Child’s Play Can Pay Off

By Linda Whitney

You need more than a love of children to make a success of a child-centred business. You will need to follow strict rules and have a keen business-brain.

Jan Thomas, co-founder of the Kids Club franchise, which involves going into nurseries and pre-schools to make films of children against various backgrounds, such as in the jungle or on the farm, says: ‘As well as a general enthusiasm for working with children you need to be self-disciplined and business minded.’

‘There’s never a dull moment with children, but it can be hard work – sometimes we have filmed 50 separate children in one day’ says Mrs Thomas, who is looking for another 15 franchisees with £20,000 to invest.

As with other child-related franchises, Kids Club demands that the background of all franchisees are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). You cannot apply for a check yourself so the franchisor will apply for you (more details at www.crb.gov.uk).

Helen Harrington of MAD Academy, whose franchisees run choreographed music and dance sessions for children from three months to five years, says: ‘A bit of experience of working with children helps, even if just as a parent, because if you don’t know what to expect, a class of young children can be quite daunting.’

It’s a flexible franchise, and like many child-related franchisees, it can be fitted around school hours, so it suit parents. It needs ten franchisees with some business background and £5000 to invest.

Musical Playtime, whose franchises offer music and movement sessions to children from six months to three years and their carers, is also looking for more franchisees.

You do not need experience or teaching qualifications, but you must be able to sing in tune and can take your own children along too. Cost is £3500.

Concerns about childhood fitness levels should boost interest in physical activity sessions for children.

There are several franchises, including Tumble Tots, whose franchises offer fun, physical play programmes for children from six months to seven years in hired halls, using specially designed equipment. Initial investment is £12,000 and you can fit it round a family.

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