Sylwia Zywotko
Founder and Managing Director
Sylwia is a home educating mum of two, who enjoys traveling to experience different cultures and new places. She loves cycling and reading.
Sylwia’s professional background is in Early Years and Montessori education. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Years and Social Work and a master’s degree in Pedagogy. She first fell in love with Montessori education when studying in The Netherlands. She went on to study at Montessori Centre International in London in 2008. In 2012 she studied to become a Montessori trainer and went on to become a deputy for Montessori Movement in the UK Northwest Region.
The Montessori philosophy is Sylwia’s passion and inspiration through which she observes and understands child development. She values the Montessori method for the way it gently supports the holistic development of individuals. Her passion is so strong, that she wishes to inspire and support other families to explore Montessori education together.
Amy Glenister-Marshall
Deputy Manager and SENCo
Amy is a mum of two young children and a spaniel. She enjoys camping with friends, pottering in her yarden and creative hobbies including crochet, painting, and ceramics. She also collects children’s books. She loves sharing her collection with the children at her favourite time of day: story time.
Amy has worked in education for seventeen years in a variety of roles including Additional Needs Support Assistant, Early Years and Key Stage One Teacher, Assistant SENCo, and Designated Safeguarding Lead. She has experience of supporting children with a range of additional needs and has trained in British Sign Language Level 1, Picture Exchange Communication System, ELKLan Speech and Language support, Understanding and Supporting Children with Downs Syndrome, Autism, and Behaviour Support. She has a degree in Fine Art and a PGCE in Early Years Education.
Amy’s passion is for early development (0-5 years) with a focus on creative, child lead education. She values learning provision that is well organised, accessible to all, built around the child, and engaging. She is a strong advocate for meaningful inclusion, early identification of need, and holistic support.
Nathalie Wickramasinghe
Montessori Curriculum Leader
“Hello, my name is Nathalie. I have worked in the childcare sector for 28 years, starting my carrier as a nursery practitioner, Prep Classroom Supervisor and later took the role of Nursery Manager. I have been fortunate to have lived and worked abroad in countries such as the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Dubai.
I am very passionate about teaching and look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with you, and the children of Manchester Montessori House, maintaining a high quality inspirational learning environment.
I believe that the early years of a child’s life are most formative. The Montessori environment supports every aspect of a child’s development, providing the best start in early education and learning”.
Emelie Bernard
Forest School Practioner
Emelie is working towards her Level 3 Forest School qualification. She started her career working with children as a nanny abroad. Shortly after she qualified as a Level 2 swimming instructor and currently works at Withington Baths teaching children and adults.
Emelie moved to Manchester in 2019 and has quickly made it her new home. She worked in a mainstream school as Special Education Needs Teaching Assistant, delivering interventions, one-to-one support, and running an after-school Forest School program. Here, she gained invaluable experience and knowledge of Special Education Needs, Social Emotional Mental Health and the National Curriculum in Primary Schools.
Being a Forest School Leader brings together two of Emelie’s passions: Nature and child development. She takes pride in building strong relationships, being creative, understanding the value of play and the importance of holistic development. Emelie strives to make her practice and daily life as sustainable as possible.
In her spare time, you can find Emelie gardening in her allotment, foraging for plants or crafting.
Hello. I’m Doreen. I have worked in the Early Years Sector for about 30 years now. I qualified in Level 3 National Childhood Studies, Childcare Certificate and SENCO. I also have other qualification relating to child development.
My love and passion for working with young children is when my own children were little. I worked as a nursery nurse practitioner but soon after became self employed as a Child Minder for 0-5 yrs olds always achieving a level 5. This was very rewarding. Later as my own children grew I took my skills to work as Teaching Assistant in schools. Again, very rewarding role seeing the children in my care achieve their goals each time with a smile.
I am a creative person with the loves for baking and crafting. I have been told many a times that I am a very patient person. I enjoy engaging in the learning of the child weather indoors or at play out doors. With the children we are able to cook and bake delicious foods together. Which is always a fun time. I am passionate about children being hands on when it comes to their own craft. With me, it is always a Well Done. It brings confidence.
I am very fortunate to be a part of the Montessori House Team where each child and staff feels and are very much valued.
For the last 10 years I have been practicing as a visual artist specialising in the historical photographic technique Wet Plate Collodion. My work is inspired by people and places in the style of a documentary, with a keen interest in engaging local community groups in a diverse range of arts. Before having children I spent six years touring the country with my travelling Victorian Darkroom.
Manchester Montessori House 