Sarah has always had a passion for working with children. Alongside school, further and higher education, she worked in after school and holiday clubs, taught swimming, nannied and regularly volunteered in the playroom and school at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. After graduating from the University of Bristol, Sarah completed her PGCE at Bath Spa University where she chose to specialise in Primary and Early Years education. Sarah has many years of experience teaching and leading in primary schools. Only a year into her first teaching post Sarah became the school's Inclusion Coordinator and studied at the University of Reading to obtain her Masters' level specialist SENDCo award. Sarah also took on the leadership roles of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and later Acting Assistant Head. In order to broaden her experience of teaching children with additional needs, Sarah worked at a school for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties, before leaving primary education to work with younger children. She has always felt that these early, foundation years are the most crucial part of child development and education. After always having fond memories of a Montessori nursery that she visited as a Reception Class teacher, Sarah researched the Montessori approach and decided to retrain as a Montessori teacher. Sarah worked at The Clifton Children's House Montessori School from 2017 until its closure in 2024. Sarah and Erin were the Managers of The Clifton Children's House and upon its closure, founded Hotwells Children's House in 2024. In their 2022 Ofsted inspection their leadership was described as 'exemplary' and the setting received an 'Outstanding' judgement. As well as being one of the proud founders of Hotwells Children's House, Sarah is a proud mother to three young children. She will always work tirelessly for all children and families she works with, giving them the best care and support she can.

Erin has a longstanding relationship with Montessori education, having attended The Clifton Children's House Montessori from the age of 2 until she started at primary school. Her mum went on to work there for many years, so Erin remained in contact with the setting, often going to help out or to lead activities with the children. Seeing how Roz, Sue and the team interacted with children set a standard of respectful, trusting and warm communication that has remained at the heart of her practice with children. After graduating from University of the Arts London, Erin remained in the city and studied for her Montessori Diploma whilst working as a teaching assistant. Upon moving back to Bristol she was lucky enough to be offered a job by Mary Lazo (who took over The Clifton Children's House in 2012) and worked there for over ten years, starting as a teacher, and from 2017 as Manager until the closure of the setting in 2024. During her time at the setting Erin completed her Early Years Teacher Status, and a Masters in Early Childhood Studies and she was awarded Montessori Practitioner of the Year in 2018. Looking back at her time at The Clifton Children's House, Erin feels most proud of her work supporting families, her focus on putting well being at the core of provision, and her inclusion and support for children with additional learning needs. Erin also works for Bristol Early Years Teaching School as a Local Leader, specialising in personal, social and emotional development and well being, and was an Expert on the Department for Education's Covid Recovery Project. Her work supporting other settings is important to her, and she feels lucky to be part of the inspirational Bristol Early Years landscape. Erin is a proud mum of twins who were born very premature, due to this personal experience she is involved in supporting settings to understand the needs of premature children and their families as they start their nursery journey. Erin also co-facilitates the Bristol Early Years Forum for Anti-Racist Practice in collaboration with colleagues at Easton Community Children's Centre and Bath Spa University.