Words: Nyah Whittingham
When Birdie and I had the opportunity to try a new playgroup here in Jersey, I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical. With Birdie being a little older now, I’ve been quite happy to leave my chaotic playgroup days behind – there’s only so many loud, flashing plastic toys in a church hall that one can take. However, when I dove a little deeper into the ‘why’ behind Botanic Kids, I was pleasantly surprised to hear of a more mindful approach to play – one that is scientifically proven to aid little one’s development whilst caring for the environment, honouring the seasons and nurturing an appreciation of nature from a very young age.
With 20 years of primary school teaching under her belt, as well as being mum to three children of her own, Pippa White is now the proud owner of Botanic Kids. Pippa believes that children learn best when they explore their interests at their own pace. Botanic Kids is a safe environment where children can let their creativity run wild with only the best resources – whether it’s homemade play dough or beautifully crafted wooden toys from brands like Grimms, Grapat, Bumbu and more. Everything at Botanic Kids is rooted in a deep understanding of child development.
I was amazed at how well Botanic Kid’s values align with my own. There are so many ways Pippa ensures sustainability, love for our planet and awareness of the life-cycle of toys. Modern day parents are in a position to create more mindful play opportunities that encourage respect for our planet and sustainability. It is no secret that our society has been recklessly over-consuming for far too long, so to see how Pippa runs her workshops was very refreshing.
When we arrived, we were greeted with a calm, prepared area with wooden toys, climbing frames, silks, balls, books and so much more. Birdie made a beeline for the oats tray – the messiest of course. We also found some ice blocks and tools with an invitation to excavate the trapped lavender, some play dough, dried flowers and a huge variety of wooden tools and toys. I think I was slightly more in love with the multicoloured stacking pebbles than Birdie was – they were so tactile and beautifully made!
Everyone got stuck in straight away – with such simple, open-ended toys, their imaginations were in the driver’s seat. There was not a single flashy toy in sight. It was amazing to notice that everyone was kept entertained and inspired throughout the entire session. One little boy couldn’t resist ‘swimming’ in the oats – a marvel for the sensory organs and a bonus that the mess wasn’t in his mum’s kitchen!
I couldn’t finish this review without reiterating Pippa’s commitment to sustainability. Her creativity and conscious approach to reducing waste was genuinely inspiring. The oats used in the sensory tray are later repurposed as animal feed. The lavender in the ice and the petals at the playdough station were fresh flowers from the previous week’s sessions. Every toy and material was carefully chosen to avoid unnecessary plastic, support developmental milestones, and extend the lifespan of play resources.
When all the ice had melted, toys were in disarray, and it was time to put our shoes on after a fascination-fuelled session, I asked Birdie, “What was your favourite part?” She replied, “OATS. No no no… ICE. Actually… all of it. I don’t want to go.”
It’s safe to say we will be back!
Botanic Kids is currently based at Château Vermont, just outside of town. From September, however, sessions will take place at Les Creux Country Park. Bookings are made on a termly basis, with different time slots available to suit your family’s needs. Visit www.botanickids.co.uk to book, and follow along on Instagram @botanickids.je to stay updated.
