Passion For Excellence

Inspiring excellence in children.

Da Vinci Montessori always strives to inspire excellence in children by providing nurturing environment, qualified teachers and an inspiring curriculum.

15 Years of

Our name is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci; one of the most talented and multifaceted individuals in the history of mankind.

Known popularly for his ‘Mona Lisa’, it was Leonardo Da Vinci who designed the first flying machine on the principles of which modern day airplanes are based. Additionally, Da Vinci was a mathematician, engineer, scientist anatomist, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer.

We believe that every child is born with many different talents that often remain unexplored. At Da Vinci Montessori we want our children to get in touch with each of their senses, talents and emotions and thus discover themselves just as they discover the world around them.

2021

Started Elementary Program

Launched a complete Montessori Elementary Program for 6-12 years old’s – the first of its kind in South Mumbai.

2018

Third Branch Established

Da Vinci Montessori, opens doors to its third premises in Worli.

2015

Enrollment crosses 100 students

In June, Da Vinci has now over a 100 children enrolled in its programs.

2014

Second Branch Established

Adding another spacious location with sunlit classrooms, Da Vinci at Marine Drive opens for admissions.

2010

Inception of Da Vinci Montessori

With a purpose to deliver quality Montessori learning, Da Vinci is founded at Babulnath, Mumbai

The Da Vinci Vision

Our vision is to cultivate a joyous and supportive learning community where each child is empowered to reach their full potential. Grounded in the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori, we seek provide an environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

The Da Vinci Mission

Our mission is to empower children to grow into adults that are independent, self-motivated individuals, who are creative thinkers, life-long learners, empathetic towards other all and are able to meet their full potential as human beings. Parents are our partners in creating a world where children feel loved, respected, and understood.

“Our education should allow our children’s minds to open up to possibilities. We are not breeding race horses but are nurturing powerful minds. We are creating a generation of thinkers who are empathetic, creative and capable.”

Nurturing The

Da Vinci Montessori has been setup with the mission to provide for children’s innate love of learning. We nurture a wide range of interests to feed their natural curiosity.

Our program inspires a passion for excellence in children, nurtures their curiosity, creativity and imagination; teaches timeless values and seeks to awaken each child’s full potential as a human being.

Our goal is to sow the seeds of knowledge and culture that will blossom in our atmosphere of kindness, respect and intellectual inquiry

Years of Experience

Certified Directress

Ashani Hirway

Ashani has over 15 years of experience in the field of education. She has been trained to teach at and start Montessori’s worldwide by Association Montessori Internationale, headquartered in the Netherlands. She has received her 0-3 and 3-6 diplomas from AMI.

Ashani holds an MBA from Wharton School (USA) and has worked as a strategy consultant for global clients in New York and Mumbai. Prior to this Ashani worked as a hardware engineer in the Silicon Valley post her BE from Gujarat University and MS from Purdue University (USA).

While Ashani has always had a passion for education, the birth of her daughter Sanaya, inspired her to follow her heart and give in to her passion; the result of which is Da Vinci. Ashani feels grateful that both her daughters could spend their formative years at Da Vinci Montessori.

Meet the Team

Administrative Team

Ashlesha Shah

Ashlesha has a post graduate degree in Management Studies and has worked with corporates for almost 6 years. The arrival of her son and her journey as a Montessori mother at Da Vinci Montessori, inspired her to train and work with children. Ashlesha would like to use her AMI training to help inculcate positive values among children and bring more joy to Montessori classrooms. Ashlesha is certified to work with children with learning disabilities and has volunteered with an NGO.

Admissions Coordinator and Head of Operations

Umme Aimann

Umme Aimann is a post graduate from Mumbai University. Post a decade and a half of working with MNC Banks, she decided to venture into an area that has always been her calling – working with and contributing to the holistic development of children.

Umme enjoys being around kids and financial management comes naturally to her

Head of Finance & Centre Coordinator - Babulnath

Neha Sanghvi

Neha is as a trained Montessori directress from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Having pursued Montessori teaching for over 10 years, she believes that the quality of education a person receives in early life is indispensable in bringing out that person’s potential. It is every child’s right to have access to quality education and care.

Centre Coordinator - Marine Drive & Elementary

Priyal Bid

Priyal has a degree in economics and was drawn towards working with children early on. She decided to get a Diploma in Montessori education from the Ratan Tata Institute. She wants to instill a love of learning in toddlers through an enriching and nurturing educational experience.

Librarian

Teaching Staff

Elementary

Saranya Nair

Saranya is a dedicated educator with extensive experience working with children aged 3–12 years. Certified by IMTC Bangalore, she has spent years nurturing young minds in Montessori environments. An art and craft enthusiast and passionate culinarian, Saranya brings creativity and joy into her teaching. She is committed to helping students achieve their academic goals, fostering a love of learning, and promoting teamwork. With a deep connection to nature and culture, she enriches her students’ learning experiences by incorporating these elements into her teaching.

Directress

Suchi Shah

Suchi Shah is a passionate Montessori-trained directress from Ratan Tata Institute with over 15 years of experience. Her approach is rooted in Montessori Philosophy, emphasizing individualized learning, hands-on activities, and critical thinking skills. As an elementary directress, she guides each child on their unique educational journey, nurturing curiosity, fostering independence, and developing lifelong learning skills. She aims to provide a supportive, inclusive atmosphere where children feel valued, respected, and motivated to reach their full potential. She is excited to continue this journey with the school community and contribute to the children’s success and happiness.

Directress

Babulnath

Primary Program

Neha Gupta

Neha holds a degree in law and a masters in finance. She has worked as a corporate restructuring lawyer. While raising her son, she experienced Montessori for the first time. She was inspired by Montessori pedagogy and recently acquired an AMI Primary Diploma from Sir Ratan Tata Institute.<br>

Directress - Primary, Babulnath

Krupa Sampat

After earning her B.Com from Mumbai University, Krupa trained in Early Childhood Care and Education. She then undertook the AMI Montessori training course at Sir Ratan Tata Institute. With over 12 years of experience at preschools in Mumbai, she finds working with children exciting. Inspired by the Montessori approach, she values personalized learning and balances structured and play-based education. Krupa believes teaching is a lifelong learning process.

Directress - Primary & Toddlers, Babulnath

Megha Gandhi

Megha Gandhi trained at Sir Ratan Tata Institute and completed her Post Graduation in Commerce from Mumbai University. With over a decade of experience working with young children, she is passionate about her work. Megha enjoys the continuous process of learning and growing.

Directress - Primary, Babulnath

Harsha

Harsha started working with children at an early age while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. With 16 years of experience and insights from her motherhood journey, she developed a fascination for child development. This led her to pursue an AMI certified diploma in Early Education. Harsha feels fortunate to have found a career she is passionate about. She is grateful to Da Vinci Montessori for the opportunity to nurture children and help them reach their fullest potential.

Directress - Primary, Babulnath

Jyoti Deval

Jyoti was introduced to the Montessori method of learning through her son’d educational journey. While pursuing a diploma in Montessori (3-6, primary program), she realised that a child gives birth to a directress and this is how she would like to summarise her experience thus far. She hopes to do justice and bring about change through education, while also discovering herself in the process.

Directress - Primary, Babulnath

Toddler Program

Yogini Sonawala

Yogini Sonawala holds a Diploma in Early Child Care from Association Montessori Internationale. She has interned with Activity High School and Little Butterflies.

Directress - Toddlers, Babulnath

Krupa Sampat

Directress - Primary & Toddlers, Babulnath

Tejal Kulkarni

Tejal started her career as a cabin crew with Qatar Airway but she always felt a keen desire to work with children. She completed her Montessori course at the prestigious Ratan Tata Institute (Mumbai) and has 5 years of teaching experience. As an educator, she aims to prepare children not only for higher education but also for the world we live in today.

Directress - Toddlers, Babulnath

Navya Jain

Navya graduated from Jai Hind College with a B.A. in English Literature, holds a fashion design diploma from NIFT, and is a trained primary Montessori teacher from Sir Ratan Tata Institute. An international rower, national basketball player, and trained classical singer, she discovered her passion for working with children when she began implementing Montessori philosophy with her son and witnessed its positive impact on the family.

Directress - Toddlers, Babulnath

Day Care/After School Club

Anushka Dhotre

Anushka Dhotre, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and an AMI Montessori diploma. She has served as a moderator and admin member at the Ratan Tata Institute and has two years of experience with the Cambridge board using the Montessori method. Anushka has lovingly managed a class of 49 children aged 2.5 to 6 years, believing that “one test of the correctness of an educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” She excels in fostering a joyful, exploratory learning environment for young children.

Directress - Day Care/After School Club, Babulnath

Priyal Bid

Directress - Day Care/After School Club, Babulnath

Marine Drive

Toddler Program

Praghya Chaplot

Praghya is a trained Montessori Directress certified by AMI. She also holds a Bachelors in Management Studies. Praghya believes that the Montessori System imparts education that is long lasting and helps form a child’s personality. She is excited about her journey at Da Vinci and is looking forward to working with the toddler children.

Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive

Dhwani Chheda

Dhwani is a certified Montessori teacher with 0-3 Montessori Diploma from the AMI Ratan Tata Institute. She is dedicated to educating children while fostering independence and self-discipline. Dhwani believes that each child is unique and its important to recognize and nurture their potential.

Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive

Radhika Vahi

Radhika is an Arts Graduate from Mumbai University and has worked in a Montessori School from the year 2000. . She has more than 2 decades of experience working with children.

She has an innate love for working with children and is happiest when amongst them.

Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive

Bijal Doshi

Bijal is a commerce post-graduate from Mumbai University and after her post graduation she trained herself as an AMI Directress from Sir Ratan Tata Institute. She has several years of experience working with the children in the Toddler Montessori environment. She is passionate about being with and around children. She has an innate love for working with children and is happiest when amongst them.

Directress - Toddlers, Marine Drive

Primary Program

Pooja Patel

Pooja always wanted to be a teacher. So after her graduation in Arts (Psychology & English), she trained herself with A.M.I. (RTI) and started working with Activity Infant School. She has over 14 years of experience working with children. She believes in giving the child the freedom to explore and be independent.