Discovery Playtime was founded in 2017 by Mireia Lopez, a passionate educator with a strong background in child development. Mireia holds a degree in Primary School teaching, a Master's degree in Educational Psychology, a QQI6 Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills, and a QQI6 in Trining and Evaluation. She is also a qualified children's entertainer and Spanish teacher. Her personal experiences as a mother of two reinforced her belief that play is essential to a child's growth and development, not merely a luxury.
Mireia’s entrepreneurial journey into play-based education began when she started running workshops for babies, toddlers, and children with autism, with a focus on learning through play. These workshops allowed children to develop basic life skills in a fun and supportive environment while giving parents the chance to bond with their kids and connect with others.
Drawing on her extensive educational background, Mireia built Discovery Playtime around the philosophy that play is a powerful tool for learning, and she continues to advocate for this through her toy shop, events, camps, training programs, and the Rediscovering Childhood Podcast.