NEWS & BLOG
Award Winning Business Development for Children's Activity Providers
LATEST TIPS & GUIDES FOR CHILDREN ACTIVITY PROVIDERS
Check out my blogs and podcasts for FREE tips, guides, and resources to support you to start, grow and scale your baby, toddler, kids business.
Events
The Class Business Awards 2026 are officially here
I’ve been working on something big behind the scenes for 2026, and I am finally ready to say it out loud. After years of mentoring, listening, supporting and championing class…
From Provider to Strategist: Launching the Children’s Activity Business Strategist Course (Now CPD Accredited)
I’ve been in the children’s activity world for over a decade. I’ve seen parents adore what providers do, and I’ve also seen the burnout, the underpricing, the frustration of knowing…
Business Club Membership
There Is No Shortcut to Success in a Children’s Activity Business
Running a children’s activity business can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s also demanding in ways that often get glossed over. There’s a lot of talk online about quick wins, overnight…
Why the Best Marketers Think Like Parents, Not Sellers
Some of the most effective marketing in the children’s activity world doesn’t look like marketing at all. It feels calm, reassuring and human, and that’s no accident. The providers who…
Why Every Children’s Activity Business Needs Cheerleaders (Not Just Strategies)
Running a children’s activity business can feel isolating. From the outside, it looks joyful. Colourful classes, happy children, proud parents. But behind the scenes, many providers are juggling bookings, confidence…
How to Sell Out Your Holiday Clubs Without Burning Yourself Out
Holiday clubs can be one of the most powerful parts of a children’s activity business. They can also be the thing that causes the most stress if you don’t approach…
Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working, and 5 Tweaks That Cost You Nothing but Time
Let’s be honest, marketing your children’s activity business can feel like shouting into the void. You spend hours on flyers, fiddling with Canva, posting on social media… and still wonder…
Trial Sessions Done Right: Turning Interest into Bookings
You’ve probably run or offered trial classes before, they feel like a no-risk win. But done badly, they end up costing you time, effort and bookings that never convert. I’ve…
From Nurseries to Online French Queen: Sandra Kasparek’s 16-Year Journey
This week in the Children’s Activity Business Club, I sat down with Sandra Kasparek – also known as the Online French Queen. Sandra has been part of the La Jolie…
Relocating, Rebuilding, and Growing Stronger: Alison Wynne of Boppity Bunnies
This week inside the Children’s Activity Business Club, I’ve been catching up with some of our fab members. First up is Alison Wynne from Boppity Bunnies Music & Movement. We…
How Kelly Built Mindful Explorers and Found Support in the Children’s Activity Business Club
This week I caught up with Kelly Tarrant from Mindful Explorers, one of our brilliant members inside the Children’s Activity Business Club. Kelly’s business is all about helping children and…
From Teacher to Business Owner: Ruth’s Journey with Happy Harmonies
I’ve been busy interviewing some of our incredible members inside the Children’s Activity Business Club. Today I want you to meet Ruth Saunderson, the founder of Happy Harmonies. Her journey…
Business Growth - Advice and Tips
Book That In: The Booking System Built for Class Providers (And Why That Matters More Than Ever)
If you run classes, you already know this truth. Running the class is the easy bit. It’s everything around it, the bookings, payments, chasing, admin, emails, spreadsheets, “have they paid?”,…
Dr Sam Ballington on Quality Training, Play-Based Learning, and Why Class-Based Businesses Matter More Than Ever
If you work with children and families, you already know this. Things have changed. Children’s needs are different. Parents are stretched. Schools are doing their best, but the system isn’t…
From Kitchen Table to 64 Territories: Christina Taylor-Chisholm on Growth, Grit and Why Recognition Matters
When you speak to experienced founders who’ve really built something, you quickly realise there’s no overnight success story, just a lot of courage, learning on the job, and staying the…
Why Your Website Is Part of Your Customer Experience (Not Just a “Nice to Have”)
For many class-based business owners, a website is one of those things that sits permanently on the to-do list. It gets started.It never quite gets finished.And somehow it ends up…
Stop “Spray & Pray” School Outreach: How to Build Strategic Partnerships That Actually Work (with Bex Howe)
If you’ve ever been told, “Just email the school and offer a free taster,” and thought… surely there’s a better way than this — you’re not wrong. Because here’s what’s…
From Ride-On Toys to Recurring Revenue: Tracey Taylor’s One-to-Many Journey
Some businesses start with a big strategy. Others start with a moment every parent recognises. For Tracey Taylor, it started in a playgroup… with one ride-on car and a room…
You Don’t Need the Whole Plan — You Just Need to Start
Kelly Reynolds’ One-to-Many Story There’s a moment most class-based business owners reach. You’re busy.You’re booked.You’re doing good work. But there’s a quiet question sitting in the background: “Is this it?”…
From Franchisee to £46k in Year One: Becci Jones One-to-Many Journey
When Becci Jones became a franchisee, she didn’t go into business chasing big numbers, online courses, or “passive income”. She wanted a job she loved.Something that fitted around her family.Something…
From Living Room to Low-Touch Recurring Revenue: Rose Gibson’s One to Many Story
There’s a moment in many established businesses where things are working… but they’re also tiring. The clients are loyal.The classes are full.The brand is recognised. But the business still relies…
Why “Posting and Hoping” Isn’t a Strategy — and What Class Providers Should Be Doing Instead
If you’re a class business owner who feels like you’re doing all the things on social media but still struggling to fill classes, this conversation is one you need to…
Maximise Your Time Without Burning Yourself Out
Time is one of the biggest frustrations for children’s activity providers. You can love what you do, feel busy all day, and still reach the end of the month wondering…
Franchise Readiness Is About Responsibility, Not Just Growth
Franchising is often talked about as the next logical step when a business is doing well. Demand is strong, enquiries are coming in, and others are asking how they can…
Why Community-Led Marketing Is Replacing Traditional Social Media for Class-Based Businesses
For years, class-based businesses have been told the same thing: Post more. Be consistent. Promote your sessions. And while none of that is wrong, it’s no longer enough. After reviewing…
Social Media Posts That Fill Classes Without Feeling Salesy
If social media makes you feel awkward, exposed or like you’re constantly trying to sell, you’re not alone. Most children’s activity providers didn’t start their business to become marketers. You…
The Back to School Boost That Actually Works
There’s a moment every year when routines snap back into place. Lunchboxes get packed, diaries start filling up and parents suddenly remember all the things they meant to sort but…
From fully booked to waitlisted: the power of scarcity done right
If you’ve ever sat looking at your booking numbers wondering why parents aren’t snapping up spaces, let me tell you something that will change the way you market forever. Parents…
Stop Undervaluing Yourself: Pricing Models That Support Children’s Activity Providers Long Term
You know that sinking feeling when you look at your bookings and think, “All those hours I put in, and I’m still not making enough to breathe easy.” I’ve been…
How to Get Hours Back in Your Week: Systems, Shortcuts and Sanity Savers for Activity Providers
If you run baby classes, toddler groups, kids clubs or after-school activities, you probably didn’t set out thinking you’d spend half your week glued to your laptop. You signed up…
Why “Protecting Your Team” Means Protecting Your Business
ICAP’s Smart Strategies to Protect Your Team makes one thing clear: your team is not a “nice to have,” they are the backbone of your business. Combine that with ICAP’s…
The ICAP 2025 Outlook Is Right, But It Misses the Opportunity
ICAP’s 2025 Outlook says the UK children’s activity sector is now worth £17.7 billion, with families spending £1,400 per child each year. They highlight struggles too: 56 % of providers…
Marketing Mix
Do you have the right Marketing Mix in your Children’s Activity Business? When it comes to baking a cake, I must follow a recipe otherwise it turns out to be…
The Power of Email Marketing
There’s Money In Your List For the last 10 years I have been banging on about the power of email marketing and the fact there is money in your list.…
Awards
Winner of Supplier of the Year – Club Hub UK Awards 2024
The 2024 Club Hub UK Awards didn’t just leave me inspired – I left holding the Supplier of the Year 2024 award! When I started the Children’s Activity Business Club,…
Winner of Service Provider of the Year – Business Success Network Awards 2024
Krissy wins Service Provider of the Year at the BSN Awards 2024, celebrating her behind-the-scenes work helping businesses grow with proven strategies.
Winner for New Business of the Year – Family Network Awards 2022
Back in 2022, the Children’s Activity Business Club was still the “new kid” on the block – and we ended our first year with a pretty unforgettable moment: winning New…
Club Hub UK Award Sponsor 2023
The Children’s Activity Business Academy is delighted to be sponsoring the Marketing Pop Star Award at the Club Hub UK 2023 National Awards. Kristine Monaghan, the Founder of the Children’s…
Disruptive Franchise Awards 2023 Judge
Did you hear the news? I’m excited to be announce that I have been asked to be a Judge for the Disruptive Franchise Awards organised by Jo Middleton at the…
The Family Network Recognition Business Awards Finalist
I’m delighted to announce that Kristine Monaghan the Founder of the Children’s Activity Business Academy is a finalist for New Business Start Up of the Year with the Family Network…
Club Hub UK 2023 Judge
I’m delighted to announced that I will be a judge for the Club Hub UK Awards for 2023. It’s such a privilege to be part of these fantastic awards that…
Club Hub Awards 2022
What a day we had at the Club Hub Awards 2022 on Saturday 14th June in Birmingham. The day was hosted by Tessa Robinson the Founder and Director of Club…
What’s On 4 Kids Activities Awards 2022
The Children’s Activity Business Academy is thrilled to announce that we have been nominated in the What’s on 4 Kids Activity Awards 2022 for Game Changing Supplier category. Whats on…
