About Us

Rewilding Childhood, One Nature Adventure at a Time

On average, today’s children spend less than an hour outdoors each day. Yet time in nature has huge benefits for health, happiness, and learning. At Buttercup, we’re changing the story, helping families reconnect with the natural world through hands-on, nature-based learning.

We do that through a blend of digital and physical activities, created for modern families who want more time outside, more joyful learning, and more time for nature connection.

Meet Rachel – Founder, Mum, Educator, Nature-Lover

Hi, I’m Rachel Mills. I’m the founder of Buttercup Learning—and a mum, animator, educator, and lifelong advocate for curiosity and creativity.

I grew up exploring fields, hedgerows, and ponds, encouraged by parents who shared their love of nature. My mum trained in environmental science as part of her teacher qualification, and my dad was an amateur wildlife photographer. As a child, I learned confidence, independence, and calm through play and discovery outdoors.

Later, I studied visual communication and specialised in children’s illustration and animation. My nature-based animated films were recognised by BFI New Talent and opened the door to a career in children’s and adult TV.

I’ve taught in settings from primary to university, and in my role as a lecturer, I’ve worked with students on conservation briefs, sustainability campaigns, and animation projects that explore environmental themes.

Why I Started Buttercup

When I became a parent, my daughter’s fascination with the natural world reignited my own. But as I searched for educational tools to support her interests, I realised how limited the options were. Most phonics and early reader resources were narrative-based, not factual. Science felt like an add-on. Nature and sustainability were rarely included in early years readers.

And yet, the questions she asked—about bees, worms, trees, climate, and compost, were exactly the things I wanted her to explore.

My daughter is autistic with a PDA profile, and supporting her education has been one of the most important—and eye-opening—journeys of my life. Traditional classrooms haven’t always met her needs, and we’re currently working towards flexischooling to support her learning in ways that feel safe, sensory-aware, and interest-led.

Buttercup Learning grew out of that experience. I wanted to create accessible, flexible, eco-friendly resources that spark curiosity—without the pressure or overwhelm.

And so, Buttercup was born. It enables me to share my creativity with you, follow my heart, help protect the environment and spend more time with my daughter.

Our Mission and Values

At Buttercup Learning, we believe in the power of nature to calm, connect, and inspire. We want every child to experience the magic of discovery: spotting a beetle under a log, watching a pond plant bubble, or learning how trees share nutrients underground.

We’re here to support parents and educators—especially those home educating, unschooling, or navigating neurodivergent learning needs—with screen-light, low-prep tools that feel good to use and easy to fit into family life.

We’re raising a generation of planet protectors—one story, science spark and muddy adventure at a time.

Meet the Buttercup team

Everyone who works with Buttercup Learning has been carefully chosen for their creativity, skill, and passion for the environment.

Grace Spalding
Illustrator
Grace grew up in the countryside around Stratford-on-Avon and has an inherent love of nature and the outdoors. Having graduated with a first class degree in illustration, she originally worked with Buttercup as an intern before joining the team as a freelance creative. Grace has developed illustrations for books, our British wildlife themed boxes, our website and blog, as well as Buttercup’s e-learning platform. All of our beautiful augmented reality prints feature her stunning artwork and interactive animation and graphics.
India Foulkes
Illustrator
India creates the artwork for our free activity sheets, social media and blog visuals, and subscription box content. A university friend of Grace’s, India came highly recommended—and her Procreate skills, quirky character work, and nature-loving creativity have become a big part of the Buttercup aesthetic.
Rishal Patel
Podcast and video editor, P.A
Rishal manages our Curious About Nature podcast and supports day-to-day operations. With skills in editing, admin, and digital management, and a passion for eco-tourism and mental health, Rishal also shares his own story in Season 1 of the podcast.
Hester Heeler-Frood
Article Writer
Hester is a freelance writer and filmmaker who has supported us with blog articles and educational content in our first few years. Her passion for the natural world and belief in the power of storytelling to inspire change is a perfect fit for the Buttercup ethos.