TalkFirst Baby Signing

Business Concept

Baby signing enables pre verbal children to let their parents know what they want and how they feel by using signs and gestures. The benefits are enormous. Research shows signing babies speak earlier and are calmer. Parents are more in tune with their baby and bond easier. The concept was introduced in America and is a growing trend in the UK amongst parents who want to give their child the best start in life.

Baby signing is much easier to learn (and more fun) by attending classes. TalkFirst have developed innovative exciting weekly classes for all babies up to 30 months and their carers.

Classes have been developed by leading trainer/consultant Julie Ryder. Julie is Mum to 2 children herself and understands that Mums want to attend quality classes which are stimulating and fun for them as well as their babies. All classes are based on a solid structured, proven formula.

History

Founded in 2006, as sister company to Julie’s existing training and consultancy business HearFirst, it has already established itself as market leader in areas where classes are running. All 3 franchisees have experienced instant success by following the TalkFirst model.

TalkFirst has Investors in People and intends to join the BFA in 2008. The business is a family affair with both Julie and her husband Matt actively involved in the daily running of TalkFirst.

What a franchisee would do?

• Class tutor
  • Signing and singing away enthusiastically on the day of the class.
  • Preparing for classes. Learning songs and running order of the class from lesson plans provided.
• Marketing and PR
  • Advertising classes e.g. posters, distributing fliers etc
  • Taking enquiries from parents and booking them on classes
• Business
  • Banking and book keeping
  • Employing additional tutors (optional)

Training/support is provided in all areas of the franchise.

Franchise Package Overview

• Franchise Licence to use the registered trademarked franchise model Operations Manual
• Teaching Manual
• Initial Training Opening & Ongoing support
• 116 Puppets of various sizes
• 96 Musical Instruments
• Almost 50 other misc. props e.g. play parachute
• Music, songs and rhymes
• Full programme of Lesson Plans
• Leaflets & Posters
• Uniform
• Exclusive Territory
• IT Services
• BSL Level 1 training (if required)
• Everything you need to run the class, even mats for the mums to sit on.

Results and performance of existing franchisees

Susan Broxton became a franchisee in 2006. She runs 5 TalkFirst classes over 2 mornings. The classes were an overnight success and she is looking to expand the number of classes within the next 6 months.

‘You can’t beat the job satisfaction when a parent tells you their baby is signing and communicating before they can speak. I started signing with my youngest 2 children and that’s how I got into this. I now have a successful business which fits round my family life and gives me a lot more satisfaction than my previous job as bank manager ever did. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been plain sailing, setting up a business with 3 children under 6 has had it’s ups and downs but there is so much potential for me to grow my business as my family grows and because it is a franchise I get all the support I need from Julie and her Team at Head Office.’

Profile of franchisee

• We’re looking for someone who is:
• Lively and enthusiastic
• Passionate about giving children the best start
• Enjoys working with children and their parents
• Experienced in working with or bringing up children
• Organised
• Self motivated
• Be willing to follow the TalkFirst business system

To learn more and enquire about the franchise opportunity with TalkFirst Baby Signing, click the 'Request Information' button.