I am a teacher with 40+ years of experience in both the UK and Spain and have three grown up children. I started the school in 1997 but the seed of the idea had been with me for much longer. My teaching experience had led me to two central beliefs; firstly that school should be a happy, enjoyable and useful time and, secondly, that most causes of children's failures at school lie within the inflexibility of school systems, teachers and parents and not within the child. I love the way Educare children are quick to come to school in the morning and slow to leave in the afternoon. They laugh and love and cry but most of all they enjoy learning and have a zest for life. I am proud that Educare children value their individuality and respect themselves and others.
I have been a teacher for 25 years - some of which I spent in Indonesia - and joined Educare in September 1999 to work with both the key stage 2 and 1 children. The children are thoughtful, caring and happy and it's great to see the way they focus on their work, how they engage with new topics, bringing their own ideas and findings, and that they are able to question and think for themselves. I also particularly like the strength of the community at Educare and the support within it.
I am the Kindergarten teacher at Educare and work with children aged between three and five. After taking a gap year to travel around the world, I started working for this lovely school in January 2008 as a supply teacher and am now very happy to be the permanent teacher. I come from a family of teachers and no school I have seen compares to Educare; it is such a special environment where exceptional care and education come in to play. The school is a happy, safe and stimulating place to work and I hope to spend many more years here.
I am originally from South Africa and joined Educare as a full-time Teaching Assistant in January 2005 and work in the Hall with the Butterflies and Dolphins. I have enjoyed every moment since coming here; I have got to know every child as an individual and it is wonderful to see how united the parents are together for their children and their children's education. The school has a wonderful atmosphere; you can feel it is unique as soon as you walk through the doors.
I was born in Nepal and came to England ten years ago. I first joined the Educare Kindergarten in 2006 as part of my teaching assistant diploma and came back as a member of staff when I qualified. I enjoy being in a small group and the good team membership. I especially like the school's down to earth approach to education and development.
I am a founder member of Educare Small School; since 1994 I have been exploring ways to integrate the Alexander Technique into the school day for Kindergarten and Primary level children. This is considered to be pioneering work and attracts worldwide attention. I am also qualified in diet and nutrition and twice yearly provide parents with the opportunity to accompany their children for food sensitivity testing and advice. I have trained in several other disciplines such as Brain Gym®, EFT and Metamorphic Technique. In this crazy, stressed-out world my aim is that every Educare pupil leaves with the skills to find physical, emotional and mental balance in their future lives.
Since graduating from the Royal College of Music I have performed professionally and recorded three CDs. I also have a diploma in teaching and work in a number of local schools. I have been teaching music at Educare Small School since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy it because the children are very receptive to creative learning and are confident. They are always ready to 'have a go' and I always find I have full support from the teaching staff
I joined Educare as the Lunchtime Supervisor in December 2005 and I also work in the After School Club for 2 days a week. I was born in the Phillipines and have a BSc in Banking and Finance. After coming to London I worked as a governess in Golders Green, a nursing auxiliary in UCH and in a bank where I met my husband. I now have two sons aged 21 and 19. I like the atmosphere at Educare and I'm very happy . I like the discipline that the children start with, it's totally different from my children's schools. The children at Educare are polite and very independent. They are unique.
The school has a larger circle of supporting staff some of whom are voluntary. The After School Club employs a manager and a supervisor every day. The manager is the same every day but the supervisors are different on different days. The school uses Le Club Francais for French tuition because their teachers are native French speakers and because of the fun way they teach French using games and songs. Reading Buddies are volunteer parents or grandparents who regularly listen to the children reading. This important time allows children to have a valuable space alone with an adult to talk and read.