Our Story – Nurtured Nest | A Program of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation
Nurtured Nest is the parent education program of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making expert parenting education accessible to every family.
🌱 A program of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

We're Parents, Just Like You

Real people who've navigated sleepless nights, endless questions, and that overwhelming feeling of "am I doing this right?" — and built something to make it easier for every family that comes next.

Our Story
↓
How It Started

A small idea, born from real struggle.

Nurtured Nest didn't start with a business plan. It started with a mom who couldn't find the answers she needed.

🌿 2019 — The Beginning

One Mom's "Aha" Moment

Kathryn Dunn founded Nurtured Nest in 2019 — not as a business strategist, but as a mom who had felt completely unprepared. Despite her background in education and curriculum development, becoming a parent left her drowning in conflicting information and wondering if she was doing everything wrong.

"I realized that instead of focusing on gadgets and gear, I should have been learning about my baby — her unique temperament, needs, and cues."

That insight became a mission: help parents focus on what truly matters. Not the noise, not the products — but understanding their children and trusting themselves.

Kathryn Dunn, founder of Nurtured Nest, with her daughter
🌧️ 2020 — The Hard Years

Six Months In, the World Changed

Just six months after launching, COVID-19 changed everything. Hospital classes disappeared overnight. Parents were navigating pregnancy and newborn life in near-total isolation. For a small, scrappy education program, finding footing during a global pandemic — when in-person connection was impossible — was genuinely hard.

"We kept going because we knew parents needed us more than ever. Isolation made the work feel more urgent, not less."

Those years shaped everything: the way we build courses, the empathy behind every lesson, and our conviction that accessible, quality education is not a luxury — it's a necessity.

Kathryn holding both girls
🌱

Something Bigger Was Taking Shape

Through the hard years, a bigger vision took shape — one that reached beyond what a single education company could sustainably carry. Nurtured Nest needed a long-term home and a mission built for access at scale. In 2026, it found that home.

Nurtured Nest is now the parent education program of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As the Foundation’s core education initiative, it’s positioned to grow through mission-aligned infrastructure and community partnerships—so more families can access expert-led parent education, regardless of income or circumstance.

🌱 Est. 2026 · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

The Nurture to Bloom Foundation

Founded in 2026 by Kathryn Dunn and Dr. Melinda Beavers, the Nurture to Bloom Foundation was built to connect the pieces that have always belonged together: healthcare, education, and early childhood support — working as one ecosystem for families.

The Foundation brings Nurtured Nest's parent education together with OB and pediatric care partners, childcare networks, and school communities. The goal isn't just better-informed parents — it's better outcomes for children, built on a foundation of real connection and trust.

🏥
Healthcare Connection
Partnering with OB and pediatric providers to meet families where healthcare already happens.
📚
Expert Education
Evidence-informed and reviewed regularly, on-demand courses designed by clinicians and certified educators who are parents too.
🏡
Community & Childcare
Building bridges between early childhood programs, schools, and the families they serve.
Kathryn Dunn and Dr. Melinda Beavers, founders of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation
Kathryn Dunn & Dr. Melinda Beavers Co-Founders, Nurture to Bloom Foundation
"

When I became a parent, despite my background in education and curriculum development, I found myself struggling to find clear, trustworthy guidance without drowning in the sea of information online. If I had known more about my baby — her body, her temperament, her needs, her cues — I would have known how to help her without feeling I was failing.

— Kathryn Dunn, Founder & Parent Educator
What We Stand For

Our Mission

To help families thrive by empowering parents with the knowledge to make the best choices for their children — from pregnancy and beyond.

🧠

Evidence-Informed, Always

No mom-blog myths or outdated advice. Everything we teach is backed by current research and best practices from healthcare professionals.

📚

More Than Childbirth

We support you through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond — because parenting doesn't end when you leave the hospital.

🎓

We Teach, You Lead

Instead of telling you what to do, we give you the knowledge to make informed decisions that work for your unique family.

💬

Educators Who've Been There

Our team includes healthcare professionals, certified educators, and most importantly — real parents who understand the journey.

Thousands of Families Reached
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
5+ yrs Serving Families
24/7 On-Demand Access
🌱 A program of the Nurture to Bloom Foundation · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Ready to Feel More Confident?

Join thousands of families who chose preparation over panic. Expert-led, on-demand, and built by people who believe every family deserves to feel ready.

Explore Our Courses → Meet Our Educators
✓
3,000+ families trained
✓
Serving UNC Rex–referred families
✓
501(c)(3) nonprofit
✓
May be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement