Story behind The Nurture Place
- a passion-project by Kelly and Cathie
Meet our Co-founders
Kelly McGowan & Cathie Slade
With extensive backgrounds in education and child-development, they met whilst working in a top British international school in Dubai and soon discovered that they shared a passion for helping children and seeing them thrive. Working in their separate roles as a primary school teacher and a primary school counsellor, they worked harmoniously to nurture each individual child in their care.
The Nurture Place is a passion-project for Kelly and Cathie. Their combined experience and innovative approach have enabled them to build a unique company, motivated by the knowledge that their services will provide all families with the utmost support to enable their child to flourish and thrive.
Kelly McGowan
Co-founder of The Nurture Place, Dubai.
A primary school teacher of fifteen years and a busy, working-mum of two, young wonderful boys, Kelly fully understands the fundamental role that play has in a child's development. Through years of first-hand experience in a home-setting and a classroom environment, Kelly has seen the continual impact of play on increasing self-esteem, resilience, creativity, happiness, problem-solving, independence and communication and understands that each aspect is key in a child's development, regardless of age.
With a passion for helping others and a strong desire to bring joy to children's lives, Kelly is motivated to help adults learn the most effective ways to interact and connect with their child through play, ensuring that the most recent psychological and scientific research underpin her practise.
Kelly is from the UK and completed her BA (Hons) Sport degree at Durham University, closely followed by her PGCE, where she obtained the highest grading throughout. She has lived in Dubai for twelve years and within that time, she has held management positions within BSO and OFSTED-rated outstanding primary schools and started a family. Returning to work when her youngest child was five months old, Kelly fully appreciates and empathises with the various difficulties that families may face and is passionate about enabling adults to provide a fun, stimulating and engaging environment in their home-setting.
Cathie Slade
Co-founder of The Nurture Place, Dubai.
Cathie is originally from the UK and has lived in Dubai for 17 years. She is the proud mum of Charlie and Suzy. Whilst enjoying the many benefits of having children in the UAE, Cathie also understands the challenges that it may bring. As a parent, your support network often involves hiring professional help and she appreciates that this can feel like a daunting task. Cathie knows that you want to find the perfect person for your child, who will be there to support them as they grow.
Prior to coming to Dubai, Cathie studied a BSc (Hons) Degree in Psychology and Sociology in the UK. She went on to complete a MSc in Psychology. Until recently, Cathie has been working as a primary school counsellor for an outstanding British school in Dubai. Her most recent undertaking was to study therapeutic play with Play Therapy UK. Having experienced the power of play and the positive impact it has, Cathie is passionate to share this with the wider community.
As co-founder of The Nurture Place, Cathie understands how important it is for you to have adults in your child’s world that nurture them, fostering a feeling of connection and safety. Her passion for The Nurture Place originates from her theoretical understanding of child development, combined with being a mum and appreciating first-hand how impressionable children are when it comes to the key adults in their lives.
