Kinder Collective is an award-winning, consciously curated children’s retail concept, rooted in values of kindness, quality and community. Every item is handpicked to celebrate play, encourage imagination, or simply bring joy to the pursuit of a more sustainable way of family life. As part of their sustainable approach, founders Rebecca Gonsalves and Francesca Fox have grown the business steadily since opening their first store in October 2023.
In April, they moved to a larger Broadstairs location and relaunched the website to support their growing nationwide customer base. Whether in the new sunshine store by the sea or online, Kinder Collective is a go-to for both preloved and responsibly made independent kidswear, indoor and outdoor toys, a wide selection of books, board games, homeware and gifts for newborn to nine years, plus a growing edit of new parent gifts.
The founders have worked hard to curate a compelling brand mix while staying true to their values, stocking names including Liewood, Banwood, Djeco, Miffy, Rockahula Kids, Nailmatic, OMY, The ZooFamily, Yoto, SunnyLife, Bon Ton Toys, Mr Maria, Ratatam, Sophie Home, Oli & Carol, SleepyDoe, ThreadBear, Lune Club, Suntribe, and Etta Loves. Smaller brands include Dinky Circus, The Design Dealership and Double Denim Kids, as well as Pelegrims, LSW London and Mum Bub Hub for new mums.
That thoughtful curation extends to the store itself, a serene space brought to life with colourful details including hand-painted murals and a bespoke hopscotch floor vinyl. Large windows flood the shop with natural light, showcasing visual branding by illustrator Sarah Matthews, while the sunshine-painted exterior helps the shop stand out from afar.
A cosy Book Nook and Craft Corner adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
This area provides a setting for free weekly storytime sessions and has become a comfortable spot for nursing mothers, too. In the school holidays, the business offers a wider range of in-store and community events for children, including author storytime, crafts, beach cleans and hands-on workshops with local creatives. It also shares a popular weekly guide to ‘what’s on’ for families on Instagram, with bumper editions before the school holidays.
Beyond Kinder Collective, Gonsalves and Fox are the founders of Independent Broadstairs, an initiative that spotlights the wealth of indie businesses in the town and fosters knowledge sharing and community. The duo has implemented two seasonal kick-off events – Summer Starts Here and late-night Christmas shopping.
Following the website relaunch, coupled with the new location, Gonsalves and Fox are now able to bring their offering to even more customers. The aim is that the expansion will allow them to take the business to the next stage, with ambitions including bringing on more brands that align with their values, hiring staff, and potentially opening a second location in the future.
16 York Street, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1PB
www.kindercollective.co.uk