Karen Chetwynd & Hayley Sully &
Andrea Garcia Herrera
Early opportunities and support for ‘parent as first educator’ as a foundation
This panel explores how early experiences and meaningful support for parentscan lay the foundations for secure attachment and lifelong learning. Drawing on Montessori principles, we will discuss the parent’s role as a child’s first educator and how early guidance empowers families to nurture confidence, curiosity, and emotional connection from the very beginning.
Bringing together leading voices in early childhood education and family support, this conversation will highlight innovative approaches that empower parents, strengthen family bonds, and create environments where children can thrive. Participants will explore practical strategies for nurturing secure attachment, fostering confidence, and supporting parent-led learning in the earliest stages of development.
AUDIO VERSION
Karen Chetwynd & Hayley Sully & Andrea Garcia Herrera
Karen Chetwynd, CEO, Montessori Global Education
Karen has worked extensively in the education sector supporting charitable NGO and commercial success for over 20 years. Consistently focused on achieving high-quality sustainable outcomes, Karen has worked with a variety of education providers across the UK and internationally - navigating the ever-changing teaching and learning landscape.
Karen is passionate about setting the tone of Montessori as an accessible, beneficial and attractive educational pedagogy for everyone, everywhere; able to present learning opportunities that are supportive and nurturing to all our young people.
As a powerful champion for showing how following Montessori principles can expand the thinking capacity of children, Karen advocates for increasing self- confidence, guiding and encouraging learners to enjoy rather than avoid challenges they may face in life.
Karen continues to be hands-on with educational programme delivery and assessment, believing that practical, contemporary experience in industry is essential in understanding learners' needs for today and the future. Karen is also an author of "Led by the Child".
Hayley Sully, Home-Start West Somerset Lead and Baby-Start Co-ordinator, Service Provider, Montessori Global Education
Hayley’s background is in Early Years, SEND and family support. She has been part of the early support service in West Somerset for the last 10 years. Hayley began working for Home Start in September 2021, starting out as a volunteer in 2012. Hayley promotes all activities with families, such as sensory play-encouraging secure parental child attachment supporting parents’ confidence as their child’s first educator.
Andrea Garcia Herrera, Communications and Brand Marketing Coordinator, Montessori Global Education
Andrea is a graduate in International Business, a certified Montessori guide for ages 3–6, and an experienced coach with a background in marketing and entrepreneurship across diverse industries and countries. Having attended Montessori school until the age of 12 and later guiding in Montessori environments in different parts of the world, Andrea developed a significant understanding of the method in practice. She now works with Montessori Global Education, contributing to communications and marketing.
Andrea’s work brings together her creative, educational, and entrepreneurial backgrounds to support meaningful communication in the field of Montessori education.
Deepen your Montessori practice for the first three years of life (Birth–3)
Montessori Global Education is a leading international organisation dedicated to advancing accessible, inclusive, and high-quality Montessori education worldwide. With over 70 years of experience and thousands of graduates globally, they support educators, families, and communities through training, partnerships, and advocacy grounded in Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles. Their work prioritises child-centred learning, equity, sustainability, and social responsibility, while their STAR Framework sets a global standard for recognising innovative Montessori practice.
To claim your exclusive conference rate, email connect@montessori.org.uk with the subject line "Infant & Toddler Specialism - Conference Offer"
Discussion
Your questions will be answered after the conference.
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Interesting, thank you .yes teachers need the time to be with the new parents and listen to their hope are dreams. But it would be hard to plan the child’s dreams ,and give them time understand the child. Follow the child with small steps is important.
Thank you so much for sharing this thoughtful reflection. Taking time to listen to parents’ hopes and dreams, while also observing the child carefully and moving in small, responsive steps, is at the heart of a child-centred approach. Supporting families to truly follow the child requires presence, patience, and meaningful relationships, and conversations like this help keep that focus alive.
You may find this content of interest: https://montessori-globaleducation.org/network/
Kind regards
I have a saying -Infant are the most difficult parents because 90 percent of the time they are new parents.
This is such a powerful way of putting it – and it really captures the vulnerability of the early years. New parents are learning alongside their children, which is why guidance grounded in empathy, observation, and respect is so important. A child-centred lens reminds us that supporting parents is inseparable from supporting children, and that learning is a shared journey for the whole family.
Thank you for adding this perspective to the conversation.
You may find this content of interest: https://montessori-globaleducation.org/network/
Kind regards
Thank you all for the conversation as parents as first educators. Lot of thoughts about first time parents, digital information and social opinion all influence families to reassure families to experience whole family values and holistic views.
Thank you for this insightful contribution. Creating space for reflection, reassurance, and holistic family values is central to a child-centred and Montessori-inspired approach.
These shared conversations help families reconnect with trust in themselves, their children, and the learning that unfolds naturally within everyday life.
We are grateful you joined us in reflecting on this together.
You may find this content of interest: https://montessori-globaleducation.org/network/
Kind regards