Our team

The people who make Dawmouse, Dawmouse

Warm, experienced and Montessori-trained — our small team is the reason families trust us with their most precious little ones.

A welcome from Miss Claire

Meet the heart of our setting

Miss Claire leads Dawmouse with the same warmth and steadiness that families have come to rely on, and there is no better introduction to who we are than to hear from her directly. Press play for a short hello, and a glimpse of the little community she and the team have built.

Under her care, Dawmouse has held fast to what matters: knowing every child as an individual, keeping our doors genuinely open to parents, and making sure that every single day here begins with a kind good morning.

Our practitioners

Experienced, gentle and genuinely fond of your children

Our practitioners are Montessori-trained and, just as importantly, chosen for their kindness. Because we are a small setting, the same familiar faces greet your child each morning, come to know their likes and quirks and comfort routines, and build the kind of trusting relationship in which a young child feels safe enough to flourish.

Fully qualified

Our team holds recognised early-years and Montessori qualifications, and we keep our training current so practice never stands still.

Safeguarding first

Every member of staff is DBS-checked and trained in safeguarding and paediatric first aid, because nothing matters more than your child's safety.

Familiar faces

Low turnover and a small team mean your child sees the same trusted adults every day — the bedrock of settled, happy learning.

Enrichment

Football with Coach Patsy

Alongside our everyday Montessori work, the children look forward to regular sessions with Coach Patsy, who brings games, footballs and no small amount of laughter onto our outdoor space. It is a wonderful way for even our youngest to build confidence, coordination and the simple joy of moving and playing as part of a team — and, more often than not, it is the highlight of the week.

Our thoughts on what we get asked the most

Does my child need to be potty trained before starting?

No — children do not need to be potty trained before they start with us. We have a nappy changing station, and when the time is right we will support you and your child through potty training, sharing what we have learned over the years with any family who would like the help.

Do the children just play all day?

Play is how young children learn, but there is far more to a Montessori day than simply playing. The children are free to explore and choose activities that interest them, and though the materials can look like toys they are purposeful activities across practical life, mathematics, language and the senses, arranged on the shelves from simpler to more challenging so each child builds skills and independence at their own pace.

Why can't my child read yet?

Reading, writing and number recognition come when a child is ready, and pushing them too early tends to discourage rather than help. From the moment a child joins us the environment is quietly preparing them: activities are laid out left to right in readiness for reading and writing, sensorial work strengthens the muscles used for writing, and sorting and matching introduce early mathematics and problem-solving without a worksheet in sight.

How do you prepare children for school?

We do not like to force children, but we know some go on to schools that assess for entry, so we help them get ready — recognising letters and numbers in the environment, mark-making and tracing, and plenty of open-ended conversation, all underpinned by the grace and courtesy that serves a child anywhere. Over the years our children have gone on to many local schools, and we are always happy to talk through which ones might suit yours.

How do you manage children's behaviour?

Behaviour is usually a young child's way of expressing a feeling or a need, so we start by getting to know each child as an individual, and when someone is finding things hard we listen, talk with their parents, and give them a little space to reflect on their choices. We often use books such as The Colour Monster to help a child name what they are feeling and then work out why, which builds the self-awareness that heads off a good deal of the difficulty in the first place.

My child says they did 'nothing' today — is that true?

Almost never. Young children often simply don't remember, or don't fancy recounting their morning, so we hold a circle time after lunch to talk through what everyone has done. We also share weekly updates through the My Montessori Child app, showing what your child has worked on and how they are progressing, and we try to send a note of the next day's planned activities so you have a gentle steer for the conversation at home.

Do the children go outside every day?

Yes, weather permitting. We are fortunate to have a large outdoor playground, and we aim for at least half an hour outside each day — often more on fine days, when we can bring the classroom outdoors altogether. On the wettest days it might be only a few minutes of fresh air before we move to our indoor gymnasium, but getting outside every day matters to us.

Why has my child come home with their shoes on the wrong feet?

Because we encourage the children to do things for themselves, dressing included. It is not always perfect and it can take a while at first, but giving a child the time and space to manage their own coat and shoes is how the skill — and the confidence that comes with it — takes root, and the little mix-ups sort themselves out as they practise.