Mount Carmel Kindergarten is a family run nursery school and our staff form part of this family. We pride ourself on the diversity of our staff team and the broad range of experiences they bring to the setting.
Director of Education
Lucia established Mount Carmel Kindergarten with her husband Franco in 1985. As a mother of ten children herself she is considered, by many, as a guru in the Early Years sector.
Qualifications: Early Years Professional Status (2009), BA (Hons) Educational Studies 2007.
Bursar
Franco deals with the administration, fee enquiries and general maintenance of the nursery school. He grew up in Rome and has a passion for pizza (he even installed a wood burning pizza oven in his kitchen).
Principal - Sandpit House
Gabriella Spooner (nee Federici) has worked in Early Years since 2008 and brings her experience from a number of different roles within the sector. Now as a mother of 2 children she has gained a new perspective and understanding of the pressures on modern Mums. In her ‘spare’ time she enjoys singing and dancing with the St Albans Musical Theatre Company.
Qualifications: Early Years Professional Status (2013), BA (Hons) Educational Studies and Early Years (2013)
Principal - Kinder Lodge
Roberto had initially pursued a career in law and qualified as a Solicitor in 2014. However, not enthused about a lifetime behind an office desk he retrained as an Early Years Teacher and joined the family business. Roberto brings a male perspective into the nursery and has enhanced the parents’ experience through introducing online learning journals, weekly blogs and social media.
Qualifications: Early Years Teacher Status (2015), Solicitor (non-practising), LLB Law (2010).
Publications: M.Sakr, R. Federici, N.Hall, B. Trivedy, L.O'Brien, Creativity and Making in Early Childhood, 1st ed. Bloomsbury, 2018
Kinder Lodge
Miss Natalie organises one to one sessions with the preschool children to develop their maths, literacy and reading skills in the classroom. Outside of nursery she runs her own face painting company which is a big hit at our holiday club. She also has an interest for indoor skydiving!
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Educational Studies (2014)
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Cannell is a mother to two girls and brings her insight as a parent when supporting families at the nursery. Mrs Cannell loves to be outdoors, riding horses or walking her dog, and shares this interest with the children at every opportunity.
Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 Childcare
Sandpit House
Mrs Beechey has a natural affinity with children and enhances their experience with her energy and enthusiasm. Before working at the nursery Mrs Beechey sailed the seven seas working on cruise ships, then working her magic at the Harry Potter tour in Leavesden.
Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 in Childcare
Sandpit House
Mrs Fordos brings her energetic spirit and natural rapport with children to the nursery school. She is Hugarian but comes from Slovakia, and outside of nursery has an interest in photography.
Qualifications: Currently undertaking CACHE Level 3 Childcare
Kinder Lodge
Miss Richards has been a dancer since the age of 5 and has competed in events around the country, bagging her over 50 trophies in disciplines including street, ballet, tap and modern. Miss Richards brings her energy and enthusiasm into everything she does in the nursery, particularly when leading dance activities in the gym.
Qualifications: CACHE Level 2 in Childcare and currently undertaking Level 3.
Sandpit House
Originally from Spain, Miss Marta brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from a range of different settings across the continent, together with her zest for life and beaming smile. She turns any session into a fiesta and loves to show the children her flamenco at every opportunity!
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Early Years (2011), Early Years Teacher Certificate (Spain, 2012), BA (Hons) Primary Education (2016)
Sandpit House
Miss Hannah undertook her University placement with us in 2016 and joined our team after graduating. She has a wealth of experience and is always thinking of new ideas for fun activities and games; there’s never a dull day with her around!
Qualifications: Level 3 in CACHE Childcare Learning and Development, BA (Hons) Education Studies (2017).
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Campagna is a mother to two young daughters (and a puppy!), so brings a parent’s perspective and an insatiable sense of fun. Maria’s family come from Sicily so she shares the Federici family’s passion for all things Italian!
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Geography (2004).
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Tarelli qualified from University as a Primary School Teacher and she has subsequently spent the past sixteen years working in schools with a passion for Early Years. She has a solid understanding of how to prepare children in their transition to Primary School and supports them with her kind and warm nature. At home she is a busy mummy to her daughter and two sons.
Qualifications: Ba (Hons) Primary Education with Initial Teacher Training (2003)
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Connell has 15 years of experience and knowledge of working in preschools. She loves supporting children and parents in overcoming the different challenges they may face in the early years and brings her boundless enthusiasm to the role. In her spare time she runs a Beaver group and is also involved in the St Albans Scout and Guide Gang Show. She has a teenage son and relaxes by walking her chocolate Labrador ‘Mollie’.
Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 in Childcare
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Pugh’s career began in Speech and Language Therapy, working for the NHS in schools, nurseries and children’s centres. She has experience working with children with a variety of communication difficulties and special educational needs. Since becoming a Mum she has moved into Early Years and uses her past experience to support language development in the setting. Charlotte is also talented musician and her band “One Hope Project” is moving up the charts on Spotify.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Education & Sociology (2013), MSc Human Communication Sciences (2016)
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Wilkins brings a wonderfully personal degree of warmth and experience, having watched her own children enjoy their nursery years at Mount Carmel. After they started school she just couldn't stay away! Before moving to St Albans, Susan worked as a PA at Google and L'Oréal.
Qualifications: MA (Hons) Sociology (2004).
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Fernando has experience working with children with additional needs and is currently developing her skills in Makaton signing and Downs Syndrome. Outside of nursery Ishanka is an avid baker, creating celebration cakes and other baked treats for friends and family – watch out Great British Bake Off!
Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 in Childcare
Sandpit House
Mrs Ward took a career break from the world of academia to have her two young daughters. She quickly realised that her passion for teaching and learning lay in the EYFS rather than Higher Education. She bring a parent’s perspective and an understanding of how make fun activities double up as learning opportunities. Outside of nursery she can be found in an art gallery or museum, or with her head in a book.
Qualifications: PhD in Art History and Medical Humanities (2015); PgCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2010); Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2010)
Sandpit House
Miss Delia has a calm, nurturing and gentle approach which helps to build strong relationships with the children in her care. Originally from the Canary Islands, she is fluent in Spanish and is on hand to support children with English as a second language. Prior to Mount Carmel she has worked as a private Nanny which gave her hands on experience working with young children and families.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Education (2013)
Kinder Lodge
Mrs Baker is a member of Equity and her passion lies in Italian opera. In her spare time she loves to perform at local events, including the St Albans Christmas Lights switch on. She brings her musical talents and dramatic personality into all that she does at the nursery.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies
Kinder Lodge
Miss Gray loves drama and isn’t shy to get involved during assembly and singing time. She has a passion for acting and helps the children to develop their imagination through role play.
Sandpit House
Miss McShane is energetic, disciplined and full of enthusiasm which has been greatly influenced by her love of playing rugby. Nothing phases her and she jumps at any opportunity to get involved and she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty.
Qualifications: Currently undertaking CACHE Level 2 in Childcare
Kinder Lodge
Miss Milward loves all things creative, with a particular passion for art, photography and baking. She comes from a large family and has a natural empathy for young children. In her free time she loves the outdoors and enjoys camping holidays with her family and friends. Can you guess what her favourite colour is?!
Qualifications: Currently undertaking CACHE Level 2 in Childcare
Kinder Lodge
Miss Gilbert is a positive, upbeat and kind natured person with a passion for Early Years. She is always ready to play and always makes sure that everyone is included.
Qualifications: Currently undertaking CACHE Level 2 in Childcare
Sandpit House
Miss Thomas’ interest in psychology and mental health lead her to pursue a career in Early Years education. She has knowledge of the importance of childhood attachment and understands how a child’s early years experience has a significant impact on their future development and wellbeing.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Psychology (2016), MSc (Hons) Mental Health Studies (2018)
Sandpit House
Miss Watts was inspired to work in Early Years after her Year 10 work experience at a local Primary School. She has also worked as a creche helper at the Celebrate Conferences, assisting children with arts and crafts activities. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding and is a member of the St Albans Gang Show.
Qualifications: Currently undertaking CACHE Level 2 in Childcare
