in Sri Lanka. I joined Oak Lee Montessori in 2011 and worked my way up to leading my own room. I am very happy to have this opportunity to work with children and to be a valued member of the Oak Lee family.

My name is Ajantha and I joined Oak Lee Montessori in September 2018 as a Catering Assistant. I’ve always had a passion to work with children and work at a nursery, therefore working for the Oak Lee family has been a great opportunity. I have a lovely team of colleagues all with a similar passion and drive. I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere at Oak Lee. I have gained my Level 2 qualification in Food Safety.

My name is Ramegini and I work in Room 2 as a Trainee EYE. I completed my Level 2 childcare qualification in 2009 and joined Oak Lee Montessori in 2011 as a Nursery Assistant. I achieved my Level 3 qualification in 2018. Oak Lee Montessori has given me a great opportunity to improve my knowledge and be able to work with children from 6 months to 5 years old.

My name is Kowsalya, I started working at Oak lee Montessori in 2016 as a Catering Assistant and have gained my Level 2 Food Hygiene course. The Oak Lee family are very friendly and I enjoy coming to work and preparing the food for the children.

My name is Amalia. I worked as a teacher in Romania, after gaining my QTS status in 2008. I moved to the UK and later got married. My first job in the UK in 2015 was for Oak Lee, this opportunity gave me the chance to improve my English and receive training. Unfortunately due to health reasons, I had to leave the employment. I am happy to be part of the Oak Lee Family again, along with my son.

My name is Shelley and I’m the Senior Administrator at Oak Lee. I have been working here since we opened back in April 2010. I am a mother of two married children and now have grandchildren of my own. From my experience, I understand the importance of a high quality childcare nursery and I am very proud to be part of the Oak Lee team. Apart from being in the office, I always love to see the children, enjoying and engaging in all their activities. Our ethos and values make Oak Lee a wonderful nursery for children to begin their pre-school journey.

My name is Puja Patel and I am a Senior EYE. I was born in the UK, raised in Kenya and then moved to Houston, Texas where I began my career in education. I worked at a Montessori school for 11 years, starting off as an Assistant teacher and achieved my Montessori Diploma. I then worked my way up to become a qualified Montessori Teacher and eventually became a Deputy Head. I moved back to the UK in 2019 and wanted to continue my passion for teaching, I joined Oak Lee that very same year.

Hello, my name is Tara and I joined Oak lee in October 2020 as a Nursery Assistant. I have completed a level 1 childcare qualification at West Herts College and have signed up to start my NVQ Level 2 qualification. I have really enjoyed my time at Oak Lee especially learning more about children’s development and education.

My name is Emma and I am one of the cooks at Oak Lee. I worked in a bakery for 14 years which introduced me to my love of baking. I joined the Oak Lee family in 2014 and love watching the children enjoying the wonderful food prepared by myself and the team. I currently hold a Level 3 Food Hygiene.

I am an Early Years Educator at Oak Lee where I began my journey in April of 2018 joining an amazing team in Room 1. I have been privileged to also work with special needs children having experienced working in a SEN school and completed a pecs course alongside learning some sign language. I feel at Oak Lee all staff are dedicated to giving children the best care and support for them to develop to the best of their abilities and look forward to meeting all parents of Oak Lee as I continue to care and support your children.

My name is Jasmin and I am a senior EYE at Oak Lee. I gained my level 2 Childcare qualifications in 2009 at Stanmore College and then joined Oak Lee as a Nursery Assistant. Whilst working, I completed my Level 3 qualifications and worked my way up to a room leader position.

I joined Oak Lee in 2017, after spending over 20 years in the Healthcare Industry as a Pharmacist. I help to look after the resources for the Nursery and assist with the bookkeeping. As a Pharmacist I have been used to following stringent procedures when providing care. When I joined the team I was impressed by the robust systems in place and I knew that this is a safe environment for both Children and Staff.

My name is Kasia and I have been working at Oak Lee since September 2021. The team have been really welcoming and I am grateful for being given the opportunity to work here. I am the mum of a 2 year old boy and have a patient and caring personality. Although I am at the beginning of my childcare career, I really enjoy being around the children.

My name is Tina and I am one of the Catering Assistants at Oak Lee. I have been at Oak Lee since November 2018. I enjoy helping the team prepare the snacks and lunches for all the children. It is a pleasure to work with such a friendly and helpful staff team.

My name is Bavithira and I am an Early Years Educator at Oak Lee. I started out as a nursery assistant at our West End lane site in 2017 and gained my level 3 childcare qualification in May 2020. Being part of Oak Lee is most definitely rewarding with no day being the same. I love being part of a community helping children to learn, grow and develop to their full potential and ability.