I am delivering a workshop where you will be exploring how books can be used as a guide to your space becoming the scene, resources becoming part of the story and you and the children becoming the characters. By the end of the workshop, you will bring storied to life, making them far more engaging and fun for both you and the children. Poster with 12 experts who will be delivering workshops or seminars at the Early Years Connect Online Expo brought to you by The Childcare Gui

Does your child happily eat pasta every night but act as though a strawberry is the strangest thing they've ever seen? If you've ever made a meal only to hear, "I'm not eating that!" you're definitely not alone. The good news is that learning to enjoy new foods isn't something children are simply born knowing how to do. It's a skill—and like any skill, it takes time, practice, and lots of positive experiences. It's Not Just About Taste When children refuse food, it's easy to

Child using fine motor skills in a real-life situation When we think about helping our children develop fine motor skills, it's easy to picture worksheets, tracing lines or threading beads. While these activities certainly have their place, they can never replace the value of learning through real life. The truth is, children develop the strongest fine motor skills when they have a reason to use them. Preparing food, mixing ingredients, peeling vegetables, buttering toast or

A boy and dog enjoying pasta! You had good intentions. You planned the meal, everyone sat down, and then... it started. "I don't like this!" "Can I have something else?" "I'm not hungry." Someone spills a drink, another leaves the table, and before you know it, you've spent more time negotiating than eating. And you wish you had just given them pasta as you know they'll eat that! If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. Mealtimes should be a chance to connect as

Thank goodness for the paddling pool in this weather! When all the siblings are in the pool (it's very important that an adult is watching as even adults can drown in something as shallow as a bath) they can usually entertain themselves for long enough before I have to break up a sibling disagreement, but when there is only one or even just two in the pool, entertainment comes down to me. Here are 8 games I play, some with me in the pool, and some I can do from the side lines

Child playing in the paddling pool On Wednesday, I ran 1km in the paddling pool (it was a big pool) in 9 minutes to make a lazy river or as the children like to call it, a whirlpool. The clutter that goes with outdoor play grows and grows. After being in the pool, we need to put a cover on the pool as well as putting the chlorine floater back in to keep it clean for the next day. The garden should be a place where children can play, families can relax, and everyone can enjoy

You are about to be inundated with folders, artworks, pieces of paper with random lines on it (labelled penguin) and I get it, it's your babies precious artwork. But after having three children, and keeping everything, that stuff adds up, and before you know it, you have a cupboard lot of paper, and let's be honest, you don't really know whose is whose. The paper has tainted and some of the pasta has fallen off as the glue has dried up. Delicious, for a sneaky mouse looking

Interview with OK! magazine on my life as a billionaire nanny Being a 24/7 nanny as well as a travel nanny on cruise ships, private islands and homes across the world, I have supported families to keep their children safe and sleeping in hot weather. When temperatures soar, bedtime can become a challenge for both children and parents. Hot, stuffy bedrooms can make it difficult for little ones to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to restless nights for the whole family. For

Getting children to wear sun cream can sometimes feel like a challenge and I should know, being a professional nanny for over a decade and working in schools and nurseries before that, but making it part of their daily routine can help. Apply sun cream before leaving the house, just like brushing teeth or putting on shoes. I tag it on to their routine and we also check the weather daily. One week, we did a competition between Alexa and Siri to see who was more accurate. We al

If you had asked me several years ago whether organising could reduce sibling arguments and tantrums, I might have laughed. Although as a fomer teacher, in schools we did know that clutter and busy displays impacted the children. After all, children argue because they're tired, frustrated, hungry, bored, or simply because they're siblings. Surely a tidy home can't change that? But what I've discovered through working with families as a private nanny (affectionately known as

Children walking to school with their nanny The stress of the uniforms, breakfast, reading, homework, correct sports kit and umbrella/helmet fiasco are left at the door and the walk/scoot/drive to school is about to commence. As a nanny for multiple families of many siblings within one, getting them to (and from) school so they arrive (or get home) feeling seen, heard and understood, sets them off well for the rest of the day or evening. If you set off late and are constantl

I know, I know, it feels a long way from the summer holidays but these next few weeks are mayhem! Here are a few things to avoid and tips to stay sane, keep organised and enjoy your time before the children are at home for full weeks. Not keeping up the weekly routines I get it, it is sunny outside (currently) and its easy to say, I'll do that tomorrow or I'll wing it, but the laundry keeps on piling and the uniforms still need putting out. As much as you can, keep the routin

AND HOW TO MAKE THE DAY A SUCCESS! There is a lot that goes into prepping for an exhibition and I should know! Not only have I been the kids' zone host for the Clean and Tidy Home Show, London Pet Show Live and Home, Life and You but for many years, I have been selling my books and services at the Childcare and Education Expo and Nursery World Show as well as little shows in churches and schools. I have got better as the years have gone by. Most mistakes made are in the run

Most people think clutter is just about mess. But after years of helping people organise their homes, offices, and businesses, I can tell you this: Clutter is expensive. Not just emotionally or mentally — financially too. Again and again, I see people wasting money simply because they can’t see, find, or use what they already have. And often, the cost is far bigger than they realise. The Nursery That Kept Buying More Paint One nursery I worked with had redesigned their shelv

Here are 5 ways to make your week easier. Uniforms Packed Lunches Snacks Sports clubs Homework plan And read to the end for my extra tips. As a working Nanny, I live this week in and week out. Uniform To make the mornings easier, by the time I have left on for the weekend, I have already put out the uniforms in order complete with underwear and socks. While I do do an evening check, the amount of effort I have to do is a lot less. The children know to put on the correct unif

Kathryn with the IDEAL sign at the Ideal Home Show I was invited to the Ideal Home Show on complimentary tickets, not once but twice this year. And I really love the show. But it did get me thinking, what is an ideal FAMILY home. Everyone at the Ideal Home Show is looking for things to create their perfect home. But the truth is- an ideal family home isn't about what's in it. It is not about the furniture. It is not about the colour of the decking. An ideal family home is h

Mornings are rushed, mealtimes turn into battles, and the tantrums + sibling arguments feel never-ending? I’ve got you. Join my FREE live workshop on April 16th at 8pm where I’ll be sharing: ✔️ 3 simple routines to create a calmer, happier home ✔️ How to make mealtimes feel easier (and less stressful!) ✔️ Smoother school & nursery runs without the chaos ✔️ Practical ways to reduce tantrums and sibling conflict These are real-life strategies you can start using immediately

Lauren came to read her book, Mummy and the Hidden Rainbow, on the Kids' Zone at the Home, Life and You show last month. Lauren McRae and I on the kids' zone at the Home, Life and You show Lauren McRae, author of Mummy and the Hidden Rainbow and founder of Little Light Tales, writes heartfelt stories inspired by her own experiences as a mum and wellbeing coach. Her work shines a gentle light on mental health, emotions, and family connection — helping parents and children talk

Kate and I with a similar expression, while introducing her to read on the kids' zone At the kids' zone at the Home, Life and You show, I introduced Kate Hall for a lovely book reading for our children. With a huge link with my MORE TO Mealtimes book which supports families to learn almost everything through food, it made so much sense to collaborate on a blog together. Kate Hall is a regular on television sharing her message, and her book for adults is an Amazon no1 bestsel

When THE DOGFATHER asks you to pretend to be a dog, what would your answer be? It was so lovely to have Greame Hall, Channel 5's dog trainer and behaviourist on Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly come and play on the kids' zone at London Pet Show Live 2025. They say that you should never work with animals or children and at London Pet Show Live, between the two of us, we worked with both! We had a lovely chat about the similarities of dogs and toddlers- how they both love sticks, mu