Woodlands Training Centre for the Montessori Method of Education was inaugurated under the Directorship of Sharmini de Zylva, who holds a Montessori Diploma in Education from London and a Certificate of Excellence from Stott's College, NewZealand in Early Childhood Education and Care for the training of teachers in the Montessori Method of Education in 1971.

Since 1977 her daughter Needra de Silva worked jointly with her in conducting the Woodlands Teacher Training programs. Subsequently Needra was given overall charge of the Woodlands House of Children in Colombo.

Needra holds a Diploma in the Montessori Method of Education from London, Woodlands Training Centre for the Montessori Method of Education, and a Diploma in Pre-school Education, Sri Lanka.