diddi dance

Podcast with MyBump2Baby

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Have a listen to Anne-Marie on a podcast with MyBump2Baby.

MyBump2Baby is an expert podcast, bringing experts all over the UK to answer your questions on everything pregnancy to preschool.

In this episode, have a listen to Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, where she talks about baby dance and dancing for toddlers. the benefits of baby and toddler dance classes, when your baby should start dance classes, setting happy habits with your baby through dance, the benefits of dance classes for parents, the mental health benefits of dancing and about dancing with your babies at home with homemade props.

You can have a listen here. We hope you enjoy it.

 

#themovingmission

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“We simply need to move more during the day, throughout the day, every day. I believe we should stop talk about exercise altogether and start thinking instead about movement” David Higgins, Personal Trainer to the Stars.

We want children to be physically active for life and this year we bring you #themovingmission 💚💗💙

Anne-Marie says “Setting healthy habits in children before the age of 5, is so important to how movement is viewed throughout life. Physical activity releases endorphins creating positive emotions and feelings which promote emotional and mental health as well as the obvious health and fitness benefits. It can help relieve stress and enforce body positivity. Activities in the early years are key and by encouraging both genders in non-competitive activities can help with their confidence and social skills.

Being physically active should be fun, something to enjoy and look forward to rather than too disciplined and intimidating. Positively encouraging children to be active will impact their views and behaviours into school and even adult life. My passion lies in dancing although we want to encourage all forms of physical activity with #themovingmission. diddi dance sessions are all-inclusive which we believe promotes acceptance of diversity and all abilities.”

Will you join us in the #themovingmission and encourage a love of moving that will last a lifetime?

Meet our newest franchisees

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We are absolutely thrilled to have had a number of new franchisees join our network here at diddi dance over the last few months. Meet them here to see where they are running fun packed classes, maybe they are local to you? If you’d like to join one of their classes, please contact them below or complete an enquiry form to book a trial here

Josie Ward – Torbay, Central Exeter and Surrounding

“My name is Josie Ward and I am the owner of diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter and surrounding areas. I started dancing at the age of 2 years and have never stopped! I have previously worked as a dancer/entertainer across the U.K, mainly at holiday parks- performing in shows and running daytime and evening children’s entertainment. I have recently completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator course at South Devon college whilst working as a Nursery Nurse within Torquay. Having gained all my experience, I really have found a gap in the market for diddi dance in Torbay/Exeter which really benefit children’s physical and social development, whilst in a fun, relaxed environment. I am so excited to meet and dance with you all.”

Charlotte Burgess – Shrewsbury & South Telford

“I started my diddi dance journey teaching classes in 2017 and am now excited to be bringing more classes to Shrewsbury and South Telford as a franchisee. I keep very busy in my spare time with my three children who love practicing different dance routines with me at home, especially all the cool moves from diddi dance Hip Hop!”

 

 

Kristina Jones – Wrexham, Owestry, Whitchurch & Malpas

“Having danced since a young age I always wanted to be a dance teacher, and luckily for me a local job opportunity lead me to diddi dance! I love our classes and cant wait to share my passion for dance with as many people as possible through diddi dance sessions! Whether you’re young or old, what can beat a boogie?!”

 

 

 

Natalie Battista – South Manchester, North of Cheshire East & Macclesfield

“Hi my name is Natalie and I run diddi dance South Manchester, after the opportunity came up to take over at the end of 2019 having been a diddi dance teacher in the area since 2014.
I have been dancing my whole life along with acting and singing and started my career early as one of Ken Dodd’s Diddymen touring theatres throughout the UK as a child. I spent part of my adult life working as a professional dancer in family shows abroad and entertaining children of all ages throughout the day. I then went onto dance and sing in tribute shows touring the UK. I also do modelling and have had small TV roles as well.
I now have 2 beautiful children, who have also been diddi dancers and I wanted to carry on with my love of dancing so this lead me to teaching for diddi dance which I thoroughly enjoy, so running it was the perfect next step.
I look forward to meeting and dancing with you all xxx”

 

 

 

 

 

diddi dance becomes a hero partner for CAW2020

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diddi dance are excited to announce that we have officially become a hero partner for Children’s Activity Week 2020.

Children’s Activity Week will take place next summer from 8th-13th June 2020 to fundraise for Caudwell Children.

Its also a chance for us to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of activities, clubs and classes running across the UK, benefiting both parents and children, from babies to primary school age. The variety of activities highlight the many health, well-being, social and educational benefits for the whole family.

Along with the inspiring and dedicated people, companies and experts that provide these amazing activities, everyone takes part in a whole week of fun and fundraising to change the lives of children with autism and continues to raise standards across all children’s activities.

The theme in 2019 was ‘Watch Me Fly’ and raised a staggering £139,000.

The launch event takes place in February so look out for more information, and we hope you’ll be able to join us in one of our classes during the week to celebrate.

diddi dance founder Anne-Marie Martin wins big at the National What’s On 4 Awards 2019

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The winners of the National What’s On 4 Awards for the Children’s Activities Sector with Morton Michel were announced at a special awards ceremony last Friday. We are absolutely thrilled and proud to announce that our very own founder of diddi dance Anne-Marie Martin, was presented with the highest honour of The Lifetime Achievement Award.

What’s on 4 said “Anne-Marie’s devotion and passion for the industry is awe-inspiring and relentless. We can’t think of a better name to add to the Lifetime Achievement hall of fame for children’s activities.”

As with the other What’s On 4 awards, The Lifetime Achievement award isn’t voted for by customers which means that Anne-Marie’s achievements over nearly 17 years have been recognised by industry leaders as truly exceptional and worthy of bestowing this most prestigious award.

These pioneering awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the UK’s best children’s clubs and classes, along with leaders, volunteers and party providers for children – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.

Over the last decade, the What’s On 4 Kids Awards have become established as the industry accolade with hundreds of exceptional businesses and individuals in the flourishing sector keen to be part of the action and be in with a chance to be revealed as a finalist or winner!

Anne-Marie said “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to have been recognised for my work with diddi dance, in receiving The Lifetime Achievement award from What’s On 4 and to join such prestigious previous winners of this award is indeed a privilege.”

Now in its 13th year, this National awards programme welcomes the return of headline sponsor Morton Michel and supporters STA and ClassBiz alongside ceremony hosts, NatWest. Parents and carers logged on to What’s On 4 Kids to cast a massive 80,000 nominations and votes to ensure that their ‘most-loved’ were in the running.

What’s On 4 Kids Managing Director, Sam Willoughby, concluded

‘Each and every year it’s a pleasure to welcome back so many activities, keen to be part of these National awards once again but it’s also so exciting to see the new nominees from this thriving sector being showcased for the first time. We know from parents’ testimonials how clubs, classes and individual leaders have such a positive impact on the lives of their children and it’s an honour therefore to publicly recognise and celebrate these activity providers in this way. Huge thank you to NatWest, Morton Michel and all our sponsors and supporters as well as the thousands of parent voters for being such a massive part of the What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2019’.
Previous winners of The Lifetime Achievement Award were Steve Franks (Water Babies) in 2017 and Kathy Doolan (Rhythm Time) in 2018.

Whats On 4 Awards 

diddi dance receives 5 Star Franchisee Satisfaction rating

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diddi dance has received the results of its Franchise Satisfaction Survey conducted with Work Buzz. This is to ensure that we can continue to build upon the work we do with our franchise network and to improve the service we provide to our franchisees.

For the 6th year running, diddi dance is extremely proud to have been awarded the 5 Star Satisfaction Award from the survey, with an overall satisfaction score achieved of 85%.

Work Buzz describe the survey objective,

“to identify and understand how the franchise is performing through the eyes of its franchisees. This survey covers the critical areas of training and support, products and services, marketing, franchisee-franchisor relations, leadership and rewards.”

Just some of the feedback we received about our diddi dance franchise from our current franchisees includes:

“Always very supportive. Always available to help at any time.”

“The branding is incredible and the new marketing is very innovative.”

“A great support system.”

“An excellent leadership team.”

Top franchisors, based on the feedback, are then shortlisted for the Best Franchise Awards 

To be part of our award-winning franchise network please get in touch today!

Summer classes

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We have a number of classes taking place throughout the summer with our Reggae theme. Take a look below to see what is running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join in the summer fun.

 

diddi dance Lancaster, Preston & Kendal:

  • Monday 29th July @ 10:30am  – Galloway’s, Penwortham, Galloway’s, Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham PR1 0LS
  • Friday 2nd August @ 9:30am – Galloway Hall, Fulwood, Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood PR2 3BS
  • Friday 2nd August @ 11am – Lancaster Leisure Park, Lancaster Leisure Park, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster LA1 3LA

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Mondays 5th & 12th August @10am – St Oswalds Church, Main Street, Fulford, YO31 4HJ
  • Thursdays 25th July, 1st August & 8th August @ 10am – Spearehead Hall, St Mary’s Parish Church, Church Road, Strensall, YO32 5UN

diddi dance Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield & North Walsall:

  • Monday 22nd & 29th  July @ 9.45am – Mere Green Community Centre, B75 5BT
  • Tuesdays 23rd July & 30th July @ 9:45am – Avon Centre, WS11 1LH
  • Thursdays 25th July & 8th August @ 9:45am – Pelsall Village Centre, WS4 3LX
  • Thursdays 1st August & 15th August @ 9:45am – Oak Park Active Living Centre, WS9 9BH
  • Saturdays 3rd August & 10th August @ 10am – Pelsall Village Centre, WS3 4LX
  • Saturday 3rd August @ 9:45am – Little Aston Village Hall, B734 3UF

diddi dance Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire & Stafford:

  • Fridays 26th July, 2nd & 9th August (3 weeks) @ 9.45am – The Red House Albrighton WV7 3LU, £5 per child
  • Mondays 29th July & 5th August (2 weeks) @ 10am – Bilston Methodist Church WV14 7NB, £5 per child
  • Mondays 29th July & 5th August (2weeks) @ 10.15am – Stafford Rangers Football Club ST16 3BX, £5 per child
  • Tuesdays 30th July & 6th August (2 weeks) @ 10.15am – Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton WV1 4AN, £5 per child
  • Thursdays 1st & 8th August (2weeks) @ 10.15am – Landywood Children’s Centre, Great Wyrley WS6 6AQ, £5 per child
  • Saturday 3rd August (1 week only!) – Newbridge Preparatory School, Tettenhall WV6 0LH, £5 per child

diddi dance Reading & Wokingham:

  • Wednesday 24th July @ 10am – St Barnabas Church Hall, Elm Road, Earley, Reading, RG6 5TS
    Thursday 25th July @ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre, 35 Reading Road, Wokingham, RG41 1EG
    Monday 29th July @ 10am – Emmanuel Church Centre, Southlake Crescent, Woodley, RG5 3QW
    Tuesday 30th July @ 10am – Lord Harris Court*, Mole Road, Sindlesham, RG41 5EA
    Thursday 8th August@ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre
    Friday 9th August @ 10am – YMCA (Sports Hall), 34 Parkside Road, Reading, RG30 2DD
    Wednesday 21st August @ 10am – St Barnabas Church Hall, Earley
    Thursday 22nd August @ 10am – Wokingham Youth & Community Centre
    Tuesday 27th August @ 10am – Lord Harris Court*, Sindlesham,
    *Inter-generational class in a residential care home

diddi dance Harrow & North Hillingdon:

  • Monday 29th July and 5th August @ 9:45am – Pinner Methodist Church, Love Lane, HA5 3EE
    Wednesday 31st July & 7th August @ 9:45am, South Ruislip Community Centre, Deane Park Hall, Long Drive , HA4 0HS
    Friday 2nd August & 9th August @ 10:00am – Bernays Memorial Hall,25 The Broadway, Stanmore ,HA7 4DA

diddi dance North London:

Classes running between 5th -23rd August

  • Mondays @ 10am & 11am – Artsdepot, North Finchley, 5 Nether Street, N12 0GA
  • Monday 12th and 19th August @ 10am – West Reservoir Centre, Stoke Newington, Green Lanes, N4 2HA
  • Tuesdays @ 10am – Lift Youths Hub, Angel, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW
  • Tuesdays @ 10am – Crouch End Picturehouse, Crouch End, 165 Tottenham Lane, N8 9BY
  • Fridays @ 10.30am – Huggle, Swiss Cottage, 8-10 Winchester Road, NW3 3NT

diddi dance London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames:

  • Wednesday 7th, 14th & 21st August @ 9:45 – Crane Community Centre Twickenham TW2 6NH
  • Thursday 8th ,15th & 22nd August @ 10am – St Johns Centre Isleworth TW7 6RU
  • Friday 9th ,16th & 23rd August @ 10am Bright Horizons Nursery North Sheen TW9 1XS

diddi dance Bexley & Dartford:

  • Wednesday 24th July @ 10am – Bexley Cricket Club DA5 3QG
  • Wednesday 31st July, 14th August & 28th August @10am – New Eltham SE9 3UL

diddi dance South East London:
Classes running between Monday 22nd July to Friday 6th September:

  • Mondays @ 10am – Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, London SE3 7SE (no class on 26th August bank holiday)
  • Tuesdays @10am – Greenwich West, Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8JA
  • Wednesdays @ 10am – Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, London SE3 7SE
  • Thursdays @ 10am – Good Shepherd Church, Handen Road, London SE12 8NR
  • Fridays @ 10am – Under 1 Roof, Skeffington Street, London SE18 6SR

diddi dance Plymouth & Surrounding

  • Monday 22 July, 29 July, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug @ 9.45am – Woolwell Centre, Darklake Lane, Plymouth PL6 7T
  • Monday 22 July, 29 July, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug @9.45am – Pomphlett Church, Pomphlett Road, Plymstock PL9 7BL
  • Tuesday 23 July, 30 July, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug @ 9.45am Trinity Church, Torr Lane, Plymouth PL3 3NY
  • Wednesday 24 July, 31 July, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug @ 9.45am – Hemerdon Village Hall, 1 Southview, Hemerdon, Nr Plympton PL7 5BU
  • Friday 26 July, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug @ 9.45am – Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 9DA
  • Friday 26 July, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug @ 9.45am – Ivybridge Scout Hut, St Leonards Road, Ivybridge PL21 0SL
    Saturday 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug @ 9.30am – Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 9DA

 


Children’s Activities Week – 13-17th May 2019

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UK children join TV stars Dick & Dom and take on diddi dance’s Watch Me Fly Challenge as part of national fundraising campaign for autism in Children’s Activities Week

Groups of enthusiastic children all across the UK are set to take on a sponsored Watch Me Fly dance challenge with children’s toddler and preschool dance classes, diddi dance, as a challenge this week, 13th – 17th May, as part of a national campaign in Children’s Activities Week, to raise money to improve support for children with autism, with charity Caudwell Children.

The challenge will take place as part of the regular diddi dance classes and the children will swap their normal classes for the sponsored challenge as part of the national Children’s Activities Week campaign.

diddi dance children, from classes nationwide, will form part of an estimated 120,000 children across the country in completing the challenge as part of the national campaign to raise awareness and money to provide support for autistic children through the charity, Caudwell Children.

Autism directly affects over 2.5million people in the UK every day and it is proven that early detection and intervention is the most effective way of managing behaviour relating to autism. But across the UK families can regularly wait years to receive an autism assessment for their child and, once diagnosed, often have to fight for any kind of support.

The money raised from the sponsored challenge will fund assessments and practical support for autistic children at the new Caudwell International Children’s Centre, the UK’s first independent purpose-built centre dedicated to autism.

Activity Leader, Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, said:
“We are proud to be a part of Children’s Activities Week and all of the children have had lots of fun practicing for our diddi dance Watch Me Fly challenge this week.

At diddi dance we are passionate about giving children the best start in life and by taking part in Children’s Activities Week we are taking that beyond our classes and helping other children as well.”

Children’s Activities Week is a partnership between the Children’s Activities Association, a not-for-profit membership organisation and national charity, Caudwell Children.

 

For more information about Children’s Activities Week or Caudwell Children visit www.caudwellchildren.com/caw2019.

 

diddi dance wins at EWIF awards

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Our very own diddi dance Founder Anne-Marie Martin was yesterday awarded the highest accolade at the EWIF awards 2019 – Inspirational Woman Franchisor 2019, sponsored by Little Voices.

We are delighted to be celebrating this most prestigious of awards for Anne-Marie at diddi dance HQ.

Anne-Marie was awarded the title at the EWIF ceremony yesterday, due to a hugely successful year last year, both as a franchisor, for her brand and network, and personally. This included delivering talks at local women’s networking events, sharing her experiences at franchising events, and inspiring the next generation at local schools, advocating franchising at every opportunity.

Improvements to the franchisee training and ongoing support, has seen the network feeling more motivated and empowered with even more webinars, face-to-face meetings, and forums. As a result, based on franchisee satisfaction, the franchise has been awarded 5* status for five years in a row. Whilst overall turnover increased, right across the network.

 

We also give huge congratulations to our franchisee Charlotte Foxley who runs diddi dance North Essex and South Suffolk, for winning Woman Franchisee of the Year 2019, Sponsored by McDonalds.

Charlotte runs a team of six teachers who cover 20 classes a week and works with several nurseries and special needs schools delivering diddi dance. Charlotte’s business is the first diddi dance franchisee to complete the Para Dance Instructor qualification in July.

And a massive well done to Emily Norman who runs diddi dance Bristol, for making it as a finalist in her category of  Young Woman in Franchising, a brilliant achievement.

We’re so proud of all of our diddi finalists and winners!

 

 

 

 

 

diddi dance nominated for What On 4 Kids Awards 2019

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diddi dance are excited to say we have been nominated for two What’s On 4 Kids Awards 2019 in the following categories:

Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity – Franchisor or Independent Taught By 30+ Leaders
Most Loved Party Activity – with 40+ Leaders Overall

These awards celebrate the UK’s biggest brands in the world of kids’ activities, the nations most talented teachers and class leaders, the most amazing volunteers and best party people – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.

If you can spare a minute please vote for us then wish us luck for a win!

Closing date for voting is 12 noon on 24th June 2019.

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