Willows Pre-School - Colliers Wood Nursery Team
Nurture Your Child's Curiosity: Meet the Inspiring Educators
Looking for nurturing and experienced caregivers for your child (ages 1-5) in London? Look no further than Willows Pre-School – Colliers Wood Nursery! Our dedicated team is passionate about early childhood education and committed to fostering a love of learning in every child. You’ll see that our teachers come from diverse backgrounds and share a love for creating a stimulating and supportive environment for young minds to flourish.
Genevieve
Position: Principal
Early Years Professional Status and BSc Psychology
Is the glass half empty or half full? I like to think of it as half full. Positivity radiates in a holistic environment which I strive to create, with our little learners! I have been dedicated to the field of Early Years for over a decade and have worked with children from babies to young teens.
As a result, I believe strongly in the power of diversity and the innate potential of every child. I value inclusion and actively seek to discover the unique voice of each child as they develop. I enjoy cooking different cuisines (the chillier the food, the better!) I love travelling and meeting new people and embracing different cultures. With my mezzo range voice, I enjoy singing and writing songs. My interests involve wellbeing, fashion & conversations with friends and family on current affairs!
Best book read: The Secret, read it, then you’ll know why!
Ana
Position: Deputy Principal
My name is Ana Alvarez Alves, I’m a Spaniard who has been in the UK for over 18 years. I have a QTS qualification as a Primary English Teacher, achieved in Spain prior coming to the UK.
I have a passion for teaching – something I developed and wanted to pursue since childhood during my elementary years. I have acquired more than 16 years’ experience in diverse Settings across London with children ranging from 1 to 5 years old.
I feel confident in my practice and extremely enjoy creating bonds with the children and families I interact with – I feel fulfilled seeing them grow anddevelop through the years. It has been nearly 5 years since I started working at Willows. Began as a Caterpillar Teacher, then aroom leader and finally being promoted to Deputy Principal.
Being a mum myself, I understand and appreciate the value of high-quality education which is always focused on children’s needs, interests and abilities as well as supporting parents during every stage of the way. I’m looking forward to seeing you around and come to join the Willows family.
My favourite book is: The Shadow of the Wind: by Carlos Ruiz Zafón.
Mireille
Position: Coach & Third-in-Charge
BA (Hons) Early Years: Education & Leadership in Practice
Interests: Reading, gardening, watching actual story and action films, cooking and travelling.
I enjoy teaching new skills and observing children develop in their interests. I relish listening to their talking and seeing how I can increase their learning. I find great satisfaction in seeing them mastering milestones such as toilet training. They are impressed by my different tone of voice to light up a celebration or follow the rules. I like to deliver to the best of my ability and being a Mum has enabled me to relate to new parents with their fears and the simple joy of seeing their children growing.
The best book read is: The Bible“
Chris
Position: Pre-School Room Leader/Senco
Post Graduate Cert in Education (PGCE), & BA Hons in Animation
A former primary school teacher and graphic designer.
Supported, by my gang of phonics puppets, to cement their early understanding of the Department for Education’s, “Letters and sounds scheme”, I persist in giving your child the support they need for this special transition.
Introducing a detailed expansion of the ”Understanding of the world” area, and implementing Science experiments galore, I strive to both fascinate and enrich my student’s minds, playing on their natural curiosity!
Be warned… I really get into character, through all areas and have a dressing-up bag, full of character costumes to address all topics!
Best book read: George’s Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl
Perry
Position: Under 3s Room Leader
Level 3 in Early Learning & Childcare
I have been working in childcare for 10 years, spending most of it at Willows.
One of my passions is art, particularly drawing, painting, watching movies, playing video games and collecting Japanese Pokémon cards. I spend a lot of my spare time creating personal projects and I also like to help children to stretch these skills too.
I like to travel and experience different cultures, customs and foods, and I also enjoy reading books and comics (Marvel all the way) in my spare time.
I enjoy the new challenge that is presented every day and helping to develop children’s interests and skills.
Best book read: ‘Atlas Shrugged’”
Maria R
Position: Coach & Teacher
Advanced Technician In Early Years Education Higher National Certificate
I was born and raised in Madrid (Spain). I consider myself very lucky since working with children is my passion.
I have had the opportunity to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers around the world, in countries such as Germany, Chile, the United States and Spain. I arrived in the UK alongside my husband and my little one Olivia in August 2020, where we are starting to live a new adventure.
In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and travel. In my opinion, there is no better way to live life.
Georgina
Position: Teacher
Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood Studies
Hello I’m Georgina, I have had the privilege of working with children for over 10 years and the journey has been rewarding. I have learnt so much on the way, from the children, parents and work colleagues past and present. I am a bubbly person who loves to make people smile, I love looking after children, teaching them and them teaching me on how to be a better teacher. I have always said from when I got into childcare I would treat the children with so much care and protection just how I would for my own. My aim is to give the children the best learning experience whilst in my care to help them grow and develop. It takes a BIG heart to shape little minds!
Best book read: Manifest Now
Maria C
Position: Teacher
What I love the most of working with children, is giving them the possibility of being who they want to be and offering them the best version of themselves: strong, happy and independent individuals. As the time progresses, I am setting for them an environment full of love, security and chances to learn and grow. As well as this, seeing their smiles and being able to watch them flourish gives me all the joy and the reassurance that teaching is my place.
Best book you’ve read: As a book lover, saying just one book might be a bit hard, so I would go with Wuthering heights by Emily Brontë, Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, Nada by Carmen Laforet, La sombra del viento by Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Os pazos de Ulloa by Emilia Pardo Bazán.
Savita
Position: Teacher
I have worked in childcare for over ten years. My aspiration is to consistently work closely with colleagues to establish the highest standards of achievement & responsibility for the welfare & safety of all, creating a positive working environment.
I am creative, conscientious, flexible, patient & enthusiastic which has culminated in various fundraising projects for children in my spare time such as National Deaf Children’s Society, Hope, Medical Aid for Palestine & Sickle Cell Society. I am friendly, passionate & enjoy working with a variety of people. I appreciate the arts & a holistic lifestyle, that includes making healthy, conscientious & sustainable choices
In my creative endeavours I have studied Footwear & Accessories Design at the world renowned Cordwainers College in London. This culminated in exhibiting my footwear designs at the prestigious London College of Fashion. The display provided a snapshot of women’s shoes across 300 years from graduates, to historic items. In addition to exhibiting at the Clothes Show Live project in Birmingham & MTV fashion exhibition in Paris, France.
Magda
Position: Teacher
Hello! My name is Magda, I was born and grew up in Poland.
I have chosen to work in the Early Years sector, simply because I like children. I love spending time and having fun with them. I like to talk with children about different matters, seeing the world from their perspectives and through their eyes. I come from a big family and have lots of little cousins, therefore spending time with the children was always very natural for me. I graduated with BA in Education and Early Childhood Studies not long ago, and I am learning each day what it really means to be a good educator. I strongly believe that working with and for children is much more than just a job; it is truly a mission. When I am not in the nursery, I like to cook, trying out new recipes, whilst listening to music. One of my favourite books includes The Little Prince.
Sade
Position: Teaching Assistant
Hello, my name is Sade. I graduated in the year 2021 with a BA Hons Media Communications Degree. As much as I have a passion for creating content, I also fell in love with childcare. It is very rewarding teaching in Early Years, and the children put a smile on my face daily.
I enjoy listening to music, watching movies and taking long walks around the park during Spring and Summer. I am currently studying for my Level 3 in Early Years and look forward to becoming a Qualified Teacher at Willows.
My favourite book I have read is: The Bible in 52 Weeks, by Dr. Kimberly D. Moore
Merlinda
Position: Teaching Assistant
Hi, My name is Merlinda Agalliu. I was born in Albania and I grew up in Greece. I Graduated from Technical Vocational Educational High School to be a Care Assistant. I worked in care homes and domiciliary care for six years, but I always loved the idea of working with little people, and when I finally got the chance to do that, I loved it! I’m a bubbly person and very sociable. I enjoy listening to music, watching series and movies and taking pictures of nature and people. I also love dancing and singing. What I enjoy mostly working with young people is that one hug or smile from them can make your day so much better and you get to watch them grow into their personalities, which is a true blessing.
Senthuran
Position: Teaching Assistant
I am truly blessed to be working with children as it’s my passion and I love to see them flourish and develop their skills as a child. One of my other passions is art, drawing and painting and also learning about the Artist and exploring their artistic techniques and their culture and life history.
I would also like to travel to different destinations and experience the rich cultures, customs, foods and talk to the people and feel the real travelling experience. The two destinations that I would like to visit are Polynesian islands and Amritsar Punjab.
My career aspiration for Early years is to improve my skills, knowledge and understanding of the setting as a nursery Teaching Assistant with my CPD courses and working my way through the nursery setting.
My favourite book is: ‘Planet Earth 3’ because I thoroughly love animals and the Planet Earth series and other Sir David Attenborough shows. Another reason why I love this book is because I like to learn about the animals, habitats and lifestyles and I really want to help them and take of animals that are around us.
My career aspiration for Early years is to improve my skills, knowledge and understanding of the setting as a nursery Teaching Assistant with my CPD courses and progressing my journey, through the Willows setting.
Rosi
Position: Teaching Assistant
Hi, I’m Rosi and childcare is a lifelong learning experience as you are able to discover new ways of thinking and seeing things from a child’s perspective, which is priceless. A child is full of curiosity and eager to discover new things. When I started working with children, I realised that every new thing you teach them will make you feel happy, because they enjoy learning new things. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, exercising and spending time with my family.
