LITTLE CAKES MONTESSORI - Key Persons
Once a city worker turned full-time mum of 2, decided to leverage her 12 years of childcare experience and Psychological Sciences degree to obtain her International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy. The Montessori philosophy left such a mark that she decided to open her own school! Both of her children attended Little Cakes. Alpa loves to bake, loves to run, and keeps fit, mostly by running around like crazy trying to make everything perfect! Oh... and she sees herself as a Master Baker!
Anush joined Little Cakes as a nursery assistant in October 2021. She will be starting her early years qualifications this September 2022. Previous to this, Anush, studied fashion and worked within the industry. After her children were born (2 boys) she decided to leave full-time work and devote herself to her family. Whilst volunteering at her sons' school, Anush discovered she loved working with children.
Job Titles:
- Teaching Assistant, Baby Room
Charlotte is currently doing work experience at Little Cakes and is a student at the University of York. She has 6 months of experience working with children with learning disabilities. In the future, she would like to go into Primary school teaching. In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys walking her dog, spending time with family, and going to the theatre. Interestingly, Charlotte can touch her nose with her tongue! She is a baker! And likes making cakes and trays bakes.
Ira recently joined Little Cakes as the new administration assistant. She has 2 years of experience with being around children at a language school in Singapore. Ira is Singaporean Malay and her husband is British Mauritian so there are quite a few languages being spoken in her home! Ira makes and sells scented candles as a hobby and is also a keen collector of vintage teacups and fine china. She once attempted to climb Mount Fuji in Japan without any training or warm-ups but still made it three-quarters of the way! Ira does bake! However, she said she is a better cook than a baker but she can make decent Napolitaines (Mauritian sandwich cookies) though.
Jen has been with Little Cakes since January 2020. She is a qualified teacher (reception age), has NCFE CACHE level 3, and has over 10 years of experience in working with children. Prior to early years education, Jen was a Geophysicist! But a calling to work with children instigated the career change. Jen has 3 of her own children, her youngest is at Little Cakes. She brings a sense of adventure to the Little Cakes team and definitely likes to give everything a go. When she gets some spare time you will find her baking gluten-free brownies (yes she is a baker) whilst either watching the X-Files or listening to West Life!
Job Titles:
- Teaching Assistant. Pre - School & Baby Rooms
Joseph has been with Little Cakes since January 2020. He has almost 2 years of experience working with children. Joseph has completed has his CACHE level 2 in Early Years Workforce and is now in the process of gaining his level 3. In the future, he will be undertaking Forest school training. Joseph's background is Music Composition and Sound Design. He teaches guitar and often sings with the kids in the preschool room
In his spare time, he produces music for various clients (he has a professional recording studio in his home). Joseph enjoys the outdoor life so you'll find him hiking and camping when he can.
He is not a baker! But sure likes consuming baked goods, especially Mrs Mubarak's cakes.
Julie has been with Little Cakes since December 2020.
Her passion is working with young children - with 25 years of experience in early years education. She has completed NVQ year 3. Julie is a good listener, extremely diplomatic, and easy to talk to - she has to be as she has 3 kids of her own. Most of Julie's spare time is taken up being a taxi driver to her kids, however, she does enjoy trips to London to see the sights or to go to the theatre. She likes nothing more than snuggling up on her sofa to watch a good TV drama whilst eating a raspberry Magnum (yum!). And finally she likes baking!
Katie has been with Little Cakes since 2012 and is now a fully qualified Montessori teacher. She is honored to work with children and to be part of each child's journey. Katie strives to make all the childrens' early education a positive experience so that they are equipped ready for their next step. She has completed CACHE levels 2 and 3 in Early Years Workforce plus level 1 in Makaton (a unique language that uses symbols, signs, and speech). Katie enjoys going to gym classes, walking her dog, and having dinner parties. She has 3 children who are all now in secondary school. Katie is not a baker! However, she can still do cartwheels (but please don't ask her to demonstrate….
Job Titles:
- Kitchen Assistant & Pre - School Room
Keiko recently joined Little Cakes in November 2021. Her main role is to prep all the kids' daily meals and snacks. And she also assists in the preschool room when needed. Keiko is a qualified Japanese kindergarten and nursery teacher. She also has previous experience volunteering in primary schools. Keiko has 3 children and a cat. She enjoys playing badminton with friends and practices yoga every day. Keiko's guilty pleasure is sushi! And finally, Keiko is a baker! She loves all types of cooking as well as baking bread and cakes for her friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Nursery Assistant. Pre - School Room
Priyanka recently joined Little Cakes in January 2022. She previously worked in a nursery in Scotland and holds a Scottish qualification in childcare. She is a mum to 3 children and has been actively volunteering in primary schools before joining here. At Little Cakes, Priyanka enjoys singing different rhymes with kids. Since turning vegan during lockdown, Priyanka enjoys experimenting and making vegan replicas of her favourite dishes and Indian sweets. In her spare time, Priyanka likes to play badminton and going on walks with friends and family. And she loves baking!!
Rajinder recently joined Little Cakes as a nursery assistant in March 2022. She has completed NVQ CACHE level 1. Previous to Little Cakes, Rajinder volunteered at childrens holiday camps run by her sister. Rajinder has 2 teenage daughters, aged 14 and 16 years. In her spare time, she takes part in Zumba classes and enjoys socialising, eating out and dancing with her friends. And she is a brown belt in martial arts! Rajinder has also travelled extensively, her favourite destinations so far have been The Maldives, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Barbados and St Lucia.
Rajinder is NOT a baker! But prefers eating the sweet treats that her daughters bake instead!
Job Titles:
- Deputy Manager. Pre - School Room
Sarika has been with Little Cakes since April 2016. She has 6 years of experience in Early Years education and has just completed her CACHE Level 3 in Early Years Workforce.
Sarika has 2 daughters, one of whom attended Little Cakes, and she lives in the area. In her spare time Sarika enjoys playing badminton, yoga, pilates, walking and generally keeping fit. She also likes to experiment with cooking different international savory dishes and is always checking out new recipes. Sarika is a novice baker, she has enjoyed baking cakes, cookies, and cupcakes so far.
Job Titles:
- Teaching Assistant. Baby Room
Shailaja has been with Little Cakes for 18 months. She has almost 6 years of experience in childcare settings. Shailaja has excellent knowledge in EYFS plus Safe Guarding and she has a first-aid certificate. She will be starting her level 3 in September 2022. Shailaja especially enjoys cooking activities with the children.
In her spare time, Shailaja likes spending time with her family (she has 2 children) and loves playing badminton at a club in Amersham. She also enjoys cycling and walking.
Swati has been with Little Cakes since February 2021. She has 10 years of experience in early years education, with a focus on Montessori teaching and child-led learning and development. Swati enjoys doing arts and crafts with the children at Little Cakes as well as creating her own art in her spare time. Swati practices yoga enjoys weekend walks, and frequently watches plays and movies. She loves spending time with her own 3 children. Swati is a keen cook and picks up new quick and easy vegetarian recipes from Instagram. She can make a mean banana bread but prefers eating cakes to baking them!