Sarah Olley was lucky enough to have a Montessori education from 2 to 9 years of age. She studied at the London Montessori Centre (now Montessori Centre International, MCI) after traveling and working in Africa. The dream was to return and work with families in rural communities. Instead, in 1988, Sarah started working in an East London school and took on evening work at MCI. Sarah moved to a full-time position at MCI, where her roles included being a group tutor for Foundation Degree and Montessori Diploma courses, lecturing in all curriculum areas, supporting student well-being and study skills, mentoring, quality assurance, school accreditation, and providing bespoke CPD. She was part of the team that developed the Montessori Early Years Educator program and has owned her own small Nido and Children’s House. She was highly commended in Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year awards in 2015. Sarah also led MCI’s outreach work at the Museum of Childhood, focusing on play sessions for children under 3. Her heart and soul is in working with others to continually improve experiences for children through Collaborative Montessori.
