What does comfort feel like to a mom with young children? Imagine a space where her children can be safely nurtured and educated while she drinks some delicious chai tea and chats with like-minded moms or enjoys a massage or a facial. Lorraine Searle’s unique spa offers all of this and more.
Lorraine’s background covers 360-degrees of understanding the needs of women and children. She began her career in nursing and midwifery, and when it was time to look for educational choices for her own children, she discovered Montessori. Soon, she became a certified Montessori teacher herself and was fortunate to work at the same school her children attended. Her favorite quote of Maria Montessori is “Play is the work of the child.”
After moving to St. Augustine in 2007 with her husband – local obstetrician Tom Searle – Lorraine began to ruminate about her next chapter. “Opening Well Women 360,” she says, “was truly a dream come true and allowed me to put all my passions into one place.” The business, which began as a pregnancy education and health oasis, has organically evolved to fit more widespread needs of the community.
“I wanted to create a nurturing, educational environment,” says Lorraine, “which allows all women to come and feel comfortable and safe while giving their children an opportunity to interact and learn.” She loves bringing together the community of St. Augustine and encourages all moms and grandparents to just drop in for a visit.
The Montessori concept has become an integral aspect of the spa and offers a variety of weekly sessions for small children. These include Musical Munchkin Monday which engages children in music with dance and instruments. And then there’s Little Farmer Friday where toddlers can dig in the dirt and learn about planting and the cycles of nature.
While the children are learning and playing, moms can sit in the newly-opened Cultivate Tea and Spice Café and sip on some organic tea offered up by Jon Veniard (along with a helping of his knowledge about gardening, herbs, and cooking). The café serves coffee and organic loose-leaf teas and has kombucha on tap. You can also get something tasty for your little ones from the kid’s menu or a delicious light meal for yourself.
The spa will be expanding to a medical spa soon under the tutelage of Dr. Megan Casey, but for now, you can enjoy massage, facials, or a yoga session. The perfect venue to host a bridal or baby shower or a toddler birthday party, you can also book an event at Lorraine’s space.
Visit Well Women 360 online at www.wellwomen360.com. Photography by David Steele.
