I’m Estela, and I’ve began home educating from a place of uncertainty myself.
I moved to the UK from Brazil for my husband's DPhil at the University of Oxford. I registered my children at the local school as soon as we arrived, but quickly began to feel uneasy about what was being offered.
One afternoon, my eldest came home with a bruise after another child deliberately hurt her. Smaller incidents followed and I got a sense that the school did not care. At the same time, she was not being given the same learning materials as others. I decided to give home education a try.
Seven years later, I was still home educating both my children (one of whom has ADHD). But I did feel insecure at beginning...
Two experiences made me feel more confident: at school, my eldest began saying she hated maths. Once at home and the pressure removed, enjoyment came back. My youngest, meanwhile, had been learning to read in Portuguese before we moved to the UK, but I made the decision to introduce reading in English instead. I wasn't sure how she would cope. In the end, her Montessori background and the Charlotte Mason ideas I was exploring made the transition much easier than I expected
With the right approach and less pressure, children thrive. That's what guides my programme with families today.
About our home education journey
My approach
I'm a designer by training
With ten years’ experience in graphic design, I apply design thinking to home education, creating systems that work in real life.
Focus on environment and organisation
I worked as a home organiser before moving to the UK. I understand how physical spaces influence habits, regulation, and learning - and I love a great looking bookshelf!
Grounded educational principles
My work is informed by Montessori and Charlotte Mason approaches, particularly around habit formation, environment, and caring for the whole child.
A focus on wellbeing
I am a certified wellness coach, and currently completing a personal trainer qualification. I bring this wellness approach to my work - I support the adult at the centre of family life in staying well and grounded.
Certified in meal planning
My professional training in menu planning and meal prep can help you get the very basics in place (that is, getting real food on the table without constant stress!)
Charlotte Mason
“Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life”
