For hairdresser Catherine O’Keefe, making sure children with special needs feel safe at her Greystanes salon is what’s most important – even if it means giving a trim on the swing set.
For 10 years, Ms O’Keefe has helped create a safe environment for children with special needs at her underwater-themed hair salon, Spiky-Tales Hairdressing for Kids.
With two salons side by side, one for adults and one for kids, Ms O’Keefe prides herself on creating a business that caters for the entire family.
“I wanted something unique, I didn’t want something that every hairdresser has,” she said.
And unique it is. Unlike other hairdressers, children with sensory issues are encouraged to roam around the salon and play with toys to help them become more familiar with the space.
“I tell [parents that the kids are] not going to have a cape on them so bring them a change of clothes, bring them something they’re familiar with and bring them a bit earlier so they can have a bit of a play and get used to the place. Then I’ll come down and introduce myself,” Ms O’Keefe said.
Even when kids don’t have an appointment scheduled, Ms O’Keefe tells parents they can bring them in.
“If you want to get them used to the place, come and let [the kids] have a play, have a coffee, let them see us and let them see that we’re not hurting anybody,” she said.
Knowing her special needs clients feel safe at her salon is something Ms O’Keefe said she is “quite proud of,” especially when she hears how they’ve been treated at other salons.
“I hear the mothers say to me ‘I’ve been kicked out of salons because the kids scream’. And they’re made to feel bad and like worthless parents because they can’t control their kid,” she said
Not only does the team at Spiky-Tales Hairdressing for Kids want children to feel safe, they also want them to be able to have fun as well.
“I’ve got a boat chair and a mermaid chair, and if they don’t want to sit in those I’ve got a portable Wiggles car, or I’ve got one that’s a motorbike,” Ms O’Keefe said.
“If they don’t even want to be in the salon that’s fine, I’ve got portable clippers so I’ll go out on the swings and do it outside.”
Ms O’Keefe credits being a mother for wanting to create a unique hair salon that welcomes children of all ages and abilities and makes them feel comfortable for what can be a daunting experience.
“I have two kids, the shop is actually in the middle of a park so their friends come down, they play soccer, and it’s a safe place for my kids as well as their mates,” she said.
“Everyone is welcome, and everyone is safe too.”
To find out more about Spiky-Tales Hairdressing for Kids go to catherinescuttingit.com/spiky-tales-hair-for-kids.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.