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.

 

24 hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children

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Will you be joining us on Saturday 27th June, to see our founder, Anne-Marie Martin attempt a 24hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children?💃🏻🕺🏾

This week should have been Children’s Activities Week 2020 and while we wait for the right time for it to take place, we are excited to help raise vital funds for Caudwell Children’s emergency fundraising appeal.

This awesome charity changes the lives of disabled children by providing access to the services, equipment, therapies and treatments they so desperately need 💚💗💙

We can’t wait for the challenge to begin and see which exciting guests will be joining her online.

If you would like to sponsor Anne-Marie you can do so here 🤩

The event will be streamed live on our diddi dance facebook and instagram pages.

We hope you will join us and all support is welcomed. See you then!

diddi dance in da house!

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We are super excited to announce that we are continuing to provide diddi dance online so you can join in at home direct from your living room.

All our online sessions will be run by our regular teachers to keep your little ones active:

  • exercise for your diddi dancer
  • entertainment
  • continue to help your child’s development whilst at home
  • help to keep a fun routine

We have had awesome feedback from the families who are already joining our online sessions and you can join us too! Contact your local diddi dance here, for all the information and book your place.

We hope you’ll be joining us very soon 🙂

#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”

 

 

 

 

 

New classes starting January 2020

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funky preschool dance classes girls boys

We have new classes starting in the new year, January 2020. See below what’s running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join in the fun.

Our new theme for January will be Hip Hop!

 

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 13th January @ 10.30 – The Avenues Children Centre, Sixth Avenue, York, YO31 0TX
  • Starting Thursday 16th January @ 1.45pm – Oakengrove Community Centre, Reid Park, Haxby, York, YO32 3QW

diddi dance Wirral & South Liverpool:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 11.15am –  Greenbank Sports academy (Brunswick room), Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AG
  • Sarting Friday 10th January @ 10am – St.Michaels in the Hamlet Church, Belgrave Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 7AG
  • Starting Wednesday 22nd January @ 1.45pm every other week – intergenerational session at Arundel Park (Sanctuary Park), Sefton Park Road, Liverpool, L8 0WN

diddi dance Wrexham, Oswestry, Whitchurch & Malpas:

  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10.45am – Funzone Playbarn Whitchurch, Unit 12 Digital Court, Waymills Ind Est, Whitchurch, SY13 1TT
  • Starting Thursday 9th January @ 1.30pm – Wem Town Hall, 28-32 High Street, Wem, Shrewsbury, SY4 5DG

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinckley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6thJanuary @ 10am – Brock’s Hill Visitor Centre, Brocks Hill Country Park, Washbrook Ln, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5JJ
  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10:30am – Marwood Care Home (intergenerational session), 57 Ashby Road, Loughborough LE12 9BS

diddi dance Bristol:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 10:00am – St.George Community Centre, Church Road, St.George, BS5 8AA
  • Starting Saturday 11th January @ 9:30am – St.Barts Church Hall, Maurice Road, St.Andrews Park, BS6 5BZ

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – Huggle, 8-10 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NT

diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – The Grove Centre, 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London, SE26 6PL

diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 10.45am – Whitestone Parish Halls, Merrymeet, Whitestone,, Exeter EX4 2JS
  • Starting Tuesday 4th February @ 10am – Devon Mamma Studios, Winners 2000 Fitness Ltd, Aspen Way, Paignton, TQ4 7QR

 

toddler hip hop street dance

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 – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime

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💚💗💙 diddi dance – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime 💚💗💙

We are leading the way in encouraging activity and movement in a fun and safe environment, and are sharing a brand new video to show parents exactly what they can expect from joining in a diddi dance class with their little ones.

Our founder Anne-Marie Martin said “we have created a brand-new video for diddi dance, which looks to convey our core mission – encouraging a love of moving that will last a lifetime.

We are absolutely committed to providing a healthy, welcoming and safe environment for the next generation, giving families a way of enjoying movement together and inspiring children from the crucial early years stage to enjoy moving.”

Try a diddi dance class near you today 💃🏻🕺🏼

 

NEW classes starting in September 2019

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funky preschool dance classes girls boys

We are excited to announce we have lots of new classes starting this September. See below what’s running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join.

Our new theme for September will be BOLLYWOOD!

 

In the meantime we do still have a number of summer classes running throughout August with our Reggae theme so why not take a look here for those to keep up with the fun.

 

diddi dance Southport, Sefton & West Lancashire:

  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 9.45am – Jump Warehouse (31 Slaidburn limited), Unit 31 Slaidburn Industrial Estate, Southport, PR9 9YF

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 9.30am – St Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Drive, York, YO23 1BW
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 1.30pm – Captain Barney’s, 14 Railway Street, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7NR
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 11.15am – Eversley Park Centre, Low Street, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire, LS25 6BA

diddi dance Wirral:

  • Starting Saturday 7th September @ 10.30am  – Jireh Hall, Teehey Gardens, Bebington, CH63 2JH

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

  • Starting Wednesday 11th September @ 9:45-10:30am – St Mary’s Church, Market Square, Lichfield Town Centre

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinckley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 3rd  September @ 10am –  360 play, (free stay and play after class), Meridian Leisure Park, Lubbesthorpe Way, Leicester LE19 1JZ
  • Starting Wednesday 4th September @ 945am – Glenfield Scout Hall,  Stamford St, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8DL
  • Starting Sunday 8th September @ 11am – Parklands Leisure Centre, Washbrook Ln, Wigston Rd, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5QG

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting Friday 13th September @  11:30-12:15pm – Huggle, 8-10 Winchester Road, London NW3 3NT

diddi dance Bexley & Dartford:

  • Starting Monday 9th September @ 1.30pm – Christchurch Community Hall, Eltham, SE9 1TX
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 1pm – Holy Trinity, Sidcup DA15 9AE
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 9.30am – St Stephens, Welling DA16 3QL
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 11am – Hall Place Sports Pavilion, Bexley DA5 1PQ
  • Starting Thursday 12th September @ 1pm – Stone Pavilion, Greenhithe DA99DS
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10.30am – Chislehurst Methodist Church, BR75LX
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10am – New Eltham, SE9 3UL

diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

  • Starting Monday 16th September @ 9.25am and 10.15am – Forest Hill V22 Community Studios, Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3HZ

diddi dance South East Hampshire & Chichester:

  • Starting Monday 9th September @ 10am – Aldingbourne Country Centre, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0JP
  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 11am – The Avenue Pavillion Petersfield GU31 4JQ
  • Starting Wednesday 11th September @ 9.45am  – The Regis Centre – Bognor Belmont Street, Bognor Regis, PO21 1BL
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 9.45am  – Donnington Village Hall, Stockbridge Road, Donnington, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8QT

diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter & Surrounding:

  • Starting Tuesday 10th September @ 10am –  Teignmouth Pavilions Studio, Teignmouth Pavilions, Den Cres, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BG
  • Starting Friday 13th September @ 10am – St Lukes Church Parish Hall, Lower Hall, St Lukes Road, Torquay, TQ2 5NX
  • Starting Thursday 19th September @ 10am – Bradley Barton Community Centre, Mill Close, Bradley Barton, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1UR
  • Starting Monday 30th September @ 9.45am – Exeter Community Centre, 17 St David’s Hill, Exeter, EX4 3RG

diddi dance Plymouth & Surrounding

  • Starting Wednesday 18th September @ 1.30pm – Moo Music Café, Mutley Plain, Plymouth PL4 6JJ


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