Riverside Nursery Schools, Richmond Montessori

Michelle is a dedicated and experienced early years leader with a deep passion for ensuring every child has the best possible start to their educational journey. Her path into early years began in Bath, where she took on a role at a specialist pre-school for children with additional needs and quickly discovered that this was where her heart and her strengths truly lay.

Originally from Weston-super-Mare, Michelle holds Early Years Professional Status at Level 6 from Bath Spa University and a BA Honours from the University of Sussex. Her impressive career has taken her across the world – from Bath to Shenzhen, Shanghai, Cambodia, and back to the United Kingdom – giving her a uniquely international perspective on early childhood education and the confidence to lead in diverse and complex settings.

Michelle's philosophy centres on the belief that high-quality early years education is the foundation for lifelong learning, and that this can only be achieved through a team of enthusiastic professionals working in genuine partnership with families. She holds her team to the highest standards, not through pressure but through visible leadership, mentoring, and a commitment to continuous professional development. She draws on best practice from every setting and every country she has worked in, bringing a richness of experience that few practitioners can match.

At Richmond Montessori, Michelle has brought stability, clarity, and a renewed focus on quality. She is a hands-on leader who is present in the rooms, knows the children, and is already strengthening handover processes, staff communication, and the consistency of care across the setting. Her unwavering commitment to the EYFS and to getting the fundamentals right for every child makes Richmond Montessori a nursery that is growing in confidence every day.