FUTURE IS CHILD’S PLAY
Daily Express, Monday 13th April 2009


IN THESE tough financial times people are curbing their spending, but when it comes to their children, it seems they are not prepared to compromise. As many franchisees in the child care sector of franchising are reporting, business is booming.

The sector encompasses a broad range of franchises, from gym classes and sports coaching, to music classes and drama schools.

Little Kickers has been running football coaching classes for preschool children aged between 18 months and six years since 2002.

The aim is to use football as a fun way of helping children develop confidence and social skills, and encouraging them to enjoy being active. The first franchise opened in 2004, and today there are 93 franchises in the UK, with a growing number being launched overseas.

Founder Christine Stanschus said: “Our franchisees have been very busy and we are continuing to attract a lot of interest from prospective franchisees. Traditionally these have been mums with families who are looking to get back to having a career, but in the last few months we had more enquiries from men, including ex City workers, many of who have been made redundant or who are simply reassessing their lives and looking for a more fulfilling and rewarding way of work.”

Business is also holding up well at Jo Jingles, a provider of interactive music, singing and movement classes with an educational slant for babies and children aged from six months to five years.

Established in 1991, the first franchise was launched four years later, and more than a hundred now operating throughout the UK. Classes are busy, and the number of applications to join the Jo Jingles franchise network has been rising in recent months.

A spokesperson for Jo Jingles said: “The number of people being made redundant has had an impact on our enquiry figures, but people are taking their time, doing their research and not rushing into any decisions.

“This is a hugely rewarding franchise, open to people from a whole range of career backgrounds. A good singing voice is an advantage, but our ideal candidates are those with good communication skills and a genuine interest in children’s development.”

Key Jo Jingles franchise areas still available include central London, Reading, Basingstoke, Brighton and the West Sussex area.

Information

Little Kickers 01235 859 250 www.littlekickers.co.uk
Jo Jingles 01494 778989 www.jojingles.com

 

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