Why do this course?

Maybe the more important question is why not. When you understand how attachment forms through relationships, this course should be on every parent's list as the foundation of their care.

  • The Circle of Security (COS) Parents Program is a group coaching program backed by decades of research that gives you the tools and insight to better understand the needs that underlie our little ones' behaviours.

  • COS supports you to lean into your own wisdom and find ways to strengthen your bond with your child, love them for who they are and feel confident in meeting their needs (while still honouring your own).

  • What if you had the confidence to be there for your child in the ways that matter? If you understood what was really needed for their development and you were that important.

  • What if there was a scientifically proven way to strengthen your relationship with your

  • This course in online as I understand being a parent myself that studying from the comfort of your own home is important for your own well-being needs, rather than heading out after a long day at work.

I have softer eyes and heart towards myself and my kids again (most of the time and thats also enough). Thankyou from the bottom of my heart Donna

Mum of 2

I started journeying with Donna with my first baby girl in the parent infant course which I also highly recommend!! (I could write about that for hours), but with second boy now nearly 3, and my girl going to primary next year ..I felt myself needing to do this course that has been on my mind for a few years and I'm so happy I did! I have been feeling a bit wishy-washy as a parent in that I felt I needed more support to know what I'm doing to help my kids thrive emotionally. I was realising I was a gentle parent that sometimes fell into authoritative and woah and behold this was actually part of the later course and confirmed that learning for me but also gave me ideas with how to work on this to remain wise and secure base for the children (still a work in progress!).The circle of security helps me now to visualize what my child is needing and how I can best support them. I found through different challenges with the children and myself, I was able to sit down with my notes of the circle security and it helped guide me every time to a new learning or where I needed to focus on supporting my kids, whereas before I was a wee bit lost!This course is also another beautifully led space by Donna who allows me to feel safe enough and who I trust has the expertise and knowledge to present the course and hold it wherever it goes - lots of discussions between all of us which took learning to abother level!We had some Dads join in and it helped all of us to work together with our partners better. I'm going to put this out there as I feel many woman could resonate with this, but I was becoming very unregulated with believing I was holding the circle all by myself (especially the organizing emotions of my 4yr old) ..however doing this with my partner and hearing the other dads talk alot during the course really helped my own regulation because I realized that my partner does a huge job at holding the circle for all of us (even when I do more of 'being with' emotions as this is more my gift and im physically at home with the kids more) but he does it in different ways, we all have different gifts to contribute to parenting of our children and we work together more as a team. This is because learning about the circle of security gave us the structure and language to talk about parenting together and we did this more regularly on a day to day basis, sometimes I was missing a clue or awareness of what was happening with the kids and my partner would have that missing piece!. We also recognized that he was the hands that held me (and I was often the hands that held the kids) and so the system fell apart if we weren't connected. The circle again gave us the framework to see this.I feel like I'm an adventurer now with everything I need move forward in parenting, rather than feeling like I have no map! I have softer eyes and heart towards myself and my kids again (most of the time and thats also enough). Thankyou from the bottom of my heart Donna
Are you ready now? Press here

How does it work?

  • Each week (for 7 weeks starting 16 October 2024) we meet via Zoom to work through the chapters of Circle of Security together. The program consists of a combination of videos, exercises and group discussion.

  • We spend time between sessions digesting, reflecting and practicing what we learned the week before. Each week we invite you to share your ‘Circle Stories’ because once you learn about 'The Circle' - you start to see it everywhere in daily life with your little ones.

  • Please note that weekly sessions are not recorded so we can maintain privacy and the integrity of the group nature of the program. This is a guideline from Circle of Security International. If you know you will be away for one of the weeks, you can contact me to arrange a catch up session.

Doing the course with other parents was great and provided real examples of the circle and things other families were going through - I never felt alone in our struggles and successes.

Mum of two

I honestly didn’t know what to expect walking into this course. Donna and the circle of security came recommended by one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met from my daughters daycare, and talking to her about it, it felt right in my heart that this was the exact course I needed in my parenting journey. It’s hard to put into words what I got from the course (and I know I’ll miss several things! Also sorry In advance for the novel 🤣) I did this course with my husband which I recommend if you’re able to. Donna is really understanding about parents needing to step in and out for children throughout and there was never an expectation to sit and listen 100% of the time if it wasn’t possible - she completely gets it which really helped! This course gave my husband and I a language to communicate in and with each of us having a different parenting style it created a bridge that we could meet in the middle and both agree on our direction. We are using things we have learnt in the circle everyday, and it doesnt feel hard because it just makes sense! I could go into a lot of detail here about all the things I really liked, but it would make this message so long and no one would read it haha! If you’re on the fence about doing this - just jump in! I promise you will not regret it. I love the connection that has been built into our family from this. And I also love that the things you learn each week are immediately able to be seen in the real world and put into practice. It’s just just things you watch or read and then leave there and forget about. The ultimate magic of this course lies in the other parents who do it with you and of course - the amazing Donna. Donna brings the most incredible love, patience and understanding to the classes and it honestly feels like you do every class with a huge warm hug around you. She laughs with you, helps you shed your guilt and gives you tools to move forward. There was never any judgement or anytime that I didn’t feel safe to share. Doing the course with other parents was great and provided real examples of the circle and things other families were going through - I never felt alone in our struggles and successes. In every class we had deep meaning conversations and plenty of laughs! A truly beautiful group of people I really looked forward to the class every week and to be honest I’m really sad it’s finished Donna, I cannot wait to see what 2024 brings for you and please put me down for self reg classes or regular catch ups if possible

What do we learn?

During the course of this perspective-shifting program, you will:

  • Understand more about your child’s world and learn to anticipate their emotional needs

  • Be better equipped to help your child feel and manage their emotions

  • Gain confidence in your teaching and improve your child's self esteem

  • Learn to honour your innate wisdom and desire for your the children in your care to be secure

Your work is touching and transforming the root of so many issues we face now in all levels

Dad of 1

Donna you are truly a healer! Your work is touching and transforming the root of so many issues we face now in all levels. I feel blessed to be in your creative space and feel the presence of the ancient wisdom of natural parenting which is long forgotten. I feel glad that I asked you if men are welcomed into your courses you offer and you gave me a YES! Now that I am writing after few weeks the course completed, the results of the course is still unfolding more..I just can say “fathers, sign up!” Looking forward to see you more and get nourished and healed.

Who is it for?

  • Teachers of children aged 0-5 years who want to gain confidence in their teaching, strengthen the bond they have with their children in their care and reflect on the ways they teach and why.

  • PLEASE NOTE : this class will merge with parent class on TUESDAY night if minimum numbers are not made.

  • Parents that know in their heart that there is something that they are missing. In my experience parents know this work, all I am doing is giving the words and research to what they have always felt deep inside.

I would look forward to every Monday night and the safe space that felt like a big hug with a Pat on the back each week

Mum of 1

After just completing this amazing 7 week course, I’ve come away feeling incredibly thankful. What a gift it was to have Donna share her knowledge and wisdom. I would look forward to every Monday night and the safe space that felt like a big hug with a Pat on the back each week. Such a shift from society norms of expecting us to be the “perfect parent” but more so the good enough parent and that

Frequently asked questions

  • HOW LONG DO SESSIONS GO FOR? Sessions will typically go for about a 1 and a half - some sessions are longer than others and I will cap at 2 hours 7.30-9.30pm

  • CAN I DO THIS AS A SELF-PACED OPTION? Unfortunately not. Circle of Security was designed and is intended to run as a group program. The beauty of this program is through reflection and group discussion, where we bounce ideas off one another and bring our thoughts, fears and feelings to the table.

  • I CAN'T MAKE THIS ROUND, WHEN WILL THE NEXT INTAKE BE? This will be the last for this year and i will restart up again in February 2025. You are more than welcome to message me at [email protected] to let me know that you are interested.

  • IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN OPTION? Absolutely - please email me [email protected] if you would like to organise this or need to pay by invoice.

I'm Donna founder of Peaceful Beginnings

Peaceful Beginnings is my baby created with love

I'll be honest: When I became a teacher, I felt lost, there was so much theory out there and some of it I just dodn't feel comfortable with. I started this journey supporting parents about 8 years ago (read more on my website) because I wanted to create the courses that I needed. This is me from 3 years ago when I managed an early childhood centre in Pukekohe. I had a studio there where I used to support and mentor our parents and teachers. I realised this was my passion.

I'm a little bit older and greyer BUT still just as passionate about supporting parents and teachers

My courses are unique because of my unique education background

Before my own children, I was an intellectual disabilities nurse from the UK. I specialised in working with the most severe challenges working out what people needed in their lives. With the birth of my own children, I became hugely interested in child development. I never thought this would be where my new career would develop as an ECE teacher and then a parent educator. But my thirst for knowledge and supporting people has only grown. I'm at the stage where I'm looking at how I can make Peaceful Beginnings a not-for-profit organisation, as I believe money shouldn't stop people from accessing my classes or courses. So watch this space

I could not have done everything I have achieved without this man's unconditional support

He gave me the support to leave my managers role to ripple out how to support children, parents and teachers through relationships, compassion and unconditional love

Sam, my husband, knows how important this work is to me. He supported me in giving up my manager's role last year to follow my passion and was often seen on an early Tuesday morning helping me carry in all my equipment and helping me set up play environments. There is no way I could be here with these courses without him. My rock, my anchor and the most amazing dad to our teenage children. We have been together 22 years and our parenting route has had its HIGHS and its LOW LOWS....... I have walked the journey that I will be accompanying you on. As a parent, teacher and human BEing. Everyone needs the hands they can circle back too (check out my Circle of Security course to understand this).

So what makes me unique?

As I meet each new parent or teacher I listen to their needs. Over the last 8 years I have developed my theories through my observations of children, parents and teachers. You just have to read my feed back to know that I've been able to capture something unique that people are searching for. I'll try and show you my journey to where I am now.

  • I'm going to be very vulnerable here. 8 years ago, my nervous system was a wreck. I was constantly in my sympathetic nervous system and I didn't like how I felt or acted. I remember crying out on my front steps to the universe "PLEASE !!! PLEASE help me with my anger. (what I didn't realise was i was asking the wrong question; my anger was gifting me a message of unmet needs that I needed to listen too.)About 2 weeks later I was introduced to Kimberley Crisp and shortly after I was on Pennie Brownlee's Dance with me in the Heart. And my life began to change. I will be forever grateful for those two ladies

  • At that time, I was working at an amazing centre where everyone was stressed. Children and adults, and this was the start of my observations into the culture of team work and hygenic practice. Something Kimberley Crisp really helped me to get my ideas as I bounced my observations off her and Liane. It wasn't the people, they were amazing it was the STRESSED environment that made it unhygenic. I suppose we all hold some toxicity when we are stressed and unhealed from childhood wounds.

  • I lapped up everything that Pennie and Kimberley were teaching from their love of the Pikler approach. I became one of Pennie's Parent/infant and Parent/Toddler facilitators. And this was the first time I left teaching to work with parents. I thought I had more to offer here.

  • When I had lapped up everything I could from these amazing ladies I started my Pikler journey. In one year I travelled to Sydney, LA in USA and Budapest. I had never heard such a respectful way of BEing with children. Completing their week long basic courses: Respectful Care, Freedom of movement and freedom to play. Each time I came back from a course I felt a layer of skin had been taking off my eyes that had previously clouded my vision. The children and parents that I was supporting were still the same but what I saw had far more depth. These courses were mindblowing for what I was learning and how I could support my parents.

  • It was during these early years of facilitating parent/ toddler classes that I started to see something change in my Play Room that I couldn't place my finger on. I could see that the toddler years was having an impact on my parents that I was accompanying. Parents that had been confident in conscious parenting were now looking for more authoritarian techniques rather than the partnership relationship I was teaching. I could feel there was something that I was missing and so I went in search of something that would support parents to still be in relationship with their child. And I found CIRCLE OF SECURITY and it has been a game changer for me and something that I would guide all parents and teachers to complete.

  • I then returned to teaching now as a leader and manager. And my observations continued to look at how did staff teams work. What happened when everyone was regulated and what changed as stress arose in the environment. It was the greatest teaching ground to learn about people and their interactions with each other and then with children. My theories kept expanding and I am so grateful to Kimberley Crisp of all the hours she listened to me as I was formularizing my ideas. So much was grounded in Pikler but then so much was outside this realm as I started to understand more and more about attachment theory, brain and nervous system development and Self-Regulation. And I can assure you it is all there hidden in plain sight in teamwork too

  • Then COVID hit and the world changed and I took my classes with the Pikler Institute online. (and if I'm honest its probably how I am still able to do them because this time saved me so much money). In these years I learnt Observation, Peace within me (The Pikler Institutes social competence course) and Dialogue with the Infant and toddler, where I found out what you do in the first year of life the child brings into the social and play environments when they are older.

  • The world opened up and back I went to Budpest and realised how much I had missed being in this environment with many other highly researched based practitioners from around the world. This was my final elective course about supporting caregivers and the first time I could observe the techniques I had spent years learning about. I started to see that what I had been observing in staff teams was hidden into the foundations of what I was learning this year.

  • 2023 back home to New Zealand and once again I could see that my studies weren't quite reaching the needs of some parents. I was back working as a manager in ECE. I could feel there was something that wasn't quite working for some parents with CIRCLE OF SECURITY. And that's when I starting to see the links with the nervous system and Self-Reg. I created my own unique courses and started to see huge changes for parents that had struggled before. Still in 2023 I was contacted by a parent I had worked with. She wanted me to look into InterPlay by Donna Berry as she thought it would be a missing puzzle piece of what I was doing. And she was right. I am currently still studying to become a Senior InterPlay facilitator but want to create a space for supporting trauma through play.

  • Gosh 2023 was a busy year. With now relationship knowledge, brain development knowledge, attachment theory and nervous system and Self-Reg knowledge. I wrote my first parent infant programme and added to my Self-regulation prgramme being guided by what I was learning from the adults working with me. And you get to experience it here on this new updated of an already popular course.