#WIB – Q&A With Jessica Stafford Owner Of Clamber Club Sports Kempton Park

1. Can you please tell us more about your business?

A. Clamber Club Sports Kempton Park is an exciting and dynamic sensory, fine motor and gross motor programme that services Pre-schools in Kempton Park as either an intra or extra mural activity. Our Sports Classes for Pre-schoolers cater from 2 years to 6-year-olds. Classes are divided into age-appropriate groups called Jumpers, Joggers and Runners.

We develop and consolidate sensory skills, fine motor skills and gross motor skills such as eye hand and eye foot coordination, body awareness, core strengthening, spatial skills, motor planning, visual tracking, bilateral integration and much, much more. These skills form the foundation of academic learning. Our mascot Jog the Frog and his best friends Funky Monkey and Leaping Lila presents each weekly class in a fun and challenging way which the children absolutely love! The programme uses a variety of imported equipment keeping learners interested and engaged. We also aim to develop healthy habits from as young as possible – exercise is good for your health, no matter how old you are!

Clamber Club is a very successful movement programme for pre-schoolers developed by occupational therapist Liz Senior. Clamber Club has been running classes throughout South Africa for over 30 years. It aims to promote learning through movement, to stimulate all the senses, and aims for children to develop a lifelong love for exercise.

2.When how and why did you start your business?

A. I bought over my Clamber Club Kempton Park Sports Franchise in October 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic. With the support of my family, I was able to follow my passion in working with children and instead of only teaching a class of 20, I was now able to reach so many more children. Previously I was a foundation phase teacher at a Nursery School in Kempton Park, having worked there for over 5 years I seized the opportunity to become my own boss and manage my own time.

3. What is your role in the business?

A. I am the Owner and Coach of Clamber Club Sports Kempton Park my roles include but are not subjected to:

Business developer, to connect and keep in touch with schools, principals, teachers, and parents.
Sales
Handling finances
Admin such as registers of participants, making notes on children’s progress each lesson, writing quarterly reports on children’s progress
Weekly updates of skills developed and pictures of children during the lesson sent to parents
Make lesson briefs that provide well-prepared and exciting sessions.
Practice song movements
Make homemade props if necessary
Make sure equipment is clean and sanitised and music for each lesson is downloaded.
Manage Staff
Promote gross motor skills in children providing worthwhile and effective programs as well as to energise, enthuse and inspire the children I work with. To also develop a lifelong love for exercise and healthy living amongst my learners.

4. Where did you study and what did you study?

A. I study at Oxbridge Academy and take the following courses:

Caring, Stimulating Childhood development, Nutrition, Health and Safety.

I am currently still studying for my national certificate: N4 Educare.

5. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

A. My average workday starts with me arriving at a school, I then unpack my equipment and set up for my lesson. My lesson lasts for 30 min where I teach a sensory motor program aimed at promoting the joy of movement, promoting perceptual motor as well as sensory motor skills. At the end of the lesson, I then sanitise all the equipment and set up for the next class. Depending on how many classes I have at each school I then do the same in between each lesson. I then pack up all the equipment once I am done and make sure the classroom or designated area is as I found it and drive to the next school to start the process all over again. Once I am finished with lessons for the day, I then make notes on all the children’s progress for the day, I send an update and pictures to the various school groups and parents. I then unpack, wash and pack equipment for the next days lesson.

6. How do you balance your home life and your work life?

A. This is a very tricky question and I have written a blog on just this, please see link below. I am a wife to a very supportive man and mother of three beautiful girls aged 7, 5 and 1. I believe any balance is about; Support, Boundaries, Rest and lots of Love and Laughs.

https://clamberclub.com/finding-your-work-life-balance-as-a-parent/

7. What drives you and inspires you?

A. My Husband, the influential woman in my life, blogs and podcasts, my own children, the children I teach/ taught.

8. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

A. These often come to me during my quiet time, whether it be driving in the car in silence, during prayer or meditation or early hours of the morning when my daughter wakes up for a snuggle.

9. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?

A. Word of mouth plays a very important role in my business where the Principals, Teachers, and Children at the schools I currently teach at are often my biggest marketers. The other children see how much fun their friends are having and want to join in. Social media is a proactive tool. Brand awareness of the Clamber Club Franchise is a huge bonus as it is already such a successful business model. Parent/Teacher conferences and Morning Meet and Greets are also a fantastic way to get numbers in.

10. What is next for your business?

I would like to expand my business to all the preschools in Kempton Park.
I would like to hire more staff to create a dynamic team in my franchise.
I would then like to expand my franchise to different areas.
I would hopefully one day like to run my own school.

11. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?

A. The best advice I could give any female entrepreneur hoping to start their own business would be to absolutely love what you are doing/ selling. Believe in yourself. To make sure you have a support system whether it be family, friends, or staff. Ask for help. Be willing to work hard EVERYDAY, especially in the beginning stages. To make sure you are consistent and responsive – this is key! Do not take anything personally. Take time out to rest and recuperate even if it’s 15min a day of personal time. To manage and plan your time effectively each day. Most of all Breath, my Moto is Que Se Ra, Se Ra. What will be will be. Lastly Rome was not built in a day but was built each day by doing small tasks… So Take 1 day at a time 😊