The Independent Association of Prep Schools is the professional association for Heads and Deputy Heads of the leading 600 independent prep schools in the UK and worldwide.

Many of our existing clients are members and we look forward to introducing Debutots to potential new ones too! Charlotte and Karen from Head Office will be manning the stand and a 10% discount on the first term’s booking to any new clients who attend the conference will be on offer.

Please call by the stand to find out more about Debutots’ work with EYFS and KS1 pupils, and to pick up a leaflet detailing our exclusive conference offer.

February 2010

This year Debutots has been selected by children’s communication charity, I CAN, to contribute to their annual Chatterbox Challenge pack for the Key Stage One age group.

Inspired by this year’s theme of Mini Beasts and the Garden Debutots has carefully crafted a fun-filled scripted story exclusively for I CAN, based on the original Debutots story – The Compost Crew. Thousands of children all over the country will be pretending to be cool, soil surfing, composting worms – WOO HOO! – in order to raise vital funds for I CAN’s fantastic work.

Nurseries, schools, pre-schools and playgroups can order the packs, filled with activities for children aged 0-11, directly from I CAN by clicking on the link below. Everything you need for an eye-catching, fun and hugely successful fund-raiser is inside!

http://www.ican.org.uk/chatterbox%20challenge.aspx

November 2009

Debutots has helped make words matter with I CAN, the children’s communication charity, by adopting a word. Across the network, our practitioners already work closely with I CAN on their annual Chatterbox Challenge and their UK-wide road shows, so when it was discovered that the Debutots chosen word, Simplicity, was still available for adoption, Head Office snapped it up and have promised to take good care of it!

Debutots sessions are all about bringing simplicity back to children’s play through using stories and our imaginations. Who needs props when you can use words, sounds and imaginative play to really bring learning to life. Every session we run demonstrates that less is truly more!

September 2009

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with us at the TES show. It was lovely to meet so many new teachers and nursery practitioners and to see some of our loyal customers enjoying a day away from school or nursery!

For any nurseries or schools who haven’t yet booked their free trial or would like to take advantage of the show offer, please do not hesitate to contact us.

November 2009

Debutots franchisees Sharon Redden (North Down, Ards and East Belfast) and Lois Kennedy (South Belfast, Lisburn and Surroundings) have been very busy since exhibiting at the Big into Baby Show at the end of September.

The demonstration classes were a huge hit and the stand was a hive of activity as parents and grandparents stopped by to chat with Sharon and Lois and find out where their nearest class was.

Good luck with the new classes girls!

November 2009

Mum in Business – Clare Hodgson

Clare Hodgson is a proud franchisee of Debutots early Years Drama for the Durham area, as well as a mum to Emily aged 9 and Molly 4. We chatted to Clare about what it’s like being a Mum in Business in the North East…

"I had been out of the workplace for over 3 years. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1994 and up until 2005 I had been working on a part-time basis. However, following the birth of my second child I was unable to continue to do this. Now my MS is stable I needed a career that would fit in around my busy home life and still enable me to spend time with my 2 girls. My husband, Garry, also runs his own successful architectural business so I knew a lot of what was involved in working for yourself.

I have always loved amateur dramatics and it was purely by chance during a search via the internet that I came across Debutots. I have been trading for 9 months now and it has been a lot of hard work, but I have loved every minute of it! My plan was originally to ease into the business gently by just working mornings after I had dropped Molly off at her nursery session, however because my classes have been so popular I have also been working afternoons and a Saturday morning!

My husband, Garry, has been so supportive and because he works for himself he has the flexibility to help with childcare when needed, I also have a good network of friends and family who I would be lost without! I think the hardest part has been planning for my classes at home which generally has to be done on an evening when the girls have gone to bed.

Debutots is the UK’s premier drama-in-education company for the early years providing a unique blend of interactive storytelling and dramatic play for children aged 6 months to 7 years. I work with schools and nurseries in the Co Durham area. During the weekly classes I tell a new and original Debutots story to the children and we then recreate the story together using the children’s ideas, which really fires their imaginations, develops their creativity and builds their language, listening and social skills. I also run classes for younger children and their parents. These classes are a multi-sensory blend of storytelling, puppets, bubbles, and movement to music. It is as fun and inspiring for adults as it is for little ones as these early language and play experiences help communication skills grow and confidence blossom. No Debutots classes are ever the same, but one thing for sure is that everyone who comes along will certainly have fun!

If I could give one piece of advice to a mum who is thinking about setting up in business it would be to just go for it! A year ago I never dreamed I would be running my own successful business, and I now have my first member of staff. As long as you’re organised there is no reason why you can’t be a mum and a businesswoman as well. After all, women are used to multi-tasking aren’t we?!

October 2009

Just one of the recent blogs about Debutots by Essex mum, Louise Ford

Do you have a star in the making? Find out at Debutots!

I took my son Felix to Debutots this afternoon and it was really good fun! He was a little on the young side I think (he’s 2yrs 2 months and most of the kids there were around three I think), so he was a little uncertain at first but was really enjoying it by the end.

Even though he doesn’t have as vivid an imagination as a lot of the older kids and was a little uncertain of what was going on at first, he’s at that age now where he’s starting to engage in more imaginative play, and after a little while of hanging back and watching the other kids he started to join in and was actually pretty good at it all.

The class was very freeform with the kids deciding on the direction it took. Obviously there was a structure to it but it seemed to follow the kids rather than having them stick to a rigid plan. The story this week was about an elephant, so the kids were encouraged to pretend to be animals, stomp around the room, explore a zoo etc. The kids who had been there the previous week certainly remembered things they had done prior as one decided he would be a dinosaur!

It looked like madness, but was so much fun. I think it will give the kids involved a real confidence boost and certainly help them use their imaginations, as well as providing some ideas for us Mums for games to play with them. Felix spent the whole journey home telling me about various colour dinosaurs that were hiding in different places we passed while I just looked like a nutter!

Debutots is held every Monday from 1.45 until 2.45pm at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff.

October 2009

Debutots Swindon’s First Birthday

Debutots is a nationwide franchise network established in 2003 and the Swindon branch was launched in September 2008 with 3 parent and child classes. One year on we have 4 growing parent and child classes, two after school clubs (Oliver Tomkins CE Infants and Tregoze Infants Schools) and a fortnightly childminding group.

We’ve also done some fantastic workshops in Swindon schools, including two days at Wroughton Infants as part of their Eco Week.

Debutots has also been very busy with children’s birthday parties, with Pirate Scallywag and other fun characters travelling all over Swindon and as far away as Malmesbury.

This summer saw the launch of the new Debutots Support Through Story programme, designed especially for childminders.

We are taking on a new practitioner this term who will be a huge asset to the team, and will help us expand further into Swindon schools and nurseries, as well as opening new parent and child classes in the new year.

One of our highlights this year was raising £177 for children’s communication charity ‘I Can’ though their Chatterbox Challenge.

Weekly parent and child classes for children aged 6 months to 5 years explore original stories through dramatic play, developing confidence and imagination. Currently running in Old Town and Abbey Meads, contact Jenni to book a free trial session.

Sessions in schools and nurseries for ages 1 to 7 years can include weekly classes, afterschool clubs, one off workshops and parties, and are carefully linked to the EYFS and Key Stage 1 Curriculum.

Debutots Swindon 1st Birthday offer: Parents: receive one week free when you book a term’s classes – quote this offer when booking. Schools, nurseries and childminders: save 5% on your first term’s booking – quote this offer when booking.

Contact Jenni on 01793 325785, email: jenni@debutots.co.uk

August 2009

Early Years Drama classes: Imagination is the key to fun

Former dancer Paula Frew is using her talent for performing to bring a little drama into the lives of children. Ann Molyneux-Jackson reports.

In her I’m A Debutots Drama Queen T-shirt, mother of two Paula Frew is like the Pied Piper leading children on a trip into their imaginations.

One minute the youngsters may be skulking along the floor pretending to be foxes, the next flapping their arms frantically like insects or climbing up high on an imaginary ladder.

For the last year, Paula has been running Debutots Early Years Drama classes around Peterborough and Stamford. She also does sessions in nurseries and runs workshops in pre-schools.

"Children have too many distractions these days and don’t use their imaginations as much," said Paula, who has two sons three-year-old Sam and Joshua (7).

"People’s lives are so busy and they think they can just set up things for their children, that they can set up a farmyard and all the animals and say, ’this is the cow and it goes moo’ and then go away and do something else.

"But the learning experience needs to be more for children, you need to get down on the floor and be the cow, not just show them the cow."

Debutots isn’t just another drama group, the classes only work with children aged between six months and seven years old, boosting their confidence and allowing them to develop their language and communication skills using a blend of storytelling, music and imaginative play.

Few props are used in Paula’s classes held each Tuesday at Gunthorpe Community Centre, in Gunthorpe, Peterborough, and each Friday, at Barnhill Methodist Church in Barnhill, near Stamford.

Instead, she relies on her skills as a storyteller and performer to keep the children enthralled.

"There are many benefits for children. They are learning, but they don’t really know they’re learning," said Paula, who lives with her family in Deeping St James, near Market Deeping.

"My son, Sam, is the biggest drama queen ever and I’ve explored this with him,"

"Instead of taking the washing to the washing machine, a dinosaur takes it and he learns quite a lot that way."

"Me and the boys will just be pirates for no particular reason."

"Parents need to be encouraged to just stop and play more."

"The first few times the children come in and they are very shy, they don’t know the class, they don’t know me, but in just a few weeks they are joining in," she added.

"Our stories take us on a different journey each week, we may swim to the bottom of the sea, perhaps fly high on a silver unicorn or play football with the rest of the animals in the zoo.

"Using our magical world of stories we encourage your children to express themselves their way. We excite their imaginations and help build their confidence and self esteem. We encourage important language, listening and social skills and give them the chance to rehearse for life."

"One little boy, Alfie, was quite withdrawn when he first came, but now he contributes lots to the class. He has lots of ideas about lots of things."

"I see them grow week by week."

Debutots has provided Paula with the chance to get back into the world of work after a seven-year break spent bringing up her children. The hours also give her plenty of time to spend with her boys.

"I gave up work to have children, then when they started going to pre-school I found myself with a few hours to spare," she said.

"I wanted to do something valuable for children, and I wanted to do something with acting."

Paula spotted an advert for Debutots and decided this was the opportunity she had been looking for.

"There was nothing else like it in the area," she said.

She became only the seventh franchisee for the company set up by two women in 2003. There are now 17 franchises around the country.

It took about six months to get things off the ground and she hasn’t looked back since and will be celebrating a year of being involved with Debutots next month.

You don’t need to spend long in 39-year-old Paula’s company to realise that she is a born performer and so it’s no surprise to hear that in her younger days she used to tread the boards as a professional dancer.

"I started dancing when I was three, it was my escapism when I was growing up," she said.

The ink had barely dried on her final school exam papers before she was off entertaining audiences in holiday camps and on the London stage and touring the country with an all-girl dance troupe called Shockers.

Paula had moved into a career in marketing by the time she fell pregnant with her eldest son.

But perhaps she has finally found her vocation sharing her love of drama with youngsters.

Classes are fun for parents as well

The parents throw themselves into a Debutots session with as much fervour as their offspring do.

Karen Ellis comes to the class in Gunthorpe with her two-year-old son Alfie.

"It’s great that Paula doesn’t use any props and the children have to use their imagination," she said.

"Alfie really enjoys it and it gives him a chance to use his imagination and make his listening skills much better. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like he’s listening, then he comes out with something he’s heard in the class at home.

"Then when he’s here and Paula’s talking, it will be a trigger for what he’s learned in previous weeks."

Nicky Banbury, who lives in Longthorpe, Peterborough, was one of the first parents to sign up her three-year-old daughter Alice for Debutots when the classes started in Gunthorpe last September. She also brought her five-year-old daughter, Caitlin, along for a few sessions before she started school.

"There are so many classes around that are the same, and drama is just a bit different," she said.

"Alice does really seem to enjoy it."

Helen Tuson has been coming to the class from her home in Yaxley, near Peterborough, with her four-year-old daughter, Katie, and son, Ryan, who is 19-months-old, since it began.

"Katie was quite shy and I wanted something to increase her confidence and bring her out of herself, and this has really worked," she said.

"Her confidence has come on so much."

She added: "Ryan is talking more and wants to act things out in stories. The other day he was pretending to be a helicopter."

"It has encouraged me to play more pretend games with them at home. Katie is going to school in September and to prepare her we have been pretending to be at school."

Alex Wells is a relative newcomer to Debutots, but she has already noticed the positive effect it has had on her 16-month-old son, Joseph.

"He’s loved it, right from the very first week he’s enjoyed it," said the mum from Walton, Peterborough.

"He can’t do all the actions yet, but things he can do, he does."

"I’ve been to baby groups where they have lots of toys, but it is amazing how much fun you can have without toys, just with your imagination."

Sarah Bramwell got more than she bargained for when she signed up for Debutots with her three-year-old daughter Lucy.

"Debutots was getting busy, and I said I would help, thinking I would be making coffee and generally helping out, and now I’m running my own sessions twice a week at nurseries," she said.

Sarah, from Werrington, Peterborough, admits that the classes have changed the way she plays with her daughter.

"She’s a confident little girl anyway, but at home I find myself interacting with her a little bit more and doing things such as making a shopping trip fun," she said.

"I like the variety with Debutots. With a lot of singing groups the songs are the same week after week but this changes around every week with different songs and different stories."

"When I first saw a class I was in stitches because the children are so entertaining."

Finlay had a fantastic time

My son Finlay is just a couple of months away from his second birthday, but he’s already showing signs of being a bit of a performer, so I took him along with me to the Debutots Class at Gunthorpe Community Centre.

This is a family class for children aged between one and four years old.

He may be very young, but Finlay is something of a veteran of classes for babies and toddlers.

Since he was just a few months old we’ve tried all sorts of activities mostly concerned with singing, music and movement.

They all have their merits, but this class was slightly different. I’d never heard of a drama class for children his age before and I was intrigued.

The only props that Paula had were a CD player and a box of books for when the children have a quiet time with biscuits and drinks at the end.

Finlay wasn't sure what was going on at first and clung close to me, probably wondering where on earth his mother had brought him to this time. But it wasn’t long before he was engrossed in everything that was going on.

When Paula pressed her nose with her finger and made it beep he thought it was hilarious, and was keen to join in when she put on some music and invited the children to get up and dance.

Finlay was also delighted to see a bubble machine and bubbles and he twirled around underneath them trying to catch one or two.

He sat there mesmerised as Paula told a story about a mosquito unable to find a job, enthralled by the actions, waving her hands for the frantic wings of the insects and stamping her feet for the farmer’s footsteps. Usually he only stays still for that long when he’s asleep. Actually, he doesn’t stay that still even when he is asleep.

Finlay soon lost his initial shyness and, along with the other children, literally jumped into the story when Paula invited them to so they could act out what they had heard.

The children added things to the story that weren’t originally there. One little boy, Alfie, decided there should be a fox so everyone had to crawl on all fours. But Paula isn’t phased by anything their imaginations throw at her.

Finlay was still touching his nose and making a beeping noise when we got home. He really enjoyed himself and if I’m honest, so did I.

Classes to be held over the summer

If you are looking for something to do with your little ones during the summer holidays, why not try Debutots summer drama sessions?

A family class for children aged one to four and their parents is being held every Tuesday in August at Gunthorpe Community Centre in Hallfields Lane, Gunthorpe, Peterborough, between 10.30am and 11.30am.

A family class for one to four-year-olds is taking place at Barnhill Methodist Church in Barnhill, Stamford, every Friday in August from 10.30am to 11.30am. Coffee and chat time is included at all classes.

Booking is essential. The cost is £5 a session and parents can book as many sessions as they like.

Call Paula about classes next term or any other information on 01733 788148 or e-mail paula@debutots.co.uk.

July 2009

Play Session Makes Debut at Young Mums’ Club

TWIRLING to the sound of motivational music and chasing floating bubbles was all part of a taster session for a new educational initiative in Hexham.

And taking part were five babies and toddlers from the young mums’ group, which meets at Hexham Children’s Centre each week.

Called Debutots, the session was run by local practitioner Clare Hodgson, who regularly takes classes in schools on the Durham border.

But this was the first time Clare had brought Debutots to a young mums’ class.

Both mums and babies were invited to join in with animated storytelling and creative play sessions for the little ones.

The aim – to improve communication skills and expand early vocabulary through word association and drama.

And for these young mums in particular, the session provided an opportunity to learn some new skills of their own.

Twenty-year-old Toni Irving takes her 10-month-old daughter, Emily, to the young mums’ group each week. She said: "I read stories to Emily at home, but I would never have done anything like this; you feel a bit stupid acting along at first, but if you all do it together it’s much easier."

The Debutots sessions are not just aimed at the children taking part; at the Hexham session the mums themselves were also encouraged to take an active role, helping break down their inhibitions and boost their confidence when playing with their children.

Debbie Brown, who attends the classes with her son, David, said: "Teenage and young mums get quite a lot of bad press and we often feel like people look down on us at other mother and toddler groups."

"The young mums’ group here is not like that. It is really helpful for us all to get together and talk about our experiences, and we get to come to sessions like this, which the children really love."

Debutots practitioner Clare said: "The sessions can be very rewarding for both the children and the parents and once everyone has got over their initial shyness it can be a lot of fun."

Claire Brown, whose daughter Lexi-Louise is only four months old, said: "It has been a lovely session and Lexi-Louise has been very alert watching the colours on the parachute; she also loves the music."

"There are hardly any groups that you can take tiny ones to – the other sessions like this are usually for toddlers – but this is brilliant for Lexi-Louise."

After a successful taster session, Clare now hopes to run regular sessions at the children’s centre in Hexham.

She said: "Debutots can be tailored to any children up to the age of seven years old and we usually run sessions in age brackets."

"For older children, the chance to act out stories and explore them further feeds their imaginations and this can later be developed into hot seat and improvisation sessions."

For more information about Debutots sessions in the area, call Clare on (07960) 355177.

July 2009

Debutots has opened its door to six-month to seven-year-olds across Guildford, Godalming and Woking.

Guildford mum, Casey-Jane Rand set up the activity programme, which will visit several schools and nurseries, to support young children’s emerging communication skills.

Debutots Early Years Drama was established in 2003 and now boasts 17 branches.

Debutots Baby Story Play sessions for ages six months to two years and Early Years Drama classes for two to seven year olds have been launched in this area by Casey-Jane, mum to Evie aged three.

Casey-Jane, 32, said: "Our classes are a unique blend of interactive storytelling and dramatic play. Young children love playing at make-believe but often adults find it difficult to play with children in this way."

"Our classes inspire parents and carers to play imaginatively and creatively, through story, together with their children."

"The telling of stories and an ability to interpret and create new stories is crucial to the development of children’s early literacy skills."

"There’s no other early years activity quite like Debutots – believe me I have tried most of them with my daughter."

"Each week I tell a new and original Debutots story sometimes using puppets and props and then encourage the children to re-tell the story in their own unique way."

"For younger children the classes are multi-sensory and quite mesmerising. Parents and nursery staff are always amazed at how the attention of such little children is held throughout the class."

Casey will be running classes in Guildford, Godalming and Woking from September. She is also taking bookings from Nurseries and schools for the new term.

For a free trial session contact Casey-Jane Rand at Debutots on 01483 479 460.

July 2009

Charlotte and Karen, Co-Directors of Debutots and franchisees Lucy from Bristol and Laura from Pinner were honoured to attend I CAN’s Parliamentary Reception on 30th June.

Chaired by Michael Buerk, the speeches were hugely engaging and informative. "Listening to the very personal experiences of people whose lives have been touched by communication disability was extremely emotive and really reminded us why we are so passionate about supporting I CAN as much as possible," said Charlotte. "The reception was most inspiring and we are very grateful to I CAN for inviting us along," added Karen.

I CAN’s aims are directly reflected in Debutots’ practice and Lucy and Laura were delighted to deliver their classes as part of I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter Campaign Roadshow this year. The campaign, principally supported by the BT Better World campaign and Openreach, highlights the importance of communication as the foundation for learning and social development.

We were delighted to meet nursery operators and child carers from across the country at the Childcare and Nursery Show. There was quite a buzz around the Debutots stand, which was manned by Charlotte and Karen (Co-Directors of Debutots) and Debutots Franchisees Jennifer from North London, Clare from Essex, Rachel from South West London and Casey from Guildford.

From left to right:
Karen (Head Office), Jennifer (North London), Rachel (South West London), Clare (South East Essex), Casey (Guildford) and Charlotte (Head Office).

There was plenty of information shared with childcarers and nursery operators about our work. Even some of the other exhibitors were interested in finding out how Debutots can make a difference to children’s learning and development; including Dave Benson Phillips who chatted with Karen for quite a while!

The exclusive show offer of 10% off your first term’s booking is valid for one year from the date of the show and with a leaflet obtained at the show from the stand.

Childminders get creative
By Tara Dundon

Childminders in Peterborough are being encouraged to take part in a new curriculum of interactive storytelling and dramatic play sessions. Caverstede Children’s Centre, in Walton, Peterborough, is one of many centres across the country to offer support to childminders through the Debutots Childminders’ Support through Story Programme (EYFS).

Childminders will be encouraged to play creatively with their little ones during the sessions, guided by a skilled Debutots practitioner.

Interactive storytelling will promote skillful communication, drama techniques will foster cognitive development and fun, while imaginative role-play will grow the children’s positive sense of themselves and of others.

Senior practitioner for Children’s Centre services at Caverstede, where the programme is being launched in the area, Ann Perry, said: "Having Debutots at Caverstede is a fantastic opportunity for the childminders. The childminders will be able to access the workshop and use ideas in their daily practice."

For more information, call Paula on 01733 788148.

Lucy featured in a double page article about Debutots and the importance of children’s language and communication development. Specifically focussing on Lucy’s classes, two attendees and their little ones provided fascinating case studies!

Baby Talk

Parents making silly faces and strange noises are among the ways communication is encouraged in children at Debutots. Mother-of-two Lucy Smith, who runs classes in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, explains how the interactive approach works.

I’m the crazy drama lady and everyone follows my lead, so no one feels silly or shy in my classes – we just have lots of fun. Parents see the benefits and realise that what they do will get a direct response from their child.

Debutots classes build parents’ confidence and teach them how to play and communicate creatively and imaginatively with their children. This may surprise people, but it’s not always a natural instinct to know how to do this. After all, it’s been many years since the parents played themselves.

Debutots isn’t just another drama group – we only work with the under 7’s, and we don’t train children to become performers. There are no jazz hands! I take my love of storytelling and performing, and use that to enable children to develop their language and communication skills using a blend of storytelling, music and imaginative play.

I work with children as young as six months old, with their parents, who come to baby story play classes and they love it. I also work with children of school age, and I’ve witnessed the growth in confidence and language development of the older children in my groups too.

Many people ask me "How can a six-month-old baby respond to these classes?" When the child is really young, the focus is on working with the parents and carers. The multi-sensory blend of storytelling, puppets and movement to music means these classes are as fun and inspiring for the adults as they are for the little ones.

Children really do benefit from a positive early start with promoting their language skills, and our early language and play experiences are bursting with laughter and learning! On more than one occasion, within weeks of joining a class, I’ve seen children grow from being shy and non-communicative to confident social children who thoroughly enjoy the interaction in each class and go home talking to their parents about that day’s story.

I provide weekly handouts for parents so they can retell our stories at home – we may do something as simple as using "sssss…" while we pretend to be snakes sliding around the jungle, or we may use our bodies and faces to express our feelings as grumpy monkeys. No two classes are the same.

Parents have chosen to come to my Debutots classes with their children who have been diagnosed with delayed speech. They find Debutots a creative and innovative way to work with their children.

I can certainly recognise when a child who attends my class has delayed language. One little boy would simply babble but still have good eye contact so I knew he was communicating with me. The parent had been very concerned, but after a term, the child’s speech has developed considerable. Both parent and child have become more confident abd even socialise independently wit their group. This was a child who had before clung to his mother’s leg – what a fantastic outcome for him!

Featured Case Studies

‘Her confidence has grown’

Kim Payne takes her daughter, Grace, to Bradley Stoke. She says:

Grace was just 18 months old when she joined Debutots Early Years Drama and she’s about to start her third term with them.

In all honesty, I was initially embarrassed about going to something like this where you have to jump around and be really interactive with your child.

However, after a couple of sessions I realised just how much Grace loves it and how much it benefits her. I even got Grace’s dad to come to one – which meant a huge amount for him to be able to see what she does while he works – it was a very bonding experience for the family.

Grace is now two years old and absolutely loves Debutots. She’s a true thespian – always singing and dancing, which obviously are a fantastic way to develop her communication skills.

I try to keep it consistent by encouraging her at home as well as at Debutots – so I always ask her to tell stories and perform anything new she has learned. She will happily keep us entertained! It is amazing because Grace used to be painfully shy with strangers. She has blossomed into a chattering storyteller. She loves to come home and go through what she has learned. Both her confidence and my confidence have grown since we started going.

Anything that helps Grace develop her communication has become a priority. For one thing, her social skills are already shining through – I don’t want her to be one of those young school children who hides in the back row and never makes any friends, Her play-acting, singing and storytelling are all important skills in speech, language and communication.

The Debutots experience has been an incredibly important one for me, as it’s been such a bonding experience for me to connect with my daughter; we play more together and have fun.

‘It’s such a bonding experience’

Wendy Donaldson has been taking her 13-month-old son, Devon, to Debutots classes in Bradley Stoke since he was seven months old. She says:

It’s the storytelling that I think is so important. To tell stories through play and acting – using words, sounds and expressions – is fantastic for developing a child’s speech, language and communication skills.

It encourages them to learn and use different emotions, which is obviously great for every child’s social and emotional development.

Aside from the bubbles, it is the animals that Devon enjoys most about Debutots. Going to the sessions encourages him to communicate his love of animals, rather than keen it to himself. He can experiment with animal sounds, which were his first ever sounds, and all the time share his love of animals with his peers, through conversation and drama.

It is such a bonding experience going to the classes together. The interaction between Devon and me throughout the class and at home is so special. I love sharing the joy he gets from going to the classes. He is constantly learning new skills, demonstrating his new words and developing new ways of communicating with me.

The classes help parents learn how to interact with their child. It’s tragic how many parents just don’t know and it’s not their fault. Alter all; children don’t come with a manual! Debutots acts as a guide and gives parents tips for what to do at home and follow up. We take anything new he may have learned, such as new words, and go home and show off to Dad.

There is also a lot of problem solving that goes on and they don’t even realise they’re learning. The sessions are just a big game to them and they don’t realise they’re learning constantly using every sense – sight, speech, their body and brain.

It combines everything necessary for successful development and all in a fun way.

April 2009

Debutots and I CAN feature in the Bristol Evening Post.

The children’s communication charity I CAN estimates about 10 per cent of children in the UK – an average of three in every classroom, have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), either as their primary disability or as part of another condition such as autism, dyslexia or cerebral palsy.

Debutots is actively involved in I CAN’s three-year awareness raising campaign called Make Chatter Matter, which aims to ensure that speech, language and communication are embedded at the heart of children’s policy.

The campaign, principally supported by the BT Better World campaign and Openreach, highlights the importance of communication as the foundation for learning and social development.

After two years of campaigning, the importance of speech, language and communication is now emerging as a national issue like autism and dyslexia.

The issue was made a priority for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in the Better Communication Action Plan in December, 2008. The Department of Health (DoH) also recognised the issue through the publication of the joint DCSF and DoH Child Health Strategy in February 2009.

I CAN and BT World have produced The Communication Cookbook, which contains 20 games to help develop all children’s speech and language. Schools can order their free copy from www.communicationcookbook.org.uk. There is a small charge for postage and packing.

Throughout 2009, I CAN will be holding the Chatterbox Challenge, a sponsored activity supported by Openreach, in which thousands of nurseries, schools and children’s groups, including Debutots, around the UK will perform their favourite weather themed songs and stories to raise money to help I CAN support children who struggle to communication.

April 2009

Debutots raise over £100 in Chatterbox Challenge

Swindon’s Debutots Early Years Drama group explored an original and exciting weather-themed story for the Chatterbox Challenge this week at their storytelling and drama sessions.

Their efforts raised more than £100 for children’s communication charity ICAN, which develops speech and language skills as part of Chatterbox Challenge 2009.

And thanks to the generous support of BT’s Openreach, every penny will go directly to help children with communication difficulties.

"Chatterbox Challenge is the perfect opportunity for the children to learn and begin to enjoy the art of language and communication through storytelling," said Jenni Saunders, the local Debutots franchisee.

"Together, the children and their parents explored our exciting and original story, Naught Nimbus and the Courageous Clouds, through sound and word play, simple drama games, gesture and imaginative play. The repetition of words and sounds, actions and gesture throughout the interactive storytelling will aid the development of important communication skills whilst helping us raise vital funds for ICAN."

Debutots classes provide a unique blend of interactive storytelling and dramatic play in parent and child sessions, nurseries, schools, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs.

For more information email jenni@debutots.co.uk.

March 2009

Local Mum Makes Her Start Up Debut

Have you ever wanted to achieve your ‘Work Life Balance’? One local mother of 2 has done just that with the help of Be Enterprising’s Emerge start up programme.

Clare Hodgson, of Consett, was referred to Emerge to apply for a business start up grant and in September last year she signed the franchise agreement for Debutots, a drama-in-education company for the early years.

Clare was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1991 and continued to work until the birth of her second child in 2005. Clare said, "Being out of work for so long was hard. I missed the independence I had from my part time work. With my MS now stable, I wanted to look for a career that would fit around my busy home life and still enable me to spend time with my 2 daughters. I have always loved amateur dramatics and it was purely by chance during a search via the internet that I came across Debutots."

Debutots classes provide a unique blend of interactive storytelling and dramatic play for children aged 6 months to 7 years. Working in the County Durham area, Clare starts each class with a new story which is then recreated by the children using their ideas to develop their imaginations, creativity and build their language, listening and social skills.

Clare continued "I knew when I saw the Debutots site that I wanted to take it further. I went on an Experience day to see if it was right for me. My husband has his own successful business so I knew a lot of what was involved working for yourself, I just needed some guidance getting there."

Clare added "Trying to juggle home and work has been the hardest part of setting up my business. Anyone who is self employed knows that it is not a 9 to 5 job and a lot of my preparation needs to be done on an evening once the children have gone to bed! My Emerge Advisor has been extremely supportive and I received a start up grant which was an enormous help. I know that if I ever need any help or advice they are just a phone call away."

Gillian Khachikian, Emerge Advisor said, "Clare has so much energy and enthusiasm it is infectious. Everyone who has seen her classes are amazed at how beneficial they are and how much the children enjoy them."

You can find out more about Debutots by calling Clare on 01207 583 274

March 2009

Swindon Biz Watch on the Chris Warburton Show

Jenni was invited into the studio to talk about her business in the current economic climate. "I started my business in September," said Jenni, "So I have been working in the current climate from the start and don’t know anything different... because our classes tick a lot of boxes – they’re educational and fun – parents are happy to spend their money on the activity."

Jenni went on to say that setting up her Debutots franchise has been very rewarding and has provided her with the flexibility to earn her own income around her children’s timetables.

Would Jenni recommend this path to other mums? "I definitely would," said Jenni, "But make sure you take the right steps to find something you’re passionate about!"

It really is all about the work-life balance and the need to earn that all-important extra income. Jenni’s enthusiasm and passion for her work came across in droves throughout the interview. Providing a worthwhile and unique service to parents, nurseries and schools means that Jenni’s business is thriving – well done Jenni!

March 2009

Making Chatter Matter in Bristol

Lucy was invited to spend the day at the Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol where she worked with children’s communication charity I CAN to mark the launch of the I CAN Make Chatter Matter campaign in Bristol.

Bristol children and grown-ups were treated to a jam-packed weekend of Debutots classes, magic and face painting and in addition, a speech and language therapist was on hand to offer expert advice on children’s communication development.

Local shoppers and their families added their favourite words to a giant wall of words at The Galleries and below are some of the Debutots children adding theirs too!

ITV came down to cover the event and based their report on Lucy’s story. "If you go down to the shops today, you’re in for a great surprise ..." was the opening sentence of their report on the event where Lucy delighted children and grown-ups with the original Debutots story of Tiny Ted and the Beary Big Picnic – a story about a very big shopping list for a very tiny teddy!

Several children who regularly attend Lucy’s classes went down to the galleries to join in with the fun and support their favorite activity practitioner – a big thank you to them!

March 2009