Hello and welcome!
Now that you’re here – get to know me! Let me tell you a little bit about me, who I am, how I started and where I am now.
My background
I began my career as a primary school teacher many years ago, working with children aged 4–11. Teaching wasn’t something I planned; I simply fell into it. But very quickly, I discovered I was good at it – and more importantly, I loved it. Watching children light up as they learned through play planted a seed that would quietly grow for years.
In 2010, I met my husband, and by 2015 we had emigrated to Canada in search of a better quality of life for the family we hoped to have. After years of trying, heartbreak, and a failed round of IVF, we finally welcomed our son in 2018.
Becoming a mum at 43 came with its own challenges. My energy wasn’t what it once was, and when I finally emerged from the fog of early motherhood, the world changed. In early 2020, COVID-19 brought everything to a halt. Baby classes disappeared overnight. Social opportunities vanished. Support systems were gone.
With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, I poured my energy into supporting my son’s development at home. I spent countless hours researching, scrolling, and trying to create meaningful play activities using what we already had – often at the expense of rest and sleep! I was exhausted, overwhelmed, but I was determined not to let my son miss out.
My experience
In 2021, we returned to the UK, and I took the step of buying a franchise focused on teaching literacy and phonics to toddlers and preschoolers. As the business grew, something became clear. While early literacy matters, young children need much more than letters and sounds – they need rich, meaningful opportunities for developmental play.
I began adapting my classes, weaving in the play-based activities I had used with my own son at home. The response was overwhelming. Families connected deeply with this approach, and I was honoured to be nominated for “Best New Activity Provider” by What’s On 4 Kids two years in a row. Those nominations meant everything – not as recognition, but as reassurance that this work was genuinely supporting families.
Alongside classes, I shared weekly newsletters filled with simple, practical ideas parents could use at home. In sessions, I guided parents and grandparents through activities designed to build fine motor skills, language, hand–eye coordination, and the foundational skills children need to thrive – always through play, never through pressure. (Visit my blogs page to find lots of helpful tips and advice about different aspects of play and development in young children.)
In 2024, I faced one of the hardest decisions of my life. Ongoing back issues meant I could no longer run physical classes – lifting heavy sensory materials had taken its toll. My health, and my ability to be present for my young son, were my priority.
Closing the business was heartbreaking. I still remember standing in the village hall, quietly tidying away my final messy play activity, holding back tears. At the time, it felt like an ending. Little did I know that it was the beginning of something more meaningful – a way to share everything I had learned with far more families (without sacrificing my health).
My ‘aha!’ moment
My passion for teaching and wanting to help parents didn’t stop and a spark inside me ignited. That’s when ‘Learning Lighthouse’ was born. I remember thinking, ‘What if I could teach parents and grandparents exactly what I do in class in the comfort of their own homes?.’
What if I could help them:
- Remove the endless searching on social media to find activities to do with their toddler or preschooler.
- Remove the second-guessing of the types of activities they should do to help aid their child’s development.
- Create simple, purposeful play ideas that support their little one’s learning and development.
So here I am today. I’ve created a free Facebook group for parents (and grandparents) where I gently guide you through your toddler’s or preschooler’s developmental stages in a simple, no-pressure way.
I know how tired and time-poor families are, so everything I share is short, playful, and easy to use in real life. Inside the group, you’ll find practical guidance, activity ideas, and free resources designed to take the guesswork out of learning through play.
Most importantly, you’ll end each day knowing you’ve done something meaningful – supporting your child’s development while strengthening your connection with them.
And if that wasn’t enough! I was thrilled to learn that Learning Lighthouse was nominated in the Education and Training Awards 2025 by Corporate Vision. and awarded Best Family Learning Support Start-Up 2025 (Scotland) 
.
Right, that’s enough about me! Let’s get to know each other because in all honesty, parenthood is HARD! And we all need a little bit of help and support along the way. 🥰
Ready for simple, pressure-free ways to support your child’s development?
Join my free Facebook group or subscribe to my newsletter to stay connected.
Karmal x
