Celebrating Kent Mums in Business: Wonder Tots
- claireroads
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Can you believe it's August in threeeeee ddaayyss?
Me neither.
(Confession: I totally had to google whether it was “me either” or “me neither” and I am still not sure I got the right one!!)
But it does mean it’s that time again…
Time to shine a big, bright spotlight on yet another one of our AMAZING Kent Mums in Business!
Because our local area is bursting at the seams with talent and I think it is so important to support and celebrate that.
This month, I'm beyond excited to introduce you to the fabulous Chloe McClelland, Kent Mum of two and the very proud owner of Wonder Tots - child-led sensory and creative sessions for 1-4 year olds.
I recently spent a lovely morning with Chloe at one of her morning classes in Medway (which was soooooo lovely)
We chatted all about her beautiful business and I got to see how every part of the session had been carefully and thoughtfully planned to help little ones explore, grow in confidence & discover the world through play…
Tell us about your business and what services you offer?
I run themed, child-led sensory play sessions for children aged 1 to 4 across Medway, with sessions on Mondays at Beechen Hall in Walderslade and Tuesdays at Drake's Lodge Scout Hut in Upchurch. Each session is split by age (1–2.5 years and 2.5–4 years) and thoughtfully designed to give children the freedom to explore, create, and learn at their own pace.
Every session is carefully planned, with many of the resources handmade, from hand-dyed sensory rice to homemade play dough.
Rather than focusing on keeping little ones "entertained", Wonder Tots creates a calm, welcoming space where children can follow their curiosity, build confidence, and simply enjoy being little.
I've also just started offering Wonder Tots birthday parties, and I couldn't be more excited about it! It all started when one of the lovely mums from my classes asked if I'd create a Wonder Tots set-up for her daughter's birthday. I felt so honoured that she trusted me with such a special day, and I poured my heart into planning and creating every detail.
By the end of the party, the children were still completely immersed in their play, and I could hardly bring myself to start packing everything away. To me, that was the greatest compliment I could have received. It gave me the confidence to say yes to something new, and now I can't wait to bring Wonder Tots parties to more birthdays.
What do you offer to your clients that no-one else does?
I think what makes Wonder Tots different is the feeling people get when they walk through the door.
There's no pressure for children to join in at a certain time, no expectation for them to sit still, and no overstimulating lights or loud music. Instead, I create a calm, beautifully designed space where children can explore freely and parents can slow down alongside them.
It's less "toddler class" and more a genuine opportunity for children to lead their own play, build independence, and grow in confidence, while parents get to relax and be present instead of feeling like they have to entertain or perform.
Every theme is created from scratch, with many of the resources handmade by me, so no two sessions ever feel the same. I spend time designing experiences that spark curiosity while remaining simple enough to let children's imaginations lead the play.
As a former primary school teacher, everything I create has purpose behind it. I believe children learn best when they're genuinely engaged, following their own interests, and given the time to explore without being rushed.
Perhaps the biggest difference is that Wonder Tots isn't just about the children. Wonder Tots gives families permission to slow down, connect, and enjoy the ordinary moments of childhood because those are often the ones that matter most.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My beautiful girls, without a doubt! They're the reason Wonder Tots exists in the first place.
Watching them has taught me that children don't need endless entertainment. They need time, space, and just the freedom to follow their own curiosity. Some of our best moments happen in the simplest ways: spotting a snail on a walk, choosing books at the library, creating potions in the mud kitchen, or having an impromptu Taylor Swift dance party in the front room.
Those ordinary, everyday moments are often the most magical, and they're where so many of my ideas begin.
My teaching background has also definitely shaped everything I create. I understand how children learn through play and exploration, but becoming a mum completely changed my perspective. It definitely made me realise that childhood doesn't need to be rushed or constantly optimised… it deserves to be enjoyed.
I also find inspiration in the changing seasons, nature, children's books, and the wonderful families who come to Wonder Tots each week. Every theme starts with a simple spark of curiosity, which I carefully transform into a child-led sensory experience that encourages children to explore, imagine, build confidence, and simply enjoy being little.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Oh, I have a few favourite parts, so it's hard to choose!
My biggest favourite has to be opening the door at the start of each session and seeing the excitement on both the children's (and often the parents'!) faces as they discover the new theme for the first time. It's a feeling that never gets old, and I genuinely look forward to it every single week.
I also love watching the quiet transformations that happen over time. Seeing a child gradually build the confidence to explore independently is incredibly special. Those moments might seem small to someone else, but to me, they're huge.
And then there are the conversations with parents. Hearing that Wonder Tots has become one of their child's favourite parts of the week, or that they've noticed a real difference in their confidence, curiosity, or willingness to explore at home, means more than I can put into words.
Those little moments of joy, growth, and connection are the heartbeat of Wonder Tots, and they're exactly why I do what I do!
If you would like to know more about the wonderful work that Chloe is doing, please give her a follow (and your support) on social media and then spread the word about Wonder Tots to the Mums in your life, because it is really fantastic.
Claire x
