Wow! We are celebrating being awarded 5 Star Franchisee Satisfaction for the 10th consecutive year!
This award is based on anonymous feedback from our franchisees. Its fantastic to know that they rate our franchise opportunity so highly. Founder Anne-Marie Martin, was extremely proud to collect our award at the annual British Franchise Association conference last Thursday, making our celebrations for 20 years of diddi dance even more special.
We are thrilled to announce we have made it as finalists in TWO categories in the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2023!
Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance is finalist for Diversity & Inclusion Champion, and Kirsty Barker of diddi dance Central & North Liverpool & South Knowsley is finalist in the Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity.
These prestigious awards for children’s activities are the longest running in the industry with headline sponsor by Morton Michel.
Congratulations to all of our fellow finalists, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the awards evening in November!
Thanks to all that voted and wish us luck 
We are so proud to have been awarded the 5-star franchisee satisfaction for the 10th consecutive award!
Based on anonymous feedback from our franchisees, it is fantastic to know that they rate our franchise opportunity so highly and are satisfied with their decision to be part of our network.
To achieve this we are measured on:
♦ Training and support
♦ Franchise system
♦ Culture & relationships
♦ Leadership
♦ Overall satisfaction
Thank you so much to our diddi dance crew for your time and we really do appreciate your feedback 
Would you like to find out more about joining our network, and why our franchisees are so satisfied with being part of the diddi dance crew?
Contact us today to register for our next open day on Wednesday 4th October to find out more and begin your diddi dance journey.
Last weekend was our diddi dance annual conference, and wow did we have the best time 🙌
Coming together, to learn, share knowledge, have fun and of course DANCE (check out our social media stories) and we celebrated our 20th year!
A huge thanks to our fabulous guest speaker Jen Chapman-Boffin and to all of our wonderful Franchisees for making the conference and diddi dance what it is 💚💙💗
Could YOU be part of the diddi dance crew? Want to be at our conference next year? Here’s what we got up to this year.
Join our next open day on Wednesday 26th July to find out more. Register your interest here with Donna, our Franchise Recruitment Manager or to find out more information visit our franchise page.
Debutante:
Runner up – Sophie Barnard, diddi dance Winchester
WINNER – Jo Sikking, diddi dance Woodford & Walthamstow
Developer: Naomi Sumner, diddi dance Stockport
Diva:
Runner up – Laura Makinson, diddi dance Cheshire East & West
WINNER – Bethany Bianga, diddi dance Reading
EN POINT TEACHER Charlotte Leigh-Dowbiggin
Doer: 1ST WINNER – Charlotte Burgess, diddi dance Shropshire
2ND WINNER – Kristina Jones, diddi dance North East Wales
Discusser:
Runner up – Josie Ward, diddi dance Torbay & Exeter
WINNER – Suzie Harley, diddi dance Wirral & South Liverpool
Deliverer:
Runner up – Liz and Rachael, diddi dance Plymouth
WINNER – Kirsty Barker, diddi dance Central & North Liverpool
Driver:
Runner up – Dani Meighen, diddi dance Sunderland
WINNER – Cos Menezes, diddi danec Enfield, Potters Bar & Cheshunt
Dude:
Runner up – Suzie Harley, diddi dance Wirral & South Liverpool
WINNER – Jane Mitchell, diddi dance Bexley & Dartford
Dame: Gina Kane, diddi dance West London
Yesterday we attended the Disruptive Franchise Awards at The Oxfordshire Golf, Hotel & Spa, where thanks to so many of your votes we were awarded the ‘Best Online Presence’ award sponsored by Charlie Day Sales
We had had a fabulous day with Kristina Jones of diddi dance North East Wales who was finalist in the ‘Most Disruptive Franchisee’ category.
Of course there was time for a celebratory Tik Tok with original diddi dancer Anne-Marie 
As always, thank you for your continued support 
Exciting news 
We are so proud to have six nominations in the prestigious What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2023.
The What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards awards are now in their 17th year . and are the most prestigious and longest running awards for the sector.
diddi dance are nominated for the Judged category ‘ Diversity & Inclusion Champion’ and we have five nominations that need YOUR VOTES:
💙Dani Meighen of diddi dance Sunderland – Most loved Activity Leader or business manager – North England
💚Kirsty Barker of diddi dance Central & North Liverpool & South Knowsley – Most Loved Music, Dance or performing arts Activity- Franchise or License territory.
💗Jane Mitchell of diddi dance Bexley & Dartford diddi dance Bexley & Dartford – Most Loved Music, Dance or performing arts Activity- Franchise or License territory.
💙Kristina Jones of diddi dance Wrexham– Most Loved Music, Dance or performing arts Activity- Franchise or License territory.
💚Cara Mitchell from diddi dance Bexley & Dartford – Most loved Activity Leader or business manager – South East England
Voting will close on 24th July at 12 noon.
Thank you for your continued support 🤩
diddi dance franchisee Charlotte who runs diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford recently became fully accredited by the Children’s Activity Association. To read all about her recent achievement just click here.
Because of this success, we at diddi dance wanted to take the time to tell you all about Charlotte and diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford:
How long have you been with diddi dance?
I started dancing with diddi dance in 2017 and bought the franchise in 2019.
What did you do before joining diddi dance?
I worked in an office for an online retailer which sold… men’s underwear!
What do you love most about diddi dance and running your own business?
I love meeting new families and seeing little ones exploring all our fun dance moves.
What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of diddi dance?
Being part of a franchise network and meeting so many likeminded women has been the best thing about becoming a diddi dance franchisee. The joint festivals and fairs I have done with other local business owners have all been amazing!
What has been a highlight for you since taking on your diddi dance?
The 2022 annual AGM has been my personal highlight. As I took on my franchise not long before the first lock down, I had to wait nearly three years before going to diddi HQ and meeting lots of the franchisees. I also won the ‘diddi diva’ franchisee award for biggest growth – it felt great to know my business was bouncing back after covid.
What is something you are looking forward to as you continue with your diddi dance franchise?
Growing my territory and getting more of Shropshire diddi dancing!
What do you enjoy most about your diddi dance?
Working in an industry that I feel so passionate about is amazing. Dancing with children and their families never feels like work!
What do you enjoy most about being your own Boss?
The flexibility which means I can be there for school pick ups and other events.
What does the CAA accreditation mean to you?
I am so proud to have been independently accredited to give parent’s peace of mind that we have professional policies and procedures in place to keep children safe and happy at diddi dance (as well as having lots of fun in class!). For me this is a really important achievement ensuring that I am providing the best service I can for families.
And finally, what is your favourite diddi dance theme and why?
My favourite theme is Bollywood! I love seeing the diddi dancers grow in confidence to make their flower line together and the moves are really fun to explore in class.
diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford currently has multiple classes running across their exclusive area. Contact Charlotte directly if you’d like to attend a class:
Mondays:
Darwin Community Centre, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JS
Tuesdays:
9.45am Panda-monium Play Centre, Horsehay, Telford, TF4 3EE
1.30pm Hollinswood Community Centre, 7 Downemead, Hollinswood, Telford, TF3 2EW
Wednesdays:
1.30pm The Victoria Hall, Broseley, TF12 5EX
Thursdays:
9.45am @ Wem Town Hall, High Street, Wem, SY4 5DG
11am @ Medieval Madness, J & K Vanguard Way, Shrewsbury, SY1 3TG
Fridays:
9.30am @ St John’s Church Hall, Dawley Road, Telford, TF4 2PD
9.30am and 10.30am @ Mereside Community Centre, Mereside, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LH
Saturdays:
9.30am @ Bicton Village Hall, Church Lane, Shrewsbury, SY3 8ET
The team at diddi dance, the brand behind the much loved preschool dance classes, are extremely proud to announce their franchise diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Teford has achieved Gold accreditation from the Children’s Activities Association (CAA). The CAA is the only not-for-profit, industry-led association to set and raise standards in all organised children’s activities across the UK and this achievement clearly showcases the team at diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford’s passion for excellence.
Set-up by leading industry experts in 2015, including diddi dance Founder Anne-Marie Martin, the establishment of the CAA (a Community Interest Company) has revolutionised the children’s activities sector. After Anne-Marie completed the accreditation process for diddi dance in 2016, she decided to offer the same accreditation to each diddi dance Franchise. This past month Anne-Marie & diddi dance were thrilled to personally accredit franchisee Charlotte Burgess and her franchise diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford.
Over 200,000 children a week now attend a CAA member activity and it is a truly fantastic endorsement for diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford to be part of this ground-breaking national initiative. Charlotte’s commitment to achieving Gold for her franchise shows her dedication to demonstrate to her industry peers and her fellow diddi dance franchisees that she excels at what she does as well as giving her parents the reassurance they deserve when selecting the best classes for their little ones.
Charlotte took over diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford in October 2019 and now runs numerous classes in the area, and is working really hard to make it into one of the most recognisable diddi dance brands in the nation. Becoming a Gold accredited member of the CAA is the latest achievement in the brand’s success story supporting dancing toddlers weekly.
It is staggering to learn that before the CAA, there was no national, independent association in the UK for the children’s activity sector as a whole. Through the development of the CAA Code of Practice and via their thorough accreditation, for the first time, parents can now easily make simple, informed decisions when choosing from the wealth of children’s activities out there. Just by asking whether the provider is a CAA member, a parent or carer can get reassurance on important issues such as insurance, health and safety, criminal record checks, training, qualifications, class content and much more.
As one parent said regarding the CAA –
With so many clubs and classes to choose from it’s so hard to know which are the best and what I should be asking when I leave my children in the care of a class leader. In the past I just wrongly assumed kids’ activities must have to be regulated. Knowing that the CAA has asked those important questions to help keep my child safe is fantastic – so now I just look for their logo!”
Having achieved Gold CAA accreditation means that diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford has been independently verified as having met or exceeded all the necessary elements of the CAA Code of Practice. This accomplishment offers parents peace of mind when selecting an activity from the myriad of providers out there.
Anne-Marie, commented on the accreditation process and Charlotte’s success:
In an unregulated industry, we pride ourselves on delivering sessions of the highest standard and accreditation from the CAA gives parents peace of mind. Charlotte is an outstanding member of the diddi dance crew and that’s why she’s gold accredited
Adding to this Charlotte of diddi dance Shrewsbury & South Telford said:
I am so proud to have been independently accredited to give parent’s peace of mind that we have professional policies and procedures in place to keep children safe and happy at diddi dance (as well as having lots of fun in class!). For me this is a really important achievement ensuring that I am providing the best service I can for families
Last week we were delighted to celebrate our 6th consecutive year in the Elite Franchise Top 100 at the Tower Hotel, soaking up the fabulous views of London including Tower Bridge. The EF100 recognises and celebrates the industry’s leading franchises. We are so proud to have made it for another year.
Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, who also runs diddi dance Royal Borough of Greenwich & Lewisham, and Jane Mitchell of diddi dance Bexley & Dartford caught up with so many wonderful friends and colleagues in the Franchising world, and diddi dance were nominated in the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ category. It was a fantastic evening.
