diddi dance

diddi celebrates EWIF finalists announced 2019

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The EWIF (Encouraging Women Into Franchising) Awards 2019 finalists have been announced!

We are extremely proud that our very own Anne-Marie Martin, founder of the diddi dance franchise, has been selected as one of only three finalists for the highly prestigious EWIF Inspirational Woman Award 2019 sponsored by Little Voices.

On being nominated, Founder of diddi dance, Anne-Marie Martin said,

“To have been selected as a finalist in this most prestigious of EWIF’s awards, in the Inspirational Woman of the Year 2019 category, is truly an honour. I am hugely proud of our diddi dance journey and where we have come in 16 years of franchising, in supporting women to create their own work/life balance running a business as part of the diddi dance family. To have our hard work recognised by EWIF is a real tribute to our success as a franchise”

 

In addition, two of our own diddi dance franchisees have also been announced as finalists in their categories – Charlotte Foxley who runs North Essex & South Suffolk,  is amongst five finalists for the title of Woman Franchisee of the Year 2019 sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants and Emily Norman who runs Bristol, is one of three selected finalists for Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2019 (Under 30) sponsored by Darwin Gray. Here’s what they both say on their nomination:

Charlotte Foxley, finalist for Woman Franchisee of the Year 2019, said,

“I feel extremely honoured to have been selected as a finalist in this category and to have the hard work that I’ve put in to build my diddi dance franchise during 2018 recognised in this competitive field by EWIF”

 

 

 

Emily Norman, finalist for Young Woman in Franchising (Under 30) 2019, said,

“I am very excited for this year’s awards and feel very proud to have made it as a finalist in this category by EWIF. To achieve recognition as a young diddi dance franchisee within a male dominated industry by a prestigious awards body is a great honour”

 

 

We are exceptionally proud of our diddi dance finalists and applaud the hard work they have all put in throughout 2018 to reach this point. We wish them all the best of luck for the EWIF Awards 2019, which will be held this year on Wednesday 1st May.

What’s On 4 Kids 2019 Awards are now open

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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 🙂

diddi founder shares the secrets of her success

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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.

New diddi dance classes starting in January 2019

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We have a number of new classes starting in January and we at diddi dance want to be sure you know about all of them! Here is what is launching with the start of the new half term in your area for each diddi dance franchise. The list below is from North to South in the UK

diddi dance Chester & North Wales :

  • Starting 7th January, Monday @ 2:00pm – All Saints Church, 2 Vicarage Rd, Hoole Rd, Chester CH2 3HZ

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinkley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting 21st January, Monday @ 11:00am – Abbeyfield Care Home, Westfield House, 44 Westfield Drive, Loughborough, LE11 3QL (please note this is an intergenerational class)

diddi dance Essex:

  • Starting 10th January, Thursday @ 9:45am – St Luke’s Church Hall, St Luke’s Road, Southend SS2 4AB
  • Starting 11th January, Friday @ 9:45am – St George’s Church Hall, Rushbottom Lane, Benfleet SS7 4DN
  • Starting 23rd January, Wednesday @ 1pm – Fitnfab, 10 Village Square (near Asda), Chelmer Village,
    Chelmsford CM2 6RF

diddi dance Reading & Wokingham :

  • Starting 8th January, Tuesday @ 10:00am – Lord Harris Court, Mole Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, RG41 5EA (please note that this is an inter-generational class run from a residential care home)

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting 10th January, Thursday @ 4pm – Spark/99, 99 Myddleton Road, N22 8NE

diddi dance Bexley & Dartford:

  • Starting 11th January, Friday @ 10:00am – Chislehurst Methodist Church, Prince Imperial Road, Chislehurst
    Kent, BR7 5LX
  • Starting 12th January, Saturday @ 1:00pm – Holy Trinity Church, 1 Hurst Road, Sidcup, DA15 9AE

diddi dance Mid & East Surrey:

  • Starting 7th January, Monday @ 9:15am – Ruxley Church Ewell, Ruxley Lane, Ewell, Epsom, KT19 0JG
  • Starting 7th January, Monday @ 11:00am – St.Mary’s Ewell, London Road, Ewell, (Epsom) Surrey, KT17 2AY

diddi dance Brighton, Worthing & Horsham:

  • Starting 12th January, Saturday @ 9.15am – Worthing High School, South Farm Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7AR
Why not book your trial for one of these new classes today! Visit our Contact Page to get in touch with your local diddi dance now.
We hope your toddler can join us for our current theme – CHARLESTON!!!

 

 

 

New diddi dance franchise – Southport, Sefton & West Lancashire

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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!

New diddi dance franchise – Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

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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!

New diddi dance classes October & November 2018

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There are a number of new classes starting this & next month and we at diddi dance want to be sure you know about all of them! Here is what is launching with the start of the new half term in your area for each diddi dance franchise. The list below is from North to South in the UK.

diddi dance Lancaster, Preston & Kendal:

  • Starting 30th October, Tueday @ 10:00am – Lundedale Hall, Bective Road, Kirkby, Lonsdale LA6 2BG
  • Starting  2nd November, Friday @ 9:30am – Kendal Leisure Centee, Burton Road, Kendal LA9 7HX

diddi dance Wolverhampton, South Staffordshire & Stafford:

  • Starting 9th November, Friday @ 1:30pm – Families First @ Faraday Road, Faraday Road, Stafford ST16 3NZ

diddi dance Reading & Wokingham:

  • Starting 31st October, Wednesday @ 10:00am – The Calcot Centre, Highview, Calcot, Reading RG31 4XD
  • Starting 2nd November, Friday @ 1:45pm – Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9EH

diddi dance Oxford & Surrounding:

  • Starting 30th October, Tuesday @ 10:00am – Partyman World of Play, Grenoble Road, Oxford OX4 4XP
  • Starting 31st October, Wednesday @ 10:00am – Seacourt Hall, Botley, 1 Westminster Way (above Co-Op), Oxford OX2 0LW
  • Starting 1st November, Thursday @ 10:00am – Hadland Road Community Centre, Hadland Road, Abingdon OX14 3YH
  • Starting 4th November, Sunday @ 10:00am, Hadland Road Community Centre, Handland Road, Abingdon OX14 3YH

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting 29th October, Monday @ 10:00am – West Reservoir Centre, N4 2HA

diddi dance West London:

  • Starting 4th September, Tuesdays @ 10.00am – Askew Road Church, Bassein Park Rd, London W12 9RN
    Please arrive by 9.50am to be let into the building, once the class starts at 10am the external doors will be locked.
Why not book your FREE trial for one of these new classes today! Visit our Contact Page to get in touch with your local diddi dance now.
We hope your toddler can join us for our current theme – BALLROON!!!

 

diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester receives CAA Gold Accreditation

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The team at diddi dance, the brand behind the much loved preschool dance classes, are extremely proud to announce their franchise diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester 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 SE Hampshire & Chichester’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 Liz Chisnall and her franchise diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester.

Over 200,000 children a week now attend a CAA member activity and it is a truly fantastic endorsement for diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester to be part of this ground-breaking national initiative. Liz’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.

Liz took over the business for diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester in July 2017 and within her first year achieved both her Bronze & Silver CAA accreditations and now has an amazing 14 classes running throughout the area.

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 cpreschool toddler dance hampshire chichesterhecks, 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 SE Hampshire & Chichester 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 Liz’s success:

“Using the CAA accreditation system to ensure all our franchisees are performing to not only our high standards but also a nationally recognised association too is so important to us. It’s fantastic seeing our fifth franchise gain gold accreditation. Having only taken this franchise over a year ago, it’s fantastic to see the turnaround Liz has given it. She is truly deserving of her gold accreditation as she is running a brilliant franchise.”

Adding to this Liz of diddi dance SE Hampshire and Chichester said:

“I’m so pleased to receive my Gold Children’s Activities Association Accreditation, I hope it gives our parents and carers confidence that our classes are run to the very highest standards, as well as being brilliant fun. As a business owner, it makes me proud to know that our classes have been externally checked and have received GOLD accreditation status.”

Congratulations again to Liz and her franchise. If you would like more information about diddi dance SE Hampshire & Chichester visit the Facebook page here or read all about them by clicking here

diddi dance nominated for a Club Hub Award 2019

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diddi dance are excited to announce we’ve been nominated for the Club Hub Awards 2019 in the following categories:

  Franchise of the Year
  Leader of the Year

Club Hub is an award winning kids directory on children’s activities all over the UK and these awards celebrate the UK’s best children’s clubs and classes, along with leaders and volunteers, party providers, places and activity-based products for children – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.

The more nominations we receive the more likely we are to become a finalist so if you can spare a minute please nominate us then wish us luck 

 

diddi dance Wins Awards for Best Childhood Dance Classes

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SME News Announces the Winners of the 2018 UK Enterprise Awards and diddi dance is one of them!

toddler early years dance class award winning

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.

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