About Us
Our Philosophy
Cam Valley Montessori's philosophy is for children to be aware of and familiar with the natural world and have the opportunity to safely access it and feel part of it. We believe that children benefit spiritually, emotionally and intellectually from extended outdoor play, being in tune with the seasons and the changes in the environment throughout the year.
In addition, we believe that children enjoy ownership and responsibility and benefit from feeling a part of the Cam Valley Montessori community. The adult carers take a low-key facilitating role and give responsibility and choice of activity to the children. Their focus is on observation and following the needs of each child. Children get the opportunity to sell anything they make and they are given the responsibility for deciding how to spend the profits within Cam Valley Montessori.
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Anne-louise
Anne-louise grew up in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, and then Derbyshire spending the majority of her childhood in the countryside, surrounded by animals. She has a BSc and MSc in Environmental Science from Salford University and has worked as a Farm Interpretation Officer at the Open University; at the Soil Survey of England and Wales researching nitrates in soil, and in the Water Industry analysing drinking water for pesticides. She has a deep love for all children and the countryside.
She also owned a Dutch pancake house in Bristol for 10 years, as well as working as an Outreach Worker for STAR, a Bath-based charity that promotes multi-cultural awareness in educational settings for the Under 8’s.
In 2004, Anne-louise trained at Norland College, Bath through Montessori Centre International and has since worked as an Early Years Montessori Teacher in Montessori nurseries and since 2011, as a twice 'Outstanding' Montessori Childminder. In 2013, Anne-louise completed Montessori training for the primary aged child (6-12 year olds) with Montessori Partnership. She was very lucky and honoured to be awarded Montessori Practitioner 2017. What an amazing surprise, and so many beautiful comments from staff and parents!
Anne-louise now works, also as a tutor for Montessori Partnership and offers Family Constellation Therapy.
Anne-louise has a deep love and interest in the natural world and wants to pass on the opportunity for the next generation to make that connection too! Anne-louise has an enhanced DBS certificate and Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Vanessa
Vanessa did her Early Years training at the University of Seville which allowed her to work with children from 0 to 6 years old and has worked as an Early Years teacher in Spain for several years At this time, she also qualified as an Activity Leader and has taken part in Summer camps and functions. She moved to England in 2014 to improve her English and further her teaching experience and worked as an au pair and nursery assistant in Somerset.
In 2007, Vanessa won a scholarship “Proyecto Leonardo Da Vinci” in Torino Italia and did two months of her apprenticeship at Scuolo Comunale dell infanzia Varallo. That experience woke up her interest in the Montessori Method and was the reason to apply for a job at KleinKinder Montessori.
Vanessa has worked at KleinKinder Montessori since November of 2015, starting her Early Years Pedagogy Montessori training in 2017.
She has taught the home-educated children at KleinKinder, Spanish and been a beacon of calmness, attentiveness and gentleness with the children.