Two local mums have turned their shared passion for early years care into a new community-focused childcare setting in Marksbury.
Emily and Rio have recently opened Little Lavenders, a small, nurturing childminding provision based in the ‘Valley View’ room at Marksbury Village Hall.
A home-from-home idea rooted in experience
The idea for Little Lavenders grew from years of working with children, combined with the perspective of being mums themselves.
Emily said, “The idea grew from our shared passion for creating a warm, homely environment where children can explore, feel safe, and develop at their own pace. We wanted to build something small, personal and community-focused.”
Rio added, “Little Lavenders is based in the Valley View room of Marksbury Village Hall, which is a small, thoughtfully designed space that feels perfect for early years learning.”
Open now for babies and pre-schoolers
Little Lavenders officially opened its doors in November and welcomes children aged from three months to five years.
The setting may also offer wraparound care for older children as it continues to develop, supporting local families as their childcare needs grow.
What makes Little Lavenders different
Emily and Rio say the setting’s small size allows them to give each child individual attention in a calm, cosy environment.
One of its standout features is direct access to Marksbury Village Park, giving children daily opportunities for outdoor learning and play in a safe, green space.
Rio said, “We’re uniquely fortunate to open straight onto the village park, and we also regularly visit the local donkeys, which is always a magical experience for the children.”
The setting focuses on child-led play, outdoor learning, creative and sensory activities, strong parent partnerships and helping children build confidence and independence.
A strong childcare background
Between them, Emily and Rio bring a wide range of experience to the setting.
Rio has worked extensively as a nanny, supporting children in home-based environments, while Emily is a qualified teacher with significant experience supporting children with Special Educational Needs.
Emily said, “Alongside our professional backgrounds, we’re both mums, which brings another layer of empathy and real-life understanding to the way we care for children.”
Both Emily and Rio were graded Outstanding by Ofsted in July.
Helping children feel confident and school ready
Their aim is for every child to leave Little Lavenders feeling secure, curious and ready for the next step.
Rio said, “We want children to leave feeling confident, creative and emotionally ready for school, with happy memories and a real sense of belonging.”
Children benefit from daily outdoor play, creative and imaginative activities, early literacy and numeracy foundations, and gentle preparation for school life.
Outdoor play at the heart of every day
Outside play is a key part of the Little Lavenders experience, with daily access to the village park.
Activities include nature walks, gardening, messy play, wildlife spotting, seasonal crafts and active outdoor games.
Open day for parents and carers
Parents and carers are invited to visit Little Lavenders at an open day on Friday 20 March.
Prospective families can book a slot to meet Emily and Rio, explore the Valley View room and find out more about the setting.
For more information, contact Emily on 07718 168015 and Rio on 07581 155566.
You can also follow Little Lavenders on Instagram here.
