With over 15 years of experience working closely with families, Andreea Petre observed a recurring theme – play spaces filled with toys, but lacking the intention and structure needed to truly support a child’s development. Drawing on her Montessori training and passion for child-led learning, she launched Kid’s Den Consulting to help families create calm, functional and inspiring spaces where children can play, grow and thrive. What began as a simple transformation in one family’s home has grown into a mission-driven business focused on connection, creativity and lasting impact. Here Andreea talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind Kid’s Den Consulting, her biggest breakthrough, the challenges of running her own business alongside her full-time job, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I’ve worked with children for over 15 years, and being in people’s homes has given me a unique insight into their environments – particularly how easily children’s play spaces are often overlooked. Some people think that having lots of toys should be enough to keep children entertained, but that’s simply not the case.
My Montessori training deepened my understanding of child development and showed me just how crucial the home environment is for nurturing a child’s growth and independence. Having an unlimited supply of toys can be very overwhelming for little ones (and parents too – especially around birthdays and holidays when the gifts just keep on coming). Not having clear, designated areas makes it chaotic – and tidying up becomes a nightmare.
I’m on a mission to help parents create spaces their children will love. While I sometimes refer to my work as playroom decluttering and organising, it’s so much more than that. I want to help parents understand the importance of fostering creativity, independence and self-esteem for their little ones – and it all starts at home!
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
As a nanny to two with a baby on the way, I observed the kids struggling with independent play and homework. The playroom was a good size and full of toys, but it wasn’t serving its purpose. So I asked myself: “How do I transform this space so that it accommodates three children of different ages, stages and interests?”.
I sat down with the parents and explained my ideas – the rationale, the benefits, and changes like opening up the space, installing a mirror at child height, and introducing toy rotation, etc. They gave me trust and freedom to implement all the changes. What motivated me was seeing the girls’ reaction to their new space and the excitement that followed every day. It was now a space they loved, where they could grow and develop.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Creating an environment where children feel safe, welcomed and happy is my ultimate goal. The biggest breakthrough was seeing those little excited faces come home and run to the playroom to see what was different – what new activities there were on the shelves and what toys were available. Documenting and sharing these moments around my networks not only brought in more business but gave me the confidence that this was something worth pursuing.
The feedback from the parents has shown me just how much of a difference my business can actually make – and the children’s independence and growth are unmatched.
The Balance: How do you manage working full-time and running your own business?
Balancing a full-time job and running a business is definitely challenging. I continue to have so much to learn. My priorities have also changed and I’ve had to make sacrifices – like cancelling or changing plans and commitments to accommodate clients – but it’s all worth it in the end.
I get to work with different families and children, and I don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. I like to get as much insight as possible about the children and the family’s lifestyle: what changes are they open to making, if they want to invest in new furniture or want to work with what’s there, what the children’s interests are, their current stage of development, etc.
I don’t just organise the toys; I offer guidance and support to help parents put systems in place that aren’t just a one-time thing, but nurturing, lasting environments that families can continue using long after I’m gone.
