Allée de la Petite Prairie 12, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland

contact@secretofchildhood.ch | +41 22 361 20 00 | Monday-Friday : 8h – 18h30

Contact & visits

Contact & visits

Choosing a school for your child is an important decision — and nothing beats a visit to get a feel for the atmosphere of a place, both for parents and children.

During your visit, you will discover our carefully prepared Montessori spaces, meet our passionate team, and see how each child develops with confidence, independence and joy.

Enrolment is now open for the 2025-2026 school year...

To arrange a school visit

contact@secretofchildhood.ch
+41 22 361 20 00

For enrolment and administrative questions

contact@secretofchildhood.ch
+41 22 361 20 00

For questions about Montessori education and school life

directrice@secretofchildhood.ch
+41 22 361 20 00

Registration procedure

1

Get in touch with us by phone or email

2

We will send you our Family Guide with practical information about the school and suggest a date for your visit to the school

3

After the visit, if you decide to enrol your child in our school, you must complete and return the enrolment form found in the Family Guide

4

Upon receipt of the registration form, you will be sent an invoice for CHF 1’000. This amount will be deducted from the autumn invoice, which is payable by July 31st. Payment of the registration fee guarantees your child’s place

Access

The Secret of Childhood
Allée de la Petite Prairie 12 – 14
1260 Nyon

Take the Nyon motorway exit and drive down Route Blanche towards the centre of Nyon. At the first roundabout, take the third exit and enter the car park in front of numbers 8-10, Allée de la Petite Prairie. The school is located on the upper ground floor of the building just behind.

Access map

Where to find us

Geir Braathen

Director & Head of School Administration

Geir Braathen, Dr. Scient. in physical chemistry, received his education in Norway, France, and the United States. Before opening our school in 2017, he worked at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva for 14 years as a researcher in atmospheric chemistry. He has been the director of the school since 2017.

Guadalupe Torrevillas

Teaching director & English teacher

Guadalupe Torrevillas, B.Sc. in Biology, obtained her AMI diploma for ages 3–6 in 2011 in Geneva. She is authorized by the education departments of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud to teach at levels 1P and 2P, and she is licensed to serve as director by the Cantonal Service for Child Daycare (SCAJE). She has been the director of the school since 2017. Before becoming a Montessori teacher, she taught English for several years in different countries.

Hamid Benahmadi

Fench-speaking for 3-6 & physical education teacher

Coming from a sports background, I discovered the Montessori method in 2016 while looking for a school that respects children’s development for my eldest child. It was a true revelation—an obvious choice—that led me to enrich my journey with university studies in education sciences, Montessori 3–6 educator training, and Montessori Sports training.

For the past three wonderful years, I have been applying the principles of this pedagogy both in the classroom and on the sports field, convinced of its impact on children’s overall development. As the father of two boys who attended Montessori schools, I have seen firsthand how this method fosters their independence, curiosity, and self-confidence. This conviction guides my work every day, inspired by this quote from Maria Montessori: “Free the child’s potential, and you will transform the world with him.”

Somayya Saif

English-speaking teacher for 3-6

Born in Pakistan, mother of three. I have a Master’s degree in Arts. After graduating from Institute Formation Maria Montessori (IFMM), Geneva in 2023 as an AMI English guide 3-6, I have been practicing this pedagogy since then. I believe, this pedagogy is a commitment to develop a child’s critical thinking as it allows the child to explore the world through various materials that its environment is equipped with! Unlike traditional schools, I enjoy guiding children to take ownership of their learning and decisions. I find fulfillment watching children grow emotionally, socially and intellectually! I am passionate about guiding children to build a solid foundation for their future through respect! I am looking forward to accompany your children in a fun and memorable way!

Amélie Nicod

French-speaking teacher for 6-9

After studying management and graphic design, I began my career in education in 2006, first in the French public school system and then in an international school in the United States.

When my two children were born and later enrolled in a public Montessori school, I developed a strong interest and passion for this child-centered pedagogy, which promotes learning through exploration and the development of self-confidence.

I went on to earn my AMI 6–12 educator diploma after training at the SouthWest Institute of Montessori Studies in Arizona, and then taught in an English-speaking Montessori 6–12 classroom in Boston.

When my family returned to Europe in 2023, I had the opportunity and pleasure to join the team at The Secret of Childhood and to support the opening of the 6–9 classroom. This allows both current students and new families to continue their learning journey in line with the principles of the Montessori method, during this critical and formative stage of a child’s development.

Elodie Guitteny

French-speaking teacher for 3-6

I have a degree in psychology and I first worked in the French education system for five years as a teaching assistant. During this experience, I had the opportunity to work with children aged 3 to 12 (in classrooms or workshops) and in a special needs class for children with physical and/or psychological disabilities.

Then, following an observation in a Montessori classroom, I decided to do the training in the Montessori pedagogy for 3-6 years old children.

I was truly thrilled to observe this community of children working with great determination to develop their abilities!

Since then, I am always moved when I see in a child’s eyes the joy of having successfully accomplished a task on their own, or when I observe them kindly helping each other. I received my AMI Montessori teacher’s diploma in 2011.

From 2011 to 2019, I worked in two schools in Geneva and I am happy to be working in The Secret of Childhood Montessori School in Nyon school since 2019!