High-profile expert panel to launch pioneering association! In a UK-first, the Children's Activities Association will raise industry standards, promote excellence across the sector & offer parents peace of mind when choosing the right activities for their little ones! The kids' activity sector is flourishing – with NHS guidelines recommending at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and many parents juggling busy lives - clubs and classes are a fabulous way to keep your children healthy, happy and socialised. However, with thousands of activities running all over the UK every day, how can parents be sure they are investing in the best for their child? It may be surprising to learn but up till now they could not! In 2015 the Children's Activities Association will however be launched – a UK first and a significant, pioneering development which is already being celebrated by leaders in the sector and parents alike.
As one Sussex parent explained 'I had a bad experience with swimming lessons for my little ones. One teacher actually pushed my child into the pool and another knocked my daughter's confidence so much with her style of teaching in the end we just left. I realised afterwards I had just based my choices on nothing more than the information on their website and that they were local – I felt really bad but it was hard to make an informed decision'
The CAA will therefore offer parents a bench-mark for all organised children's activities by establishing and improving consistent standards & awarding accreditation. Parents and carers will be able to get the peace of mind they need and be more confident in their choice of providers – knowing they are members of the CAA. The CAA will also give more children the opportunity to experience a wider range of organised activities, as well as commissioning research, campaigning for improvements within the sector, actively working with policy makers to influence legislation, promoting the benefits of children's activities and awarding grants to community projects. But who are the CAA? The CAA is a Community Interest Company with no shareholders. All profits must be used to benefit the association's mission. The founding team is led by Sam Willoughby, Managing Director of What's On 4, the multi-award winning provider of online guides of children's activities in the UK and worldwide since 2006. Joining What's On 4 are leading providers of children's activities as well as other professionals and experts who work within the industry - to include senior representatives from
Baby Sensory diddi-dance Enjoy-a-ball Morton-Michel – The childcare insurance specialist Sing and Sign
Tatty Bumpkin The Creation Station Tumbletots Water Babies
As well as Sid from CBeebies – 'Ambassador of Children' and Dr Amanda Gummer PhD - authority on child development, play and parenting.
Steve Franks, CEO of award-winning Founding Member 'Water Babies' said 'It is a real privilege to be invited to join the CAA and be able to make a contribution to the creation of a new leading voice for our industry sector. As the CEO of the UK's largest pre-school aquatic teaching organisation I have been witness to the staggering growth of children activities and services over recent years. The CAA will therefore fill a unique and highly valued space through demonstrating dynamic and imaginative leadership in order to represent the interests of all providers within our industry sector' Founding Member, Dr Amanda Gummer PhD added 'The explosion of activities for children means that parents can be bombarded with information and not know where to turn. To have an independent accreditation system with the aim of promoting accessibility and awareness of great children's activities will be hugely beneficial for families across the country and I am really excited about working as part the founding team to make this a reality'
For more on the CAA and to be kept updated re the official launch date visit http://www.childrensactivitiesassociation.org/ or facebook.com/childrensactivitiesassociation or via twitter.com/ChildrensAAssoc ENDS
Notes for Editors For more information, case studies and background of the founding members, images and visuals please contact Suzanne Borrell on 07714 486 494 or email suzanne@whatson4.co.uk Visit http://www.childrensactivitiesassociation.org/ or facebook.com/childrensactivitiesassociation or twitter.com/ChildrensAAssoc for more Sbjan415