Khelsi Price first went into foster care on her seventh birthday – a day she says she will never forget.
As a young child, she lived with two different foster carers during the first 12 months before moving to her forever home and into the care of special, long-term carers Jean and Taff.
Khelsi stayed with the couple until she moved out to live independently as a teenager and is now running a successful party entertainment business.
KP Kids, which started life as The Entertainment Eporium, launched seven years ago and Khelsi has been entertaining children with party games and tricks as well as making look-alike appearances as character favourites ever since.
The party industry was hit hard during the Covid-19 pandemic and Khelsi diversified her talents, offering virtual birthday parties via Zoom and TikTok, which proved popular with everyone.
Over the past few years, Khelsi has worked closely with the local authority’s children in care council, which is made up of children and young people in care, and she has given talks, highlighting her story with struggles and successes along the way.
She wants to inspire children who are in the same position she was in when she was a child and encourage them to “aim high”.
Khelsi, who is expecting her first child, said: “Without the support and dedication of Jean and Taff taking me here, there and everywhere to learn performance skills and showcase my talents, I would never be in the position I am today.
“I’ve travelled this country and many countries in the world, and have built up a loyal following of clients, who frequently rebook KP kids for their parties.
“Being in foster care can be such a positive experience for those children and young people who need it.
“I know I would never have had the opportunities I have without it.’ Khelsi’s party business is busy at evenings and weekends so she has joined Growing Minds Montessori Childcare as a nursery practitioner, providing care to pre school-aged children who are always entertained.
Next year, Khelsi will be moving towards more circus-based performances after perfecting fire dancing, aerial acrobatics and stilt walking at Barnton Circus in Northwich.
Tiny Treasures bring big adventures
As maternity leave approaches, Khelsi’s business skills are continuing to shine with the launch of Tiny Treasures, New Adventures – the product-based branch of KP Kids.
The natural, sensory development supplies like scented playdough and party favours are proving popular with customers as well as the bespoke invitation to play kits.
Khelsi said: “It is already a hit with the parents and carers at the Montessori nursery, where the inspiration to provide the products came from.
“The children love the table-scapes that I create as they really engage the senses.
“The fact that they are all natural, eco-friendly and in biodegradable packaging is something that’s rightly becoming more and more important to parents and carers, so our products are perfect for recreating these experiences at home.
“They make important links between home and the nursery setting and extend children’s play.”
Tiny Treasures, New Adventures products are available via KP Kids on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy as well as by visiting www.KPkidsparties.co.uk
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