Information
Welcome to The Early Years Collective, your partner in building calm, connected, and people-centred environments where children and adults truly thrive. I pride myself on my adaptability and commitment to excellence in every aspect of my service. Explore what I have to offer and how I can contribute to your success, bringing clarity, confidence, and purpose to your Early Years practice.
Frequently asked questions
It all began with a simple idea fueled by a deep passion for Early Years excellence. As a consultancy, I pride myself on personal attention and dedication to every detail. My approach is rooted in quality and integrity, ensuring that everything I do reflects my commitment to strengthening leaders and practitioners. Here, you'll find answers to common questions about how I work and what we can achieve together.
What kinds of settings do you work with?
I support nurseries, preschools, and Early Years provisions of all sizes — from single‑site settings to multi‑site groups. My work is tailored, so it fits whether you’re an owner, manager, or practitioner team looking for clarity and calm.
What problems do you help solve?
I help with inconsistency across teams, behaviour challenges, low morale, unclear routines, communication issues, and environments that feel chaotic or overwhelming. My focus is always on strengthening the adults so the whole setting becomes calmer and more connected.
How is your approach different from other consultants?
I work with people first, not paperwork. I bring emotional intelligence, leadership experience, and practical Early Years understanding to create change that feels safe, sustainable, and rooted in purpose. I simplify what feels overwhelming and help teams build confidence, clarity, and consistency.
Do you offer one‑off sessions or ongoing support?
Both. Some settings need a single clarity session; others benefit from ongoing leadership support, team development, or behaviour guidance. I shape the support around what your setting genuinely needs.
Can you help with behaviour and emotional regulation?
Yes. I specialise in helping teams understand behaviour through a developmental lens, create consistent approaches, and feel confident responding calmly and effectively.
Do you work with practitioners directly or just leaders?
Both. I support owners and managers with leadership clarity, and I work directly with practitioners to build confidence, purpose, and consistent practice.
How do I know if this is right for my setting?
If your team is overwhelmed, inconsistent, or craving clarity and calm — or if you want to strengthen leadership and culture — my approach will make a meaningful difference.
What’s the first step?
Get in touch to start a conversation. We’ll explore what your team needs and decide together what support will create the biggest impact.
How does working with The Early Years Collective actually work? What's the typical journey or process?
Working with The Early Years Collective is a calm, supportive, and genuinely collaborative process. It’s designed to give you clarity quickly, reduce overwhelm, and create changes that actually stick.
The typical journey
We start with a conversation: You share what’s happening in your setting — the challenges, the pressures, the hopes. I listen deeply to understand the people, the culture, and the day‑to‑day reality.
We identify what will make the biggest difference: Together we decide where to focus first: leadership clarity, team consistency, behaviour support, routines, communication, or overall culture. This ensures the work feels purposeful, not overwhelming.
I spend time getting to know your team and environment: This might be through observation, conversations, or reflective sessions. My aim is always to understand the adults, not to judge them.
We create simple, clear systems and expectations: I help you strip away the noise and build routines, approaches, and communication that everyone can follow confidently.
I support leaders and practitioners to embed the changes: This can include coaching, modelling, training, or reflective practice. The focus is always on confidence, clarity, and emotional safety.
We review, refine, and strengthen: As things settle, we look at what’s working, what needs adjusting, and how to keep the culture calm, consistent, and connected.
The experience: The journey feels steady, warm, and grounding. You’re never left guessing, and your team never feels judged. The aim is always the same: to lift the adults so the children thrive.
What makes your support different or special compared to other options available to Early Years settings?
At The Early Years Collective, my support is truly bespoke, focusing on emotional intelligence and genuine collaboration. I don't just offer solutions; I partner with you to co-create sustainable change. My approach prioritises strengthening the adults and fostering a culture of calm and connection, ensuring long-term impact that goes beyond generic advice. I believe in empowering teams from within.
If someone is interested in your support, what's the best first step they should take?
The best first step is to book an initial, no-obligation clarity call with me. This allows me to understand your specific needs, answer any questions you may have, and discuss how The Early Years Collective can best support your setting. You can easily schedule this through my website or by contacting me directly at ballantinekathy@gmail.som or 07805339771.
Ready for clarity and calm?
This is where our journey begins. Get to know The Early Years Collective and what I do, and how I'm committed to quality and great service. Join me as we grow and succeed together. I'm glad you're here to be a part of our story.
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