If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough, says Sarah Beattie, MD of Fun Fest Franchising

Recognising a problem common to many working parents, Sarah used her childcare experience to open Fun Fest Holiday Club

Following a career in banking, Sarah Beattie achieved her goal of running her own business when she opened a day nursery in Solihull. At the time, she had three young children and it was a challenge, especially during the school holidays when it was difficult to find childcare that suited them all.

Recognising a problem common to many working parents, she used her childcare experience to open a holiday club, which provided the quality of care and choice of activities she wanted for her own children - and so Fun Fest Holiday Club was born.

EMPOWERING CHILDREN

Fun Fest Holiday Club empowers children by giving them a choice about how they spend their school holidays, enabling each child to design their own individual holiday programme.

With activities such as Nerf Challenge, Mission Impossible, Harry Potter Experience, Mad About Science, Sports Action, Great Outdoors, Master Chef, Pottery, Animaltastic, Treasure Quest, Jewellery Making, Beauty School, I’m a Kid Get Me Out of Here and many more, there is something to appeal to every child.

Fun Fest Solihull became an instant success for working families in the area and earnt a fantastic return for operating for only 11 weeks per year. Sarah recognised this model would work across the country and Fun Fest launched its national franchise programme in 2017.

“There has never been a better time to provide holiday childcare due to unprecedented levels of demand”

This has led to impressive network growth, with over 20 clubs now operating in the Midlands, north and south east, all contributing to its growing reputation with Ofsted, schools, parents and children. Sarah believes there has never been a better time to provide holiday childcare due to unprecedented levels of demand coupled with a lack of adequate provision across the UK.

GREAT OPTION

Franchising is an effective way for founders like Sarah to grow their business and is a great option for people wishing to run their own business. As a franchisee, you gain an existing brand with a proven record of success and established operating systems, which vastly reduces the risk and stress of setting up your own business from scratch.

Ryan Turner, Fun Fest franchisee for Sutton, explains: “For relatively low start-up costs, the financial returns are now great enough for me to step away from full-time work and focus on maximising the potential of my Fun Fest territory.

“I don’t have childcare qualifications, but with the great support on offer from the Fun Fest team and by employing a strong staff team, this has never been a problem. Fun Fest is a great opportunity for anyone looking for greater personal and financial independence.”

DAY NURSERIES

Sarah’s vision is for Fun Fest to become a household name across the country that is synonymous with high quality, child-centred childcare and activities.

At a glance Fun Fest

Established: 2017
Number of franchised outlets: 22
Location of units:
Midlands: Harborne, Moseley, Solihull, Coleshill, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth, Redditch, Derby
North: Cheadle, Wilmslow, Chorley, Hartford
South: Orpington, Uxbridge, Eton, Watford, Stanmore, Luton, Oxford
Minimum capital required: £20,000
Contact: 0121 726 2595