Rebecca Busfield, who works as a teacher aide for a non-verbal autistic child, said police knocked on her door at 4am on Saturday to tell her what happened.
"I was absolutely distraught.
"Whoever did this also completely spray-painted the van and it looked like two of the doors had been smashed in.
"I look after a young lad and now I have no means of getting to the school on my own."
She was particularly upset as she had employed local artists for the van’s artwork.
"It had been something of a labour of love for them. I had big plans for the van.
"I just want to know who had done this."
A police spokesman said they were appealing for information about a suspicious vehicle fire in Easther Cres, Kew, about 3.10am on Saturday.
"A scene examination has been conducted and inquiries remain ongoing.
"Police believe the fire could be linked to nearby graffiti which was sprayed on a nearby Easther Cres retaining wall and [on] a container on Middleton Rd."
Ms Busfield said the van was not just a vehicle for her — she had also been making plans to use it as a travelling art space.
"I was in the process of setting up a business based around holistic integrated creative art therapy.
"The van was essential for that. I wanted to set it up as a portable art therapy place and eventually take it to the wider community.
"It was going to be my way of being able to pick people up and get them out in the community. It was going to be essential to my livelihood."
She was also surprised and saddened to discover her Polaroid photos, art props and expensive LED hula hoops were also damaged or stolen.
"I don’t think they understood what those things meant to me. It just doesn't make any sense."
Ideally, she would like those responsible to come forward.
"It wasn't just a van for me, it was my second home."
A Givealittle page has been set up to help her recover some of the costs.
