The What’s On 4 Kids 2019 Awards are open for nominations!
We would love if you could spare a moment to nominate diddi dance as a company and put your reasons in the box provided by visiting here
What’s On 4 Kids UK – Children’s Activities, a site where you can search for local activities, classes, groups and events for kids, children and babies. You can find hundreds of fun things to do with your children and family.
We thank you for your continued support 🙂
Our very own Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, is going to be sharing her story and experience of becoming one of the UK’s most successful and multi award winning franchisors in the children’s activities sector.
You can catch Anne-Marie speaking at the following events over the next couple of months:
5 February 2019 @ Space at 61, London SE15
8 March 2019 @ Mama Tribe for International Women’s Day
2 April 2019 @ Girl Tribe Gang monthly SE London group meet up, at St John The Unicorn Pub, London SE15
23 April 2019 @ MIBA South London, at Louie Louie Cafe, London SE17
Do come and join us if you’d like to hear more about Anne-Marie Martin’s journey to successful franchisor and mumpreneur. We’d love to see you there! As well as speaking at these events, Anne-Marie has also been invited along to a local secondary school to participate as a Dragon in their Dragons Den event in February.
We here at diddi dance HO would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest franchisee, Lois, who will be 
running the new franchise – diddi dance Southport, Sefton & West Lancashire.
Lois will be launching her new classes from January in Birkdale and Formby. Watch this space for more information!
To register your interest with Lois and book a free trial, fill in our Book a Free Trial form and select her name or you can email her directly by clicking here 🙂
A little bit more about Lois:
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am mum to 3 young children, my eldest 5 and my youngest 13 months. They keep me both busy and happy.
What did you do before diddi dance?
I am a qualified primary school teacher and have been teaching for 10 years, mainly within the EYFS. I have extensive knowledge of child development and the early years curriculum.
Why did you choose a diddi dance franchise?
I enjoy working with children immensely and have a love and passion for dancing. I am really excited about having an enjoyable career that fits around my family. Dancing can enhance all areas of a child’s development including social skills, emotions, creativity, physical skills…the list is endless. I am looking forward to bringing mums and their little ones together in a friendly relaxed environment where we can learn, grow and laugh together.
What are you most excited about for your new business?
Bringing the joy and excitement of diddi dance to the boys and girls around me. I am looking forward to dancing and having fun every day!
And finally, which diddi dance theme are you looking forward to the most and why?
Bollywood! Whilst travelling in India I fell I love with their hip shaking, arms moving, feet stomping dances!
Don’t forget to book your FREE trial today!
We here at diddi dance HO would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest franchisee, Lucinda, who will be 
running the new franchise – diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding.
Lucinda will be launching her new classes from January in Bromley, Orpington, Keston, Farnborough, Dulwich and Beckenham. Watch this space for more information!
To register your interest with Lucinda and book a free trial, fill in our Book a Free Trial form and select her name or you can email her directly by clicking here 🙂
A little bit more about Lucinda:
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I became a performer from the age of 10 attending full time theatre school, appearing in commercials and film. I was lucky enough to attend the Royal Ballet summer school. I later went on to attend the Centre College, where I studied for a 3 year professional musical theatre course and gained my teaching qualifications in I.S.T.D. I started my professional dance career at the age of 18 and have performed in theatres, casinos, circus, and cruise ships all over the world for the past 10 years.
What did you do before diddi dance?
I have been a cover teacher, when not performing, for 12 years. I have been teaching full time for a year and a half in ballet, tap, modern and various other styles teaching toddlers to adults.
Why did you choose a diddi dance franchise?
I have been in touch with diddi dance for a few years. I loved the classes, the relationship the teachers have with the children and I loved the atmosphere. I felt it was the right time to deliver my own classes with diddi dance.
What are you most excited about for your new business?
I am excited to build relationships with the children and guardians and to make a fun, safe, environment to watch the children nurture and grow in their development.
And finally, which diddi dance theme are you looking forward to the most and why?
I love the ballroom theme, its gracefulness and flare which the children love doing.
Don’t forget to book your FREE trial today!
diddi dance North Kent (Bexley & Dartford) has a new owner – Jane Mitchell! She will be taking over the management and direction of all classes & sessions running currently in the area and will be launching some new ones this upcoming September.
The classes that will be running from 10th September are:
Mondays:
Wednesday
Feel free to email Jane directly now to book a FREE trial or secure your spot in any of the above classes for September via [email protected].
A little bit more about Jane:
Tell us a bit about yourself:
My name is Jane and I live in New Eltham London with my husband Neil and our two year old daughter Lucy, I have two teenage stepdaughters Cara and Nancy.
What did you do before diddi dance?
I have been hairdressing for over 20 years along with many different managerial roles at different times in other different customer focused environments. Including supervisory, managerial and proprietor all with teams working for me requiring training, support and HR.
How were you affiliated with your new diddi dance franchise before taking it over?
I attended diddi dance with Lucy and had such a great time it seemed like a fantastic opportunity.
What made you want to take on an already established diddi dance?
My initial interest in diddi dance was upon finding out that my local area franchise was available for purchase. As a parent at a class I was able to see the business in its true light. Taking on an established and reasonably small franchise I felt that I had a great business model to enable me to understand and learn the workings of the business, before expanding and exploring the territory further.
And finally, what are you looking forward to the most with your new diddi dance franchise?
After lone working for five years now I’m really excited to a part of a team again, having a network of support as well as my own teachers to work with.
This is a totally new venture for me a fantastic challenge and I’m looking forward to building a successful business and secure future for my family.
We here at diddi dance HO would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest franchisee, Hayley, who will be running the new franchise – diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding.
Hayley’s first classes will be:
To book your toddler onto any of the above classes fill in our Book a Free Trial form and address it to Hayley, or you can email her directly by clicking here 🙂
A little bit more about Hayley:
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I am engaged to my partner of 13 years and we have two beautiful children – Our daughter who is 4 and our son who is 1. My daughter is due to start school in September so we’ve been enjoying some lovely quality time this summer as a family including camping and some lovely days out. We also love to go cycling together as a family as my daughter has recently learnt to ride a bike.
What did you do before diddi dance?
I have been a stay at home mum for the last 2 years since having my son, but prior to that I was a Youth Worker for 12 years working with young people who were educationally and socially excluded and also helping to set up provision for community/youth groups who wanted to provide services for young people, including art, drama, dance and sporting sessions. My first role in the Youth Service was as a dance co-ordinator, helping set up and run dance sessions around York.
Why did you choose a diddi dance franchise?
I felt there were a number of reasons that diddi dance seemed like the perfect fit. Firstly, I could go back to my first love in life, which is teaching dancing, something I am very passionate about. I also loved the flexibility of working my business around my family , not compromising my own commitments such as being able to drop/pick my daughter up from school.
What are you most excited about for your new business?
I’m just so excited to see how much fun the children are going to have in their classes, as seeing their faces light up when they’re having so much fun is amazing. It’s such a high energy and positive class it will be a joy to go to work everyday!
And finally, which diddi dance theme are you looking forward to the most and why?
Hip hop! I always taught street dance so that style of dance is something I love. I’m also really excited to do Bollywood as it’s such a fun and energetic dance style!
Hayley’s classes will be starting with our Disco theme so don’t forget to book your FREE trial today!
We are thrilled with the news that this year we have been awarded Best Early Childhood Dance Classes. The 2018 UK Enterprise Awards showcase the very best businesses from across the UK’s corporate landscape.
Jessie Wilson, Awards Coordinator, discusses the success of this year’s programme:
“UK based enterprises are renowned for their diversity and ability to progress through tough times. As we turn our backs on the recession it is now more important than ever to seek out hard working, innovative and diverse business owners and offer them a platform to further succeed, and as such it is my pleasure to announce the publication of this year’s awards. Congratulations to all of my winners; you have each exhibited determination, passion and a will to succeed which I hope continues into the future.”
Founder of diddi dance, Anne-Marie, said of the win:
“At diddi dance we are really honoured to have won this award. It always makes us feel proud to gain industry recognition for our business. I feel the reason for our success is down to our passion. Not only do we love working with children, and seeing them develop, but also being able to offer other individuals a flexible working opporutnity
SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.
See all the other deserving winners in the winners supplement and find us on pg 70 or read our feature below.
Earlier this month, 30 June & 1 July, diddi dance held its annual Conference where all franchisees come together to network, share best practice and take part in workshops & listen to presentations from industry experts to help them better their diddi dance business.
A highlight of the conference for founder Anne-Marie, and we think the rest of the diddi dance network, is the diddi dance Awards which recognise those franchisees that are excelling in certain aspects of the business. Both a winner and highly commended are given in each award and here they are:
Anne-Marie commented on the awards:
We love doing our annual awards recognising those franchisees in our network that go above and beyond with their diddi dance. We find motivation and inspiration our fun awards invoke is of great benefit to the all the franchisees and really helps them drive their business over the next year. We can’t wait to see who wins next year!
diddi debutante for the fastest growing franchise from a franchisee who launched in 2017 (based upon overall business growth):
Highly Commended – Tatiana from diddi dance Oxford & Surrounding
Winner – Wendy from diddi dance South Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Ayr & Surrounding
diddi developer for the franchisee who has taken over a territory (through resale or transfer) and developed the business in all aspects:
Winner – Liz C from diddi dance South East Hampshire & Chichester
diddi diva for the biggest growth by a franchisee from June 2017 to May 2018:
Highly Commended – Anuschka from diddi dance North London
Winner – Emily from diddi dance Bristol
diddi dancer for the most enthusiastic and “en pointe” teacher as nominated by their franchisee:
Higly Commended – Sacha, who teaches for Emily from diddi dance Bristol
Winner – Natalie, who teaches for Lisa J from diddi dance West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Tadley & Marlow
diddi discusser for the franchisee fully utilising and actively using social media & online resources to their best ability:
Winner – Lisa J from diddi dance West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Tadley & Marlow
diddi doer for the franchisee with most innovative marketing & promotions:
Highly Commended – Charlotte from diddi dance North Essex & South Suffolk
Winner – Caroline from diddi dance Swindon, Cirencester, Chippenham, Tetbury & Surrounding
diddi driver for the most motivated and driven franchisee doing their best to drive and progress their business:
Highly Commended – Julia from diddi dance North & Central Leeds
Winner – Charlotte from diddi dance North Essex & South Suffolk
diddi dude for the franchisee that is most supportive and active amongst the network – as voted for by the other franchisees:
Highly Commended – Emily from diddi dance Bristol
Winner – Julia from diddi dance North & Central Leeds
diddi deliverer, a new award this year, for the franchisee who is running the best business overall:
Highly Commended – Emily from diddi dance Bristol
Winner – Emma H from diddi dance North Shropshire, Wrexham & North West Stoke-on-Trent
Winner – Nicola B from diddi dance Lancester, Preston & Kendal
2018 marks 15 years since diddi dance, the much-loved national dance classes for little ones, launched its first class in Islington, London. To celebrate, diddi dancers & their friends are invited to don their best party attire and attend special party themed dance classes filled with dancing props, games, balloons, bubbles and much more!
Over 500 diddi dance classes across the UK will change from the regular 45-minute class structure to that of a special birthday party theme that will be the talk of the tots from the 4th to 10th June 2018. diddi dancers old and new are welcome to attend any of the special party classes during the week in their party best and help us wish diddi dance a happy 15th birthday!
The week-long celebration is an opportunity for diddi dance to give back to the people that helped them grow into the award-winning, national preschool activity that has over 40 franchisees running classes from Aberdeenshire down to Plymouth and has seen over 175,000 children attending classes since the beginning. There will be party goodies for all to take home and 3 competitions running across the national diddi dance Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages with the chance to win a free diddi dance Birthday Party, a free half-term of diddi dance classes or a diddi dance goodie bag choc full of all our fantastic merchandise, so your diddi one can take the dancing fun home with them as well!
Founded by professional dancer Anne-Marie Martin in 2003, diddi dance has developed over the years to offer a unique, innovative and fun way to get young boys & girls on their feet & moving. Welcoming all little ones from 16 months up to five years and using Anne-Marie’s own original music & choreography, diddi dance covers a variety of dance styles catering to all tastes. This week-long celebration is the perfect fit for the dance classes, which try to inspire children to find the enjoyment of movement from a young age but also improve physical fitness & activity amongst the under 5s inline with the UK Government’s Childhood Obesity Action Plan.
Speaking to Anne-Marie about the milestone she said:
When I was first asked by some parents in North London to start something dance related for their toddlers I didn’t think then that 15 years later diddi dance would be all across the UK encouraging thousands of children to be physically active & finding their confidence through dance. I also love that diddi dance has given other people the opportunity to find a better work/life balance through our franchise opportunity. It’s so exciting to be celebrating our 15th birthday this year and I can’t wait for our party week to share the fun with everyone!”
This celebration comes at a fantastic time for diddi dance as their recognition across the UK continues to grow. Seen as one of the leading providers of preschool dance classes, diddi dance has been featured on Strictly Come Dancing, held partnerships with Little Dish & PJ Masks, worked with charities such as MacMillan Cancer Support & Youth Sport Trust, won many top industry awards and been the go-to class for celebrities such as Amanda Holden, Sara Cox, Katie Price & many more.
The winners in the prestigious 2018 mumandworking Awards were recently revealed in an inspiring, high-rofile ceremony, as hosted by NatWest, and Charlotte Foxley from diddi dance North Essex & South Suffolk was amongst them!
These pioneering awards were launched over 8 years ago to celebrate the UK’s leading lights in the world of flexible working – those amazing and inspiring individuals, businesses, charities and networks demonstrating and showcasing how working practice and family-life can go hand in hand with huge potential benefits for all involved.
Charlotte Foxley from diddi dance North Essex & South Suffolk was revealed as the winner in the Franchisee of the Year category. Several categories were judged by a panel of leading business women, very familiar with the challenges juggling a family and a career can bring. Susannah Schofield OBE, said this about Charlotte “I loved her ethics and passion to deliver the franchise above and beyond, more than just about making money however – Charlotte runs her business to make a difference”.
Charlotte said: “Winning Franchisee of the Year at the mumandworking awards was just such an honour and a BIG surprise! I am just so proud of what I have done with diddi dance in the 2.5 years since I opened. Thank you to everyone who has been to one of our classes, booked us for a party, had a demo and to all the nurseries and pre-schools who we see throughout the year. I am especially proud of the launch last year of our special needs only classes which are now available after school and during the holidays for children with additional needs up to age 8.’’
Never has the importance of flexible working been so documented. ‘Mumpreneurs’ continue to generate billions for the UK economy, supporting in excess of 200,000 jobs and while we have witnessed significant positive changes in government policy towards flexible working in recent years, there’s still a long way to go. Research in 2016 suggested improvements in flexible working opportunities for mums would enable and empower huge numbers to return to the workplace with the potential to generate a massive £60+ billion boost to the UK economy.
Organisers were delighted therefore at the wealth and standard of the submissions for this year’s awards, which were run with media partner Key Women in Business. Hundreds of nominees entered, across 14 exciting categories ranging from ‘Flexible Business of the Year’, to ‘Inspiring Business Parent’ with special categories for bloggers, team members, franchisors and technology and innovation. 2018 saw the highest number of finalists ever plus a record number of votes from throughout the UK.
Suzanne Borrell, Events Director for mumandworking.co.uk concluded:
‘The wealth of nominations, the thousands of votes, our esteemed VIP judging panel and the range of nominees reflects the significant and growing support for the promotion of flexible working. The really exciting news is that so many finalists seem to have used the event as a springboard – they made amazing connections, were inspired to tackle something new or take on a challenge or just dared to dream bigger. So this isn’t just about one day – but what happens next – and we are privileged to be involved. Huge congratulations to all our finalists on their success!”
