Collaborating with Children: Supporting Collaboration, Exploration, and Intrinsic Motivation in the 0-3 Year-Old Child

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.

Hannah Khiani worked as a Director for an Investment Bank for 10 years. After having her own children, she left the City to pursue a more joyful career working with children. Hannah set up and ran local toddler groups and drop-ins for children and families, which inspired her to become a Montessori teacher. She trained as a teaching assistant (AMI) and then received her International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy (MCI). Hannah moved into teacher training, and at MCI was a lecturer and group tutor for the Foundation Degree in Montessori Early Childhood Practice and the Early Years Educator course. More recently, she has written CPD courses for practitioners and developed resources to support inclusive practice in settings. Hannah is passionate about the outdoor environment and works part-time at Unity Montessori School in London, UK, where she can often be found in the school garden playing with the children. Hannah enjoys serving and supporting children, families, students, practitioners, and the wider community as part of Collaborative Montessori.