About Us

Minds Blooming Kids is also a space of understanding and collaboration. Together, we focus on your child’s emotional well-being, strengthen family communication, and create tools that help your child flourish at home, at school, and in everyday life.

Welcome to Minds Blooming Kids

Welcome to a warm and nurturing space where children can grow, express, and bloom at their own pace.

Art and play therapy are powerful tools for healing and growth. These creative approaches give kids a safe space to express emotions, explore their world, and make sense of experiences that can sometimes feel too big for words.

I hope you enjoy your journey through this website and I look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community.

Macarena Penafiel

Owner

Why us?

Redefining early child care education

In our sessions, we draw on a mix of play-based strategies,
emotional regulation tools, and family collaboration to create a warm, supportive space where children can thrive and families feel understood and empowered.

We provide therapy in English and Spanish for bilingual kids creating an inclusive environment where families from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and supported.

Every child’s journey is unique, and I’m here to walk alongside you and your family as you grow together.

PARENT TESTIMONIALS

Kind words from our parents.

Have a look what parents have to say about us.

“I’m a single parent to young son who lives with autism and ADHD.
Macarena and Mind Blooming Kids have been supporting my son for a few years now, and they’ve not only been a fantastic support, but we’ve both learned and gained so much from Macarena’s knowledge and therapy.

Specifically, Macarena’s guided play therapy has been such a source of joy and learning for my son, and he’s benefited greatly, both inside and outside the classroom, and really all aspects of his life.

Jack L.

Parent

We are so pleased with our daughter's progress; the art and play therapy is clearly working!

We're noticing she is using strategies to pause and regulate when she gets frustrated. Thank you for the wonderful work!!

Luz Bascicoa

Mother

Maca has been supporting my son for two years now, and I can’t thank her enough for the incredible care and guidance she has provided. The changes he has made with her support have been truly remarkable. She is compassionate, understanding, and genuinely listens to what we need. Her approach is always tailored, practical, and empowering. We’ve seen real progress, and it has made such a positive difference in our everyday life. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for skilled, caring, and truly supportive help.

Karla Cristianne

Mother

Maca worked with me and my daughter for six years. My daughter is autistic, has ADHD, and is very shy, but Maca was one of the few people she felt comfortable with and opened up to. Maca helped her with anxiety and confidence building, and we are very grateful for the clear improvements in her life. She works with children in a wonderful way that gets significant results while feeling like fun and caring play with a trusted adult.

Yvette Sitlington

Mother

Our teaching staffs

Our staff consists of three teachers and one assistant with experience in early childhood care.

Macarena Penafiel

Macarena is a bilingual child counsellor (English and Spanish) with a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health. She has over eight years of experience supporting children and families through emotional and developmental challenges.

Her approach is warm, playful, and trauma-informed, helping children feel safe to explore their emotions and build resilience. Macarena is passionate about creating spaces where every child feels understood, valued, and empowered to grow.

“Every child deserves a safe space to be seen, heard, and free to be themselves.
”Macarena es una consejera infantil bilingüe (español e inglés) con una
maestría en Rehabilitación y Salud Mental. Cuenta con más de ocho años de experiencia acompañando a niños y familias en sus procesos emocionales y de desarrollo.

Su enfoque es cálido, cercano y basado en el juego, ayudando a los niños a sentirse seguros para expresar sus emociones y desarrollar confianza en sí mismos. Con una sólida formación en psicología y un enfoque informado por el trauma, Macarena promueve el bienestar emocional desde la empatía, la conexión y el respeto por la individualidad de cada niño.

Ines Aponte

Early Childhood Education student with a master’s degree in Learning Intervention from the University of Melbourne and a background in Speech Pathology. She specialises in language, speech, communication, and literacy development. Passionate about supporting children’s learning in both clinical and educational settings, aiming to foster inclusive, positive, and sustainable learning environments that promote lifelong learning opportunities.

Estudiante de Educación Infantil con un máster en Intervención en el Aprendizaje por la Universidad de Melbourne y formación en Fonoaudiología. Especializada en lenguaje, habla, comunicación y lectoescritura.
Apasionada por apoyar el aprendizaje infantil en contextos clínicos y educativos, promoviendo entornos de aprendizaje inclusivos, positivos y sostenibles que favorezcan el desarrollo integral y continuo de los niños.