Anne Alvarez was born in Baghdad (Iraq) and educated in the American School for Girls (Baghdad). For more than 17 years, she was a teacher, deputy and acting headmistress of the British Council Kindergarden (Baghdad). During her teaching career, she spent some time in London as the guest of the British Council, observing teaching methods for children between three and seven years of age, particularly in Froebel Schools. Anne was attached to Ibstock Place School of the Froebel Educational Institute, Roehampton, where she attended a short course: Creative Work in the Primary School, and short courses organised by the Educational Puppetry Association. She also paid brief visits to infant and nursery schools in London and Scotland.