Our Staff

Our Teachers

All of our staff are highly trained in the field of childcare. Every year we participate in a number of courses for CPD (continued professional development) to maintain, update and grow our knowledge. This ensures our ability to stay up to date with current best practices and offer the best evidenced based care and nurturing for your child, all the while keeping them safe in our care. Some examples of this year’s CPD are: Introduction to Trauma Awareness, Children First Training and Occupational First Aid.

Marian Gartland

Principal | Montessori Teacher

Hello, my name is Marian

I discovered my passion for working with children while on my own inner journey which led to a total career change during mid life. I created Our World Montessori School almost 30 years ago and I still feel privileged to share in the journey of the children’s first years of their lives. my early career fed my creative side and I bring this into my teaching. I teach through projects linking art, yoga, music, songs & dance throughout the year.

Creativity is at the heart of Our World Montessori. “We must create an eye that sees, a hand that obeys, a soul that feels… once we have lived, the inner spark of vision does the rest”

My qualifications are in childcare birth to 14 years.
Advanced Supervision in childcare. Montessori birth to 6 years.
Diploma in Art Teaching 3 years to 14 years.
Child & adolescent psychology.

Perhaps a great future leader or a great genius is with us and his power will come from the power of the child he is today. This is the vision that we must have.

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Laura O’Mahony

Lead Educator – Montessori Teacher –  Inclusion Coordinator

level 5 award in social care, level 6 award in early childhood care and Montessori education, Cert. Leadership for Inclusion

Hello, my name is Laura O’Mahoney and I am the Deputy Manager at Our World Montessori School. I am enthusiastic, patient, kind, and caring. I am very passionate about providing a safe, nurturing, happy and inclusive environment for all children. 

"The child passes little by little from the unconscious to the conscious, treading always in the paths of joy and love" - Maria Montessori. 

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Karenina Dunne

Manager – Forest School & Montessori Teacher

Our World Montessori

Early Years Educator/Manager (2003- 2010)

Manager/Montessori teacher (2014-2016)

Wild By Nature Forest School

Level 3 Forest School Leader Trained (2016-2018)

Forest school leader@ Bushy Park Forest Camp & @ Phoenix Forest School

Started my own Forest school - 2020 to date

Through Forest School Pedagogy and The Montessori method I have developed a passion for child-led practices, especially in the outdoors. Spending as much time in the outdoors, helps us to feel grounded, connected to something both bigger and part of ourselves. I love to witness the pure joy the children feel in the outdoors.

My aim is to instil this sense of connection with the groups I work with by offering a broad range of age appropriate, outdoor activity skills. We discover the seasonal changes together, how it is all working in unison & respecting the environment. We show the children skills such as the magic of fire by cooking outdoors, using foraged plants & berries, showing them the different properties of our finds in nature. Broadening their sense of accomplishment, confidence & self esteem by helping them achieve their own intrinsic goals and ideas. We use woodwork tools, ropes, natural sensory materials such a clay and water, climbing trees, swinging in hammocks, looking under rocks.

QUOTE:

“INTO THE FOREST I GO, TO LOSE MY MIND AND FIND MY SOUL”. JOHN MUIR

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What do parents say about us

Testimonials

When we moved to Ireland from New Zealand with our two children, we knew how important it was to find the right education for our youngest child, Arlo. Marian and the Our World Montessori allowed Arlo to grow with his imagination. The teachers are so amazing, to the point that we actually count them as part of our family. It was such a special place to be a part of and we can't recommend it enough for someone looking to give their child the best start to their schooling years
Ryan & Haley
Our two eldest children, now in primary school, still talk so fondly of their time at Our World. Marian and the teachers are so caring, kind and committed to each child and our two daughters skipped in happy every morning with smiles on their faces, excited about the day ahead. They were provided with every opportunity to explore and grow and received the best preparation for primary school. Singing, dancing, arts and crafts, forest school; there is so much to experience at Our World.
Rachel & Mark Jenkinson
I have many fond memories of Marian, she was a very loving and calming presence during my childhood. As an art-loving kid who had just moved from another country, I remember looking forward to working with her and being creative, it definitely helped me through a delicate time.
Benedetto Fiore Italy
I remember very fondly my time at Our World, from the very first day I entered that amazing world of colours and patterns I was lovingly nurtured by Marian and the other amazing teachers, to the point I was almost sad to leave every day. It was amazing to come back years later and realise that nothing has changed!
Tomasso Fiore Italy
Marian Gartland was one of the kindest, most caring and creative people our twin girls encountered in their early years and I know that those wonderful times informed their development right through their school years and into adulthood....
Fiachna Ó Braonáin
We brought Cian to Marian when he was very small . From the moment I met Marian I felt and knew that Cian was in good hands . I see that she and those who work with her pay close attention to the individuals in their care . They encourage expression and childhood energy while guiding through a colourful road of learning . Above all else I see love.
Liam Ó Maonlaí
At Our World Preschool, our daughters were not just students, they were seen as individuals with unique personalities and unique needs. The teachers formed genuine and loving connections with each of our children, making them feel secure and valued every day. The environment at Our World is filled with warmth, education, and an abundance of love. Thanks to this nurturing environment, our daughters gained the courage they needed to confidently take the next step to primary school
Emma & Conor
Our girls spent two wonderful years each at Our World Montessori before starting school. The teachers are so caring and create such a nurturing environment for the children to thrive in. The spacious grounds provide the perfect backdrop for the kids to explore and be creative. The diverse curriculum really ignited their imaginations through arts, crafts and hands-on activities. Our daughters blossomed during their time there and we'll always have such fond memories of Montessori. It's a truly magical place that allows children's innate creativity to flourish. We couldn't recommend it highly enough!
Olga & Andrew Kornienko
Our child James attended ‘Our World Montessori’ for two years,and thrived in its safe and nurturing environment. Marian has a great understanding of children and their needs,and has stamped her school with her personal warmth and her own unique flair for creativity and learning.There was always a happy energy radiating from the children. Our child left his two years of preschool learning a very happy,confident and self assured 5 year old . Thanks Marian and all at Our World Montessori for the wonderful work you do.
Michelle and Richard Flynn