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Out and About

Out and About

We’re so pleased to have Rugbytots’ David Grainey with us for our Early Years issue. He talks to us about family life, the benefits of Rugbytots and top days out.

Hi, I’m David Grainey and the new owner of the Rugbytots Franchise for Stirling and Clackmannanshire. I have three beautiful daughters; Isabella aged 9, Rosie aged 2, and Penny aged 10 months. I run the Franchise along with my Fiancée, business partner and mother of my youngest two, Aileen Stewart. We stay in Cowie, Stirling. We’ve been running the Franchise for the last six months and look forward to growing the brand and classes throughout the area over the years to come. You can contact us on 0345 313 0424 or david.grainey@rugbytots.co.uk

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Can you tell us a bit more about Rugbytots? Rugbytots is an educational play programme teaching children everything from colours, shapes and numbers to hand-eye coordination, balance, sharing, discipline and listening. Our motto is to make it more fun. We do this through structured play sessions, engaging children’s imaginations and playful natures to help develop key skills such as pass, catch, kick, run with the ball and play in a team. We currently run our classes in a number of different venues; Cambusbarron Community Centre, Lornshill Academy (Alloa), Dunblane, Bannockburn, Bridge of Allan, Gartmore. We also run sessions for nurseries and schools. Why do wee ones love Rugbytots so much? According to feedback, it’s because the sessions are so much fun. We are able to interact with the kids and parents and make the classes engaging for everyone. We play and create games that interest them and their imaginations run wild. Our coaches are great at not taking themselves too seriously and making sure everyone feels welcome and safe. The children don’t always realise it but they are learning through play. They also make new friends and build confidence. Why do you like living where you do? We live in a quiet corner of Cowie, close to nursery and schools and within a 15-20 minute drive of both sets of Grandparents. Also, as my eldest daughter stays in nearby Fallin, it is very handy. We feel that Cowie is well placed to allow us links across the Central belt for classes and bigger cities. Cowie benefits from play parks and a skate park, along with good areas for long walks/runs.

Favourite shop? I’m going to let Aileen answer this as she does the shopping! Aldi (we have shopped in the big three and found that it is more affordable. Also, over the years, the quality of goods has improved) and Primark (due to having young children who grow out of clothes and have a habit of making a mess, we find they are affordable and allow us to replace items more regularly than some of the bigger branded shops). Favourite park? King’s Park, Stirling. Lots of space and fields to play in – and a great park for all ages. We have used the tennis courts in the summer and run taster sessions from the playing fields. It is also a great day out when the ice cream truck is on site and the sun is out. As well as Rugbytots, any top kids’ clubs & classes? We took our little ones to Baby Sensory and found this to be a great introduction to classes and child development. Other than that, we have Rosie (2) at Rugbytots and feel that she greatly benefits from the classes. Can’t go wrong with Rugbytots! Top day out with kids? Isabella loves the cinema, bowling or swimming. The two youngest are happy at a park or soft play, though we always look forward to our annual trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park and also Wellsfield Farm in Denny. Also, as we have to travel into Aberfoyle, Callander and surrounding areas to promote the business, sometimes a family day out in the car driving around the Trossachs is a great day out too. Favourite night out without kids? Night out without kids? What’s that? For us, we do enjoy a cinema trip and a meal. However, we also enjoy going to the rugby matches if and when we can.

Best children’s DVD, TV show or app? Disney, Mr Tumble, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Funniest thing your children have ever done? We are very lucky and have great kids who crack us up all the time. They play off each other to be hilarious and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Favourite family holiday spot? We haven’t really had a family holiday in general due to circumstances and business, though managed a weekend or two in a caravan over the last year. A holiday is definitely on the cards and something we would love to do. We all want to go to Disneyland and aim to take the kids away as soon as we can save up. Most loved children’s book? Isabella enjoys Amelia Jane books, Rosie’s favourite is ‘WOW! Said the Owl’ and Penny enjoys any that make a noise! I enjoyed all the Harry Potter books but Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and David Gemmell novels are my favourites. No parent should be without… Nappy bags and wet wipes. Do not be caught short! Most played with toys: Teddy. It has to go everywhere. Rosie cannot be without! Penny has her blanket. They all enjoy playing with the play kitchen set and colouring in. Best advice you’ve ever received? In Business – always reinvest. Build your business by reinvesting. In Life – spend time with family; they will make you happiest.

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