
In this issue of The Founders Series, we meet Jade, one of the Ready Steady Play co-founders.
Jade and her fellow co-founder Jo are united by their passion, experience working with children, and drive for childhood development through play, music, and movement.
In this Q&A session, we get to know a little bit more about what brought Jade into this field and why she believes so passionately about the benefits of play and music for childhood development.
Q) Hi Jade- can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you into this field?
Hi! I'm Jade, a mum of two little girls aged five and six, living in Waterford and I am the co-founder of Ready Steady Play and Music.
I LOVE kids and have always been interested in becoming a preschool or primary school teacher. I started babysitting on the weekend when I was 14 and during transition year in school, I went on work experience in a local Montessori.
It was only later when I was in college completing my bachelor's degree in Biotechnology that I realized my passion really was working with children. All of my experience with children was drawing me back in! I decided to study for my childcare degree online while working and completing placement. And when I was eventually qualified I set up my own registered private childminding practice which I ran successfully for over 10 years.
During my time being a childminder I would take the children I minded to various activities, one of which was our local play and music class. After attending classes for nearly 7 years with multiple children I minded (including my own) the opportunity arose for me to purchase my own franchise and I knew it was the right move for me.
Q) How did Ready Steady Play come to be?
Prior to the Covid 19 pandemic in March 2020 I was operating weekly play and music classes for babies, wobblers, toddlers, and preschoolers successfully on a full-time basis. Unfortunately, our Master franchiser's contract for Ireland was not renewed and my choices were to either sign a new contract with the Master franchiser under a different brand or set up my own business.
After a lot of thought and consideration, I decided to team up with another franchiser who was in the same position. Jo and I had supported each other with lesson plans previously and felt we would work well together and had similar ideas and concepts for the future of our classes. We both felt there was a need to bring updated lesson plans to our customers, to enhance the play props used in class, and introduce a wider variety of instruments as well as having a clearer focus on supporting the overall development of the children attending our classes.
Q) Why Should Parents choose play music and movement classes for their children?
Children learn best through play. Our Play Music and Movement Classes allow children to explore and learn in a fun environment at their own pace.
Our classes help build fine motor control, problem-solving skills, foundational math and science concepts, language and vocabulary, social-emotional skills, and so much more.
We provide a teacher-led class and all the props and equipment so you can enjoy the play with your kids. A fun and developmentally appropriate learning environment allows each child to grow and learn at their own pace. Each child is given the opportunity to build their confidence, make new friends, enjoy new experiences and grow their bond with their parent.
Q) What do you love about your work?
Working with children gives me a sense of purpose and it feels like this is what I was born to do. It is the most rewarding job. Work never feels like work when I am in the classroom.
There is nothing more gratifying than being part of the wonderful journey that is parenthood. And supporting new and seasoned parents and their children to grow and learn and develop week after week after week. I have the privilege of providing new experiences to parents and their children and creating a nurturing space for them to experience something new each week and seeing those wide smiles, belly ache laughs or sparkle in their eyes is why I absolutely LOVE my job.
Thanks Jade! It was great to get to know you and find out more about what drives you. In our next issue, we will meet fellow Ready Steady Play co-founder Jo.
If you are looking to attend play, music, and movement classes for babies, children, or toddlers in Waterford, Kilkenny, or Clonmel you can find your local classes with Jade and her team here.
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