Since baby development specialist Victoria Jennings launched Bloom Baby Classes in 2017, the franchise has grown exponentially. Launching its sister brand, Bloom Toddler Classes, last year, Bloom Baby Classes has doubled its number of franchisees in three years – the network growing from 38 in 2020 to over 80 in February 2023. With close to 100 territories in the UK alone, the franchise is now set to further expand overseas – establishing a presence in Ireland, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
“I initially launched the sessions in my local area of Stockport in 2017 and, by January 2018, I had three teachers helping me run over 36 classes a week,” says Victoria Jennings. “Today, we have a global presence which is only growing stronger. With more than one in ten mothers being affected by postnatal depression every year, each member of our network shares the passion for encouraging parental wellbeing and the development of infants and early years children. As we expand to even more territories overseas, we hope to support as many mums and dads all over the world as possible as they navigate the early stages of parenthood.”
Amy McHugh from Dublin, Ireland, is just one member of the Bloom network who recently launched the classes overseas. After completing a degree in childhood studies in London, Amy went on to become a nanny for families all over the world before settling in Ireland, launching Bloom Baby Classes in Wicklow and South Dublin in September 2022.
“After seeing the transformative effects the classes were having on both my friends and their little ones over in the UK, I knew I needed to offer the same opportunity to parents in Southern Ireland,” says Amy. “Before I launched my Bloom territory there was no community for new mums and dads to be a part of, and I am so proud to be offering this imperative support for parents and their children across my area.”
Further afield, Bloom has two locations in the Middle East. Already established in Doha, Qatar, is co-owner Ciara Callaghan with her baby classes. Before joining the network, Ciara worked with young children for 11 years, including in a Montessori centre in Ireland as well as an outdoor nursery in rural Donegal. Despite only launching earlier this year, the territory has already experienced huge success, with the classes being the first of their kind in the area.
In Dubai, Chloe Cummins is launching her classes at the end of this month. A qualified primary school teacher with a range of experience in teaching EYFS, Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and Special Educational Needs, Chloe is launching her classes to support both new parents and their little ones.
“My goal for launching the classes in Dubai was to provide the very foundations of learning and development to babies aged between 0-15 months,” says Chloe. “However, I’m equally passionate about advocating for positive mental health – I hope my classes will be beneficial to those adjusting to parenthood and will support the important parent-baby attachment. Dubai would wholeheartedly benefit from having more sensory classes – and I’m making it my mission to make this happen!”
Later this year, Bloom will be further expanding to Georgia, located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. The award-winning franchise also has plans to launch classes in Cyprus, with Teddy Dimova launching Bloom Toddler Classes in Paphos and Limassol . A sister brand to Bloom Baby, Bloom Toddler acts as a follow-on class for children aged 15 months and over, with teachers guiding little ones as they become more mobile and independent. Returning to her home country but unable to find a toddler class in Cyprus for her son, Teddy decided to launch her own Bloom Toddler Classes in Cyprus.
“I used to live in Cyprus for over 12 years, but then I met my husband, we got pregnant and then we moved to the UK. I remember going to our first baby class in the UK and what an amazing experience that was – not only for my son, but for myself as well. We couldn’t find a class like that here in Cyprus when we moved back in June 2022 – a class that offers that parent-toddler experience and the chance for new mums to meet and support each other. This is why I decided to launch my classes, and I am so excited to be opening our doors in just a few months!”
For more information about investment opportunities with Bloom Toddler Classes visit their website here: https://www.bloombabyclasses.com/franchises
