Our Team
Nicole Butterfield
Nicole, founder and owner of Little Otters Play Café, lives in Washougal with her husband, Brady, and they have three grown sons. High school sweethearts, Nicole and Brady spent 20 wonderful years raising their family in Farmington, Utah, a small town with the same friendly, close-knit feel they love about Camas and Washougal.
Nicole has spent her life working with children and families. She began her career in service through AmeriCorps, supporting kids in elementary schools and after-school programs. As a young mom herself, she quickly discovered the joy of connecting with other parents and creating opportunities for kids to explore, learn, and play together. Whether organizing playgroups, planning community activities, or volunteering in schools, Nicole has always had a heart for helping families feel supported and connected.
After earning her degree in Art Education with a Special Education certification, Nicole taught art and later special education at both the elementary and secondary levels. Her time in the classroom allowed her to become deeply involved with local communities, building relationships with families, collaborating with teachers, and supporting children of all abilities. Those experiences deepened her understanding of how children learn, grow, and thrive when given the space to be creative, curious, and confident.
Little Otters Play Café was born from that same love. Nicole wanted to create a space where parents could take a breath, enjoy a cup of coffee, and know their little ones were playing safely, learning, and making friends. A place that felt like an extension of home; bright, welcoming, and filled with laughter.
Today, Little Otters is a reflection of Nicole’s lifelong passion for nurturing community and childhood wonder. It’s a space designed for connection, where kids can explore, parents can relax, and families can feel right at home.
Kiera Christie
Kiera lives in Washougal with her husband, Brandon, and son, Salem in Washougal. They have lived all across the country, but Washington is home. Kiera and Brandon met during their first semester of college and have been together ever since. Salem is the light of their lives and made their little family complete.
Kiera has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages. She started out as a Summer camp counselor, then moved on to provide childcare at the YMCA as well as becoming a nanny. Later on, she became a program leader at a non profit after school program which brought with it a lot of hands on classroom experience.
Kiera loves meeting other families within the community and is excited to have the opportunity to get to know you and your little ones.
Isla Gaston
Isla is currently a freshman studying finance at Washington State University Vancouver. She was raised in Camas and spent much of her childhood running around Klickitat Park.
For the past two years, Isla has worked at Fisher Investments as an Industry Research Junior Associate. She enjoys diving into the industry, getting to know clients, and learning more about the world of finance.
Isla joined Little Otters in the early days because she’s practically family. She hopes to gain community service and volunteer experience while learning the ins and outs of a startup business. She’s truly enjoyed working with the children and getting to know and support the parents as well. We’re so lucky to have Isla as part of the Little Otters team!
Marigrace Williams
Marigrace Williams is the owner and director of Cornerstone Music, located on 192nd in Camas. She is passionate about building a welcoming, community-focused studio where students of all ages can grow in skill, confidence, and creativity.
Her goal is to provide high-quality music education in an environment where families feel supported and students feel celebrated. Over the years, she has expanded Cornerstone Music into multiple locations and created a wide range of learning opportunities, including private lessons, group classes, seasonal concerts, and community events.
Marigrace has a special passion for working with young children, especially at Little Otters Play Cafe. Teaching toddlers and finding joy in their curiosity, imagination, and eagerness to learn has always held a special place in her heart, made even more meaningful now that she is a mom herself. Marigrace loves creating playful, music-filled environments where children can explore rhythm, sound, and self-expression, often turning simple moments into meaningful milestones. With patience, creativity, and a warm approach, she delights in nurturing confidence and sparking early musical excitement in even the youngest learners.