About Peaceful Beginnings

I can't express enough how transformative Peaceful Beginnings at the Sharda Centre has been for me. As a parent to a baby girl, this course has provided me with a fresh and beautiful perspective on parenting that I hadn't encountered before. The safe and nurturing environment created here has been instrumental in helping me explore diverse opportunities for my daughter's development. 

Donna, the course leader, embodies an exceptional approach to guiding and supporting us mothers on this enlightening journey. Her profound dedication and availability make her a pillar of strength and wisdom. Her insights, deeply rooted in research, have been invaluable, offering a wealth of ideas, love, and support that resonate with every parent attending the course.

 What sets Donna apart is her genuine passion for what she does. It's palpable in every interaction, infectious in its sincerity. Her love for her work not only motivates but also inspires us to embrace the journey of parenthood with a newfound sense of confidence and understanding. 

 The Sharda Centre itself is more than just a venue; it's a warm, welcoming space that feels like home. Its tranquil atmosphere contributes significantly to the course's effectiveness, ensuring that both the babies and parents feel secure and comfortable throughout the sessions. 

 In summary, the peaceful beginnings has been an eye-opening experience. It's a testament to the exceptional leadership of Donna and the nurturing environment provided by Sharda that has truly enriched my perspective on parenting.  

Regardless of whether you're a first-time mum, on your second journey, or beyond, I highly recommend this course to any parent seeking a deeper understanding of their child's growth and development. This course is not just a collection of sessions; it's an invitation to embrace a newfound sense of calmness and understanding in supporting your baby throughout their lifelong journey. Imagine the peace of mind that comes with gaining fresh perspectives on your child's development and learning how to provide the best possible support. 

 For first-time mums, this course will serve as a guiding light, offering invaluable insights into the complexities of your baby's growth. It's an opportunity to start this beautiful journey on solid ground, armed with knowledge and a sense of confidence that can truly make a difference. 

 If you're on your second journey like I am or beyond, you already know the joys and challenges of parenting. However, this course isn't just a repetition of what you've learned before; it's a chance to enhance your existing knowledge and have a refreshing and beautiful other perspective and understanding that you may have not already known or thought about. 

Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart to Donna and the Sharda Centre for this wonderful opportunity and time.

Thank you so so much Donna  I feel so blessed to have found your care & support.

I wanted to share how much Donna and her Peaceful Beginnings course has helped me.

These courses have been the most incredible work I’ve ever done with my baby, but also for myself & healing to my soul. They’ve given me the confidence in myself to be the best mother & woman I can be & inspire my 2 daughters.      

I’ve found so much peace, acceptance & ultimately grow in confidence in my parenting & being more in tune with my baby & older child. I wish I’d had Donna walk alongside me when I first became a mother 5 years ago and know my journey with my eldest & myself would have been different.Through my journey of motherhood and my struggles, I’d been searching for something to help my inner self be a more grounded & connected parent. 

From the moment I met Donna I felt truly safe, secure and in caring hands to open up with my mum guilt & fears. She weaves so wonderfully the development of our babies & how to support and care for their needs & our own too. But more importantly she comes alongside us mums & helps build our inner confidence, allow us to open up & truly be vulnerable with our fears & anxieties and with the grace & gentleness help us see through it with no shame or judgement at all.Her knowledge is immense coming from an ECE background & her extra studies in Pikler, self reg & circle of security. I’m now doing the circle of security course over zoom, which has been a game changer in how I parent & connect with my children at a deeper level & understanding of their needs & my own. The best investment in myself & my family I’ve ever done. 

Having a safe setting has also been special and so important for our group. I wanted to share my gratitude & thanks to The Sharda Centre for opening their very special place for us mothers & babies to come & be held in such a beautiful environment to learn, share & flourish under Donna’s care & guidance.

Coming from a place of the well-being of mother & baby I truly believe the amazing work that Donna does to create a safe place to grow as a person & mother, having the child at the heart of it is a beautiful way to come together for the benefit of so many mothers & their children. 

What Donna provides is so special for mums and is the start of an impactful & important path to change for the better of mothers & children for generations to come. The ripple effect would be incredible 

Thank you again for the incredible work you are doing for us, I’m a better person for because of finding Donna and Peaceful Beginnings 

I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a number of Donna's courses, including parent-infant, Circle of Security, and Playspace; journeying with Donna since my first child was 6 months old. 

 Donna's courses are invaluable not just for parents, teachers, and families, but for the wellbeing of babies, children, and our communities. I would love to see these courses more accessible to others, as many parents simply are not aware of the unique teachings and way of being that Donna promotes, and for others there is a financial barrier to attendance. These courses have hugely impacted my parenting journey and enhanced my relationships with my children and beyond, and I wish this for others. Donna teaches the simplicity of what babies truely need, despite the overwhelming messages we constantly receive. She fosters connection and reminds parents that all our children need is a good enough parent - which in turn creates a more confident parent. 

The courses encourage slowing down, listening to our children, and appreciating the unique beauty of our child, free from comparison or shame. The classes emphasize the simplicity of play resources our children actually need, promote free movement, and allow children to unfold at their own pace. We learn as we observe. We create connections with other like minded parents and gain knowledge of our own triggers and needs, developing compassion for ourselves and others. 

 Donna, with her peaceful beauty and supportiveness, has a magical way of walking alongside parents. Her unique blend of knowledge has created something truly special and I hope you will be able to support her to continue to touch lives and promote the wellbeing of children and families. 

 Kind regards, Angel

The Peaceful Beginnings classes with Donna are incredible. I began the journey with my youngest son when he was 5months old and am so pleased I found them when I did.

I had a lot of anxiety and stress around making sure I was doing the best possible parenting. This stress was impacting my ability to enjoy this time with my son. These classes have taught me a new way to relax, allowing me to follow my child as he learns at his own pace.

Donna has shown me how to take a step back to observe where my child is developing and how I can trust him to naturally unfold.

This new way of being with my child has enabled me to deepen my relationship with him. I wish I had these classes when my eldest son was younger, I think it's a beautiful way to build the foundations of a lifetime parent and child bond.

Donna creates such a safe supportive environment for mums to open up and to find guidance around parenting. These classes have been the highlight of our week.

The knowledge that Donna has is absolutely invaluable to young mothers or anyone hoping to understand children in these early years.

I wish this type of learning was available to everyone at the start of their parenting journey, it truly is a peaceful beginning I am eternally grateful for.

I am writing to you in support of Donna’s work and what she has to offer the community, and society at a wider level. I have worked alongside Donna for a few years and have seen and experienced first hand her vast knowledge in supporting children and their families as well as teachers. Not only does she have a wealth of pedagogical understanding in areas of child development, relationships, the circle of security, Pikler, brain science and self-regulation but she has a unique way of being with people and holding them as they embody this learning for themselves.

I helped Donna with her first series of parent-infant classes at Sharda and saw the magic that unfolded for the parents there. The classes not only assist parents to understand their child and the relationship they have with them better, but each week you can visibly see the parent open up and be held in this community and by Donna as they unpack their struggles, challenges and worries and work through these in a space of safety and non-judgment.

The infants are able to play and move, rest and be in their natural state of wonderment and seeing their unfolding every week is magical.

The play space Donna has created, supported by the course she has written herself and woven with all of her vast knowledge, has the potential to support a way of being with children that our community desperately needs.

I would love to see her be able to offer this to more families and I know how valuable this is.