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Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm Thursday 10am - 3:30pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 12:30pm

Carly Budd Developmental Play Academy

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Carly Budd Developmental Play Academy

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🏆Paediatric Neuro OT training individuals, NHS, charity & third sector teams in inclusive early development & play for 0–3's 🚼 of ALL abilities ♿️
Train with an award-winning OT at the Developmental Play Academy®

14/04/2026

Celebrating our latest Advanced Practitoner in Developmental Play 🤩👌

There is something really special about supporting a practitioner who chooses to go deeper in their understanding of babies and their development.

I’d love to introduce Debbie 💛
Originally from South Africa and now based in Portugal, Debbie came into this work as an infant massage instructor, already holding such a lovely foundation in supporting babies and their families.

What felt important for her was building on that knowledge and beginning to understand development in a different way. Looking beyond techniques and really considering how babies move, how they connect, and how play shapes their early experiences and lifelong skills.

Debbie has now completed her training as an Advanced Practitioner in Infant Developmental Play, including my Tummy Time Practitioner Training, and it has been a real privilege to support her through that journey.

This is the work that matters to me. Supporting practitioners to feel more confident in what they are seeing, to understand the why behind what they are doing, and to offer support that truly meets each baby where they are in their development. This in turn supports more families and children. This is deep work not surface level learning!

Debbie, the care you have for the families you work with really shines through, and it has been so lovely to see you grow in your confidence and understanding.

This is exactly why I created the Developmental Play Academy. To support practitioners across the world to build knowledge that feels meaningful, usable, and rooted in real development.

Enjoy this next chapter , Debbie 🌿

www.carlybudd.co.uk

10/04/2026

Heyyyyy, I’m back from my holibobs ☀️

It’s the longest I’ve taken away from my work socials in the six years I’ve been doing this… and wow, I needed it.

And honestly? I don’t think anybody even noticed 😂

Which just proves something I think we all need to hear more often: we can come away from the pressure of trying to do it all, be it all and show up perfectly online all the time.

I’m not here for perfection.

I’m here for connection, play and real-life authenticity.

At the centre of everything, I’m just a mum, a wife, an OT, and someone who loves sharing my journey, my knowledge and experience alongside the clinical side that I bring into my work too.

And the funny thing is, whilst I was away resting, switching off and being present with my family, the world didn’t stop. I still had lots of enquiries come through and somebody signed up to my full Advanced Practitioner in Developmental Play Programme too 🥹

A little reminder that sometimes stepping back is exactly what we need. The work still happens. The right people still find you. And you don’t have to burn yourself out to be successful.

www.carlybudd.co.uk

24/03/2026

I’ve always loved the idea that some people carry sunshine within them ✨

It’s something I’ve been told since I was a little girl, and over time I’ve come to understand what that really means for me. I notice the little things, the moments that are so easy to miss. The smile of a child, the wins we sometimes have to wait for, sitting with them in the wobbles when they don’t feel quite right. That playful, steady, sunny energy.

Nature has always been part of that. For me it reflects my work, slowing down, noticing, holding space and celebrating the small wins. I’ve been doing nature sensory walks since my children were tiny, exploring textures, smells, sounds and those gentle seasonal shifts that invite connection, curiosity and play, just like the sessions I lead.

It feels really special to see the practitioners I teach being inspired by this too, taking it outside, bringing nature into their sessions and trusting what is already there.

Right now, I’m soaking in this turn into spring. My daily walks feel like a reset, noticing new life, changing colours and the feel of the air. Nature really is the most beautiful sensory room.

Maybe that “sunshine” people have always seen in me comes from this way of being, slowing down, noticing, holding space and finding the magic in the everyday, while gently helping others to see it too ✨

Perhaps you’ll come join me one of these days, I’d love you too xx

www.carlybudd.co.uk

20/03/2026

Honestly? Marking day is one of my favourites 🥹

Because it’s the moment I get to see my students through their work, and today is reminding me exactly why this training exists.

They’re learning to look at babies and young children through a neurodevelopmental lens. To use play as a powerful developmental tool that builds real connection between babies and parents, and lays the foundations for postural control, motor coordination, gravitational security, fine motor skills, visual perception… and ultimately, lifelong function.

But they’re also learning something that sits very close to my heart as a paediatric OT - how to adapt. A toy. A position. A simple moment. Because my life’s work is in those tweaks, the small, thoughtful adjustments that mean all children can access play, whatever they’re navigating.

That’s not small. That’s everything.

So proud of this community 🌿

www.carlybudd.co.uk

10/03/2026

✨☀️Exciting news for Gosport and Lee-on-Solent as we celebrate a new OT-approved Nature Play Practitioner: 🌿💞

Eleanor loved our Play the Nature Practitioner course and told me she’d didn’t want it to end! After a dedicated few weeks she is now a qualified Nature Play Practitioner with a deep understanding of how nature supports child development, sensory processing, and gross motor skills. She’s bringing nature play to her community through her new business - Little Pod Explorers.

Children will climb, explore, get messy, and connect with the natural world, building confidence, curiosity, emotional resilience, and a sense of care for the earth 🌱. These sessions also support parent wellbeing, creating opportunities for families to connect, relax, and enjoy the outdoors together, whatever the weather.

Congratulations Eleanor, I cannot wait to see the next generation of little adventurers discovering the magic of nature play. ✨

www.carlybudd.co.uk

08/03/2026

How lucky I am to have such strong women in my life. And so many of them too, you all know who you are 💜

This photo is from just yesterday with my mum, my nan, and my sister - my OG girls 💞

Today I am celebrating all the women in my life who inspire, support, and lift me and each other up every day.

Happy International Women’s Day. ✨

06/03/2026

Developmental play isn’t just for children. It’s for families. When practitioners truly understand development…not just milestones, but the why behind movement, regulation and connection …everything changes.

✨We stop delivering sessions and start translating play for families.✨

Because when parents understand: • why floor play matters • why core strength comes before pencil grip • why regulation shapes attention
They become confident. Not confused.
Knowledgeable practitioners empower confident parents. And confident parents raise children who are free to move, play and develop.
Practitioners are the bridge.
If you want to become that bridge, reach out for a free no-obligation chat about training with the Developmental Play Academy.

www.carlybudd.co.uk

03/03/2026

40 and feeling very, very grateful ✨🤍

The sun has been shining, kids and husband has showered me with gifts I’ve walked amongst the trees, eaten breakie in the garden… this weekend just gone I went away with my mummy friends!

Tonight I’m celebrating with my little family and my mum and dad, family celebrations this weekend, a sleepover next week on Friday 13th with my witchy woo friends, a show and swanky dinner with my sister in a few weeks, a holiday in May with my fam, planned summer weekend away with my bestie… honestly 🥹✨🙏🏼🙌🏽

I feel completely held. Spoilt. Loved.

Plus Another whole decade of doing work I adore. Supporting little ones. Teaching practitioners. Building something that means so much to me. And somehow, alongside that, building the most beautiful friendships and memories too.

So in the spirit of birthday gratitude, if you choose to join my Advanced Practitioner Programme 0-3 this week, I’d love to gift you a 1:1 mentoring call with me. Just us. Space to think, reflect and grow. It feels like a lovely way to give back.

Here’s to 40 , full heart, full diary, full moon 🌕✨

Carly x

27/02/2026

✨Celebrating our new Tummy Time Practitoner Oyindamola ✨

The lovely Oyinda of .nl has l completed her Tummy Time Practitioner training (including for children with additional needs ) as part of the Advanced Practitioner in Developmental Play 0–3 pathway. Whooo!

👉🏽This means she is confidently equipped to support babies to develop strong foundational skills with a deep knowledge of tummy time as part of a varied play diet and with the skills to adapt for children who require extra support.

⭐️Oyinda brings a wealth of experience to this work. She has long worked with children, has a deep interest in child development, and is also a writer, using her words to connect, inspire, and support families. Her background in developmental baby massage fits beautifully with her learning in developmental play, giving her a holistic understanding of movement, touch, and early connection.

Next, she’ll be moving into Infant Developmental Play and Toddler Developmental Play of the Advanced Practitioner programme with me, continuing to build her expertise step by step.

I’m so excited to see how she applies everything she’s learning to make a real difference for the families she supports in her business!

Congratulations, Oyinda ✨✨the children, parents, and families you work with are incredibly lucky to have you.

If you’d like to train with me to either infuse the knowledge into your current service or programme, or to create a whole new business, do check out my training www.carlybudd.co.uk

Address

Colchester

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 3:30pm
Thursday	10am - 3:30pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 12:30pm

Website

http://www.carlybudd.co.uk/

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