The Team

Manager/Owner – Paula Howes

Justyna – Montessori Teacher, Deputy Manager, Level 3 Qualified,Senco Practitioner

My name is Justyna I am the Deputy Manager and Senco for Secret Garden. I have had the privilege to work here from the beginning. We started as a small team and now is quite a few of us! I have Bachelor’s Degree in tourism, and administration. Also level 3 Nursery Qualification, and in 2018 I became Montessori qualified. Since 2013 I have been working as a teacher in few different settings – Montessori and non Montessori. I could talk hours and hours about why I think Montessori gives children the best start in their education. In my free time I enjoy making materials and research new activities for school. As a family we like walking, traveling and generally having fun.

Ainara – Montessori Teacher, Assistant Deputy Manager, QTS,  and EAL Co-ordinator

Katie – Montessori Teacher, Assisting Deputy Manager, Safe Guard Officer and Forest School Teacher

Hi, my name is Katie. I have had the absolute pleasure of joining the team at Secret Garden Montessori in April 2018. I completed my Level 4 in Montessori Pedagogy in 2016 and have worked at a Montessori and Forest School in Henley-on-Thames for the past three and a half years – I am due also to complete my Forest School Leader training within the next few months, and am absolutely infatuated with this wonderful method. I am a strong advocate for outdoor learning and the incredible benefits it has in regards to healthy brain development and emotional wellbeing. When I’m not working I enjoy exploring the great outdoors with my dogs and partner, cooking and relaxing with a good book.

 Jose – Montessori Teacher and QTS

Hello, my name is Jose Moreno and I was born in Puertollano which is in Southern Spain. After studying marketing at University, I changed direction and I had my first experience teaching 14 years ago. After this, I decided to study to become a teacher in early years (QTS) at the University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain). During this time, I worked and gained experience in ‘after school clubs, sports classes and social work with children and teenagers.

I decided to move to Bristol to improve my English for a few months, and ended up staying since then, which was more than 5 years ago now. I started to work in England in main stream education, but after a volunteering in a Montessori setting I quickly realized this was the type of educational method was of great interest to me. I began working in a Montessori School in Bristol in 2014, before joining the team at Secret Garden in October 2017. I studied for the `Implementation In Montessori Practice´ and became qualified in 2016..

In my spare time I enjoy outdoors activities and travel as much as I can.

Isla – Montessori Teacher, Babyroom Manager, Level 3 Qualified Practitioner

Hello my name is Isla and I am the Babyroom Manager. I have worked in childcare for three years and have gained my level three NVQ in childcare, I have now achieved my Montessori Diploma. I have loved learning about the Montessori method, knowing this method is giving children such a positive and caring start. When I am not working, I love to explore new places. Working in childcare is such a rewarding job and seeing your little ones everyday is a pleasure. I look forward to meeting and getting to know all of you.

Elisha – Montessori Teacher, Babyroom Deputy Manager, Level 3 Qualified Practitioner

Hi, my name is Elisha, and i am the Deputy Manager of the baby room. I have completed my Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and development as well as my Montessori Diploma. I have always been interested in working in early years and love that I am able to watch the children grow and develop, meeting their first milestones. I began my first placement, while training, at Secret Garden in September 2019 and fell in love with nursery! As well as my experience from Secret Garden, I have also spent some time in a reception class as well, as a Special Educational Needs school which is an area in early years I am interested in. I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know your children!

Marta – Montessori Teacher and QTS

Hello, my name is Marta and I am from Southern Spain. I have a bachelor´s degree in Pedagogy and a Diploma in Guide Assistant in Montessori Education method. This allowed me to gain a deep knowledge about the philosophy and all the fascinating Montessori material. During the time I was studying this course I volunteered in a Montessori nursery school in Spain to put in practice all that I was learning, and then, I decided to come to Bristol to improve my English where I got the opportunity to work in another Montessori nursery school for two years. This experience was really fulfilling and made me grow as a Montessori teacher.

I am passionate about the Montessori philosophy because I really believe in the potential of children, recognising their differences and allowing them to work at their own pace. I truly believe the self-learning and exploration are vital aspects to promote the child’s confidence and independence. Also, the calm, ordered and prepared environment facilitates the children’s concentration letting them follow their own interests increasing their curiosity.

In my spare time I really enjoy practising yoga and dancing and like to share these passions with children.

Louise – Montessori Assistant and QTS

Hello, my name is Louise.
I am currently on maternity leave but will be returning later in the year. I was really excited to join the team at Secret Garden Montessori Nursery. I have worked with children from an early age, starting with volunteering in schools and with youth groups while at secondary school here in North Somerset and at University in Sheffield. I completed a PGCE at the University of the West of England and have spent a large part of my teaching career so far in mainstream nursery classrooms. <br>
During this time, I developed a real passion for the Early Years and in particular following the interest of the child. I discovered that my educational values align closely with the Montessori method, which I researched when on maternity leave with my son, and so I am keen to start my Montessori training once I have settled in. <br>
Outside of work, I enjoy running and crafting as well as walks in the woods with my family.

Chloe – Montessori Assistant, Qualified Level 3 Practitioner

Hi, my name is Chloe, and I am from Nailsea. I joined the Secret Garden Montessori team in June 2022. I have a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development which I studied at Weston College. I chose a career in childcare as I have a passion for supporting children in their learning and development and I also have an interest in becoming a primary school teacher in the future. I find the Montessori approach very interesting, and I am looking forward to starting my Intergrated Montessori Practice this year.

Kimberley – Montessori Assistant and Qualified Level 3 Practitoner

I have always been interested in children and the Early Years from a young age. I am also interested in the Montessori method and looking forward to starting my Intergrated Montessori training later this year.

I have worked within a private nursery as an additional support worker with SEN children. This has allowed me to have a greater understanding and knowledge of how to support each individual child with their needs.
I am qualified at both Cache level 2 and 3 in Early Years development and whilst studying I also enjoyed visiting the different nurseries during my placements.

I am now looking forward to learning more about the Montessori method and also Forest School

Adela – Assistant Montessori

Hello, my name is Adela and I’m delighted to have joined Secret Garden Montessori in December! I worked in a Spanish after school club at primary schools in 2018 and 2019 before the pandemic. I spent some time volunteering at Organic Blooms Horticultural organic cut flower farm who are a social enterprise, offering City and Guilds training and work preparation for local people with disabilities and support needs. I began working in a nursery in August 2022 and quickly discovered my love for the job. I am currently getting my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification through an apprenticeship and look forward to eventually getting started on a Montessori Diploma! I look forward to learning about the Montessori method, developing my skills and teaching at Secret Garden Montessori! In my free time I enjoy spending time amongst nature, cycling and reading.

Zoe – Assistant Montessori Teacher

Hi, my name is Miss Zoe! I’ve just started my Integrated Montessori qualification and I am so happy to be working here with all of the wonderful children. When I’m not at the nursery, I spend my time out in nature and doing creative things. I am also a Reiki master and a qualified massage therapist

Ann – Assistant Montessori Teacher

Hello my name is Anne. I have always been interested in children’s development and specifically how they learn. I have a degree in Phycology, specialising in child development and education and a diploma in Art Therapy. My experience includes working with children of all ages with learning difficulties and also with children in hospital undergoing long term medical care. I am looking forward now to learning about and undertaking the Montessori Diploma.

Bee – Assistant Montessori Teacher,

Helo my name is Bee. I’m from Malaysia and I can speak Mandarin, Cantonese and Bahasa Malaysia. I am currently working toward my NCFE CACHE Level 3 in Supporting, Teaching and Learning and I am an LSA in a local primary school. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology where I also study Holistic Child Development. I have been working with children and young people aged between 3 to 16 years old for almost 20 years and have volunteered at playgroups when my children were younger. I have always been very interested in the Montessori teaching method and am very thankful to be a part of the Secret Garden Montessori Team and looking forward to doing my Montessori qualification in the near future. As a mother of three aged between 10 to 16, I understand the need to connect, engage, and give them the space to explore, helping them to grow into independent adults and supporting them through their individual learning path. I am a big advocate of respectful parenting – leading and teaching little ones what it means to respect ourselves and each other inside out through meaningful connection, healthy boundaries, consistent routines, time for play and wonder. Working with children gives me enormous satisfaction and joy. I always love listening to their ideas and opinions. During my free time, I enjoy cooking food from all around the world for my family, meeting up with friends for coffee, making crafts, and cross stitches. I love spending time with my family, eating popcorn and watching a good movie together.