Mums Club Together For New Venture
By admin
Issued on behalf of Simply Out Of School
TWO mums who spotted a gap in the childcare market are set to create a UK network of out-of-school clubs after enjoying rapid early success.
Sharon Humphreys and Nikki Olphert were so frustrated by a lack of childcare for their own children they set up Simply Out Of School – a series of out-of-school clubs in the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taff.
With most of the clubs now full, and waiting lists for some of them, the experienced childminders and playleaders are now looking for people to operate two pilot schemes in South Wales with a view to rolling the venture out across the UK.
Sharon and Nikki currently run seven clubs, employing 23 staff.
There are four after-school, two breakfast clubs and one holiday club – at schools in Cowbridge, Pontyclun, Pendoylan and Peterston-super-Ely.
The clubs have proved particularly popular because of their Healthy Eating Policy, and the wide variety of activities on offer.
Nikki said: “The clubs offer a range of activities which keep the children interested, such as Fun French and a vegetable garden – produce from which is used in our Health Eating menus.
“We also make sure that there is plenty of interaction between the children, and that they sit together during mealtimes. We encourage them to talk!”
Sharon said: “We are very excited by how well our clubs have been received – the children love to come to them, and the parents know that their children are in a secure and stimulating environment.”
The demand for out-of-school-hours childcare is due to increase dramatically over the next couple of years following the introduction of Government guidelines which state that by next year every school in England will have to have access to a before and after-school club – the rest of the UK is to follow shortly after.
The guidelines have been introduced to address the changing needs of parents in the 21st Century, with more and more couples both working full-time.
Lyn Murray, headteacher of Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary School, has supported Sharon & Nikki’s venture from the start, and has now become their patron. “These days there is such a great need for out-of-school childcare and these ladies have created a superb quality service. Their professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication are outstanding. The venture will undoubtedly be a success.”
Steve Thompson, of Darwin Gray solicitors, is advising Sharon and Nikki on the creation of their franchise operation.
“I think that Sharon and Nikki’s business shows excellent potential for franchising and we are extremely excited as we work towards launching a UK wide franchise network.”
