Building a Mindful Culture at KatieB Kids
Mindfulness at KatieB Kids: Shaping Calm, Confident, and Curious Learners
At KatieB Kids, mindfulness isn’t just an occasional activity, it is a core principle that shapes everything we do, from the way our educators interact with children and each other, to how our leadership functions, to the learning experiences we create for the children every day. We believe that embedding mindfulness into nursery life fosters calm, confident, and curious learners while supporting our team to thrive in a demanding, dynamic environment.
Mindfulness at the Heart of Our Practice
Our mindful approach begins with our educators. Guided by Dr. Nick Buckley, an internationally respected mindfulness consultant, trainer, and author, our staff are trained in techniques to slow down, reflect, and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This is essential in a setting where each day brings new challenges: supporting babies, toddlers, and preschool children who are discovering boundaries, testing social rules, and exploring their independence.
Mindfulness for our staff enhances self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. It enables them to model positive behaviour, remain calm under pressure, and provide a consistent, nurturing environment for the children. Educators learn to create a “gap” between stimulus and response, whether that’s a tricky interaction with a child or a stressful situation among colleagues, allowing thoughtful, empathic responses that enhance relationships and learning outcomes.
Our staff also develop a mindful approach to language and framing. By teaching children, and modelling ourselves, how to label emotions appropriately and put situations in context, we reduce stress and help children navigate challenges confidently. This reflective culture ensures the nursery runs smoothly and promotes wellbeing for both children and adults.
DOTS Mindfulness Programme for Children
At the heart of our mindfulness provision for children is the DOTS programme, developed in association with the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP). This programme, designed for children aged 3–6, is carefully structured to introduce key mindfulness skills through playful, age-appropriate exercises. Each 15–20 minute session focuses on one concept, such as awareness, grounding, emotional literacy, social connection, or compassion.
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Nick Buckley, who has trained educators globally since 2017, our children explore mindfulness through breath, movement, stillness, and reflection. They learn to notice their feelings, develop self-regulation, and grow their focus and concentration, all while having fun. Following a successful pilot, DOTS is now fully embedded into our curriculum, and our Prescolare educators are embarking on their own journey of accreditation so they can teach it confidently alongside Nick.
Through DOTS, children develop emotional balance and resilience, helping them navigate challenges and adapt confidently to new situations, a key foundation for school readiness. They learn empathy and social awareness, forming positive relationships and understanding the perspectives of others, which supports collaboration and communication at school and beyond. By practising focus and concentration, children strengthen their ability to engage with learning, solve problems, and persist with tasks. Curiosity and a sense of wonder are nurtured, fostering a lifelong love of learning and exploration. Finally, building confidence and self-expression allows children to articulate their ideas, make choices, and approach experiences with independence, essential skills for success both academically and in life.
Mindfulness and Leadership: Nurturing a Collaborative, Reflective Team
Mindfulness also underpins how we develop our leaders. Our bespoke leadership programme, guided by Dr. Nick Buckley, equips educators with emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and the tools to lead with clarity, consistency, and empathy. By embedding distributed leadership, where influence and responsibility are shared across the team, KatieB Kids nurtures a culture in which every staff member can act with confidence, make thoughtful decisions, and positively shape children’s experiences.
The programme blends structured instruction with one-on-one coaching, reflective practice, and real-world scenario planning. Over a ten-week course, participants explore leadership principles, decision-making, communication styles, emotional regulation, and resilience. This ensures our leaders are mindful, people-focused, and empowered to guide both children and colleagues effectively.
Embedding Mindfulness in Daily Practice
Mindfulness at KatieB Kids is woven into every part of our day. It informs how we:
Plan child-led learning experiences inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori principles
Support emotional literacy, empathy, and social skills in group interactions
Use movement, breath, and calm routines to build focus and coordination
Foster exploration, creativity, and problem-solving in play and Forest School sessions
Model positive behaviour through imitation and reflective practice
Children learn mindfulness naturally through observing and imitating educators who practice it daily. This helps them navigate social situations, express emotions appropriately, and build independence.
The Bigger Picture: School Readiness and Life Skills
Mindfulness isn’t just about calm moments; it equips children with skills that underpin school readiness and lifelong success. By learning to regulate emotions, focus attention, and solve problems thoughtfully, children gain confidence, resilience, and curiosity. They develop social and communication skills, self-awareness, and a love for learning. Combined with our child-led curriculum, Forest School, and community engagement, mindfulness helps our children transition to school with confidence and lays a strong foundation for future academic and personal achievement.
KatieB Kids: Mindfulness as a Differentiator
Our comprehensive mindfulness approach, spanning staff wellbeing, DOTS for children, and leadership development, is rare in early years education. It sets us apart, creating a nursery where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, staff feel supported and resilient, and families can trust that their children are nurtured in a calm, thoughtful, and joyful environment.
At KatieB Kids, mindfulness is more than a practice; it is the lens through which we approach everything we do, shaping who we are, how we care, and the confident, curious, and capable children we help to grow.