Barbara Langford first came across Montessori education when searching for a pre-school for her young son. As a new parent she felt that the philosophy sat easily with her own thoughts about children and so with a view to further her understanding of child development, she undertook the Montessori Teaching Diploma. There was never a thought at that time that this would eventually lead to a completely new and exciting career path which was very different from her original training as a Dental Hygienist. Some years later, after searching unsuccessfully for a suitable pre-school environment for her second child, Barbara decided to start her own pre-school. She started Jescott Montessori Pre-school at Magill in October 1989.

Barbara Nache joined the Jescott teaching team in 1992 and soon became a very valued friend and colleague to Barbara Langford. Barbara Nache has a Diploma of Teaching (Sec. Art), and an Advanced Certificate in Montessori Education and she too was drawn to Montessori after her son experienced his early education at a Montessori School. The two women recognised in each other a common passion for teaching and they subsequently worked together to establish the Cedars Montessori Pre-school at Parkside in 1993. Cedars Montessori Pre-school relocated in January 2002 to the current location in the Early Learning Centre on the grounds of Walford School at Hyde Park.

In 1998 a further opportunity arose to establish a pre-school at Westminster School, Marion. Barbara Langford and Barbara Nache were joined by Adriana Francescangeli to begin The Sails Montessori Pre-school. Adriana has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Degree and a Montessori Teaching Diploma. She had previously spent seven years as the Director of Jescott Montessori Pre-school before heading the teaching team at The Sails Montessori Pre-school where she continued her teaching for a further 8 years. Adriana specialises in music and has travelled the world learning different music styles to incorporate into her teaching programs. Adriana currently leads the teaching team at Babthorpe Montessori Pre-school.

Responding to a need in the community, Barbara, Barbara and Adriana started two new centres in January 2006. Babthorpe Montessori Pre-school was established on the grounds of Loreto College at Marryatville and Horizons Montessori Pre-school was also established in the same year at Magill.

Chancery Lane Montessori Pre-school is the most recent JSC Montessori Pre-school located at St Aloysius College in Adelaide’s city centre. This centre offers full day Montessori programs combined with additional hours of childcare to cater for the needs of families requiring extended care programs throughout the year.

JSC Montessori Pre-schools Pty Ltd. was establishedin October 2001 by Barbara Langford, Barbara Nache and Adriana Francescangeli. This company provides a management structure to ensure quality and consistency in the provision of its educational programs and its staff training at all JSC centres. It also enables all current and any future pre-schools to have a common link to each other and thereby ensure effective communication and professional development.

Barbara Langford, Barbara Nache and Adriana Francescangeli share a passion for teaching young children. Their combined experience and individual talents have produced excellent pre-schools that in turn have provided a wonderful and nurturing environment to many hundreds of young children.

Barbara Langford was honoured with a 'National Excellence In Teaching Award' in April 2001. She was the only recipient from the South Australian Early Childhood sector and was one of only 32 teachers throughout Australia in all areas of education to be honoured with recognition through this award for her teaching and entrepreneurial talents. In the same year she was a finalist in the Telstra Women’s Business Awards.

Our Professional Profile

We believe that as adults and teachers we must continue the journey of learning through continued personal and professional development. JSC Montessori Pre-schools encourages all staff to participate in workshops, conferences and in-service training throughout the year. All staff members are required to complete an in-service training certificate upon employment. Permanent staff members are required to undertake further training in Montessori Education through a recognised and accredited Montessori training organisation. All staff members hold current first aid certificates and have undertaken compulsory Offender History checking with the SA Police Department.

JSC Montessori Pre-schools have membership with the Montessori World Education Institute of Australia, Childcare Association of Australia, and also the Montessori Australia Foundation. JSC Montessori Pre-schools has involvement on many forums lobbying both the state and federal governments on behalf of children and their families for fairness, equality and the right for quality education and care. Barbara Langford is particularly committed to raising both public and government awareness of the benefits of Montessori Education in South Australia. She is a Tutor, Course Coordinator and member of the Academic Board of the Montessori World Education Institute of Australia. She is the President of Childcare SA, and Vice President of the Childcare Association of Australia. She is also a representative on the Children’s Care and Education Forum. Barbara consults on the review panel for the Undergraduate programme in Early Childhood at the University of SA and she is also a member of the Heads of Schools Advisory Committee for the Montessori Australia Foundation. Barbara has presented workshops about Montessori education at state and national conferences.

Montessori education is a well-respected and world wide teaching philosophy. JSC Montessori Pre-schools are recognised as offering world-class Montessori programs combined with uncompromised quality in the care of young children.