Helping Local Kids to Laugh and Learn for 21 Years

Words and Photo Anthony Maguire

Back in the early 2000s, two Eastern Suburbs mothers with children at the same primary school found they had some things in common. Both were teachers interested in building on their education careers to start a business.

Chatting at the edge of the playground, Anne-Maree Keogh and Tanya Brabrook started hatching a model for a business that would specialise in children’s toys and books that were fun, educational and environmentally-friendly. After some brainstorming, they came up with the name Laugh and Learn.

The entrepreneurial pair started the business in 2002 and initially it operated without a bricks and mortar shop.

“We based it on a party plan model,” Tanya explained to The Beast.

“We would load up our cars and have toy demonstrations at people’s homes, but then it got a bit hectic and we decided we needed retail premises to operate on a daily basis.”

In 2003, they opened the Laugh and Learn shop at Randwick Junction. In fact, it’s more than a shop. The business takes up three floors, with a preschool music and movement program (Ukubebe) and singing lessons for all ages (Unlock Your Voice) operating out of the lower level, while the floor above the shop is given over to a phonics program called Letterland, which teaches early reading skills to children the year before they start school. There is also a specialised teacher who tutors primary school children in numeracy and literacy.

As anyone who has ever been to the Avoca Street shop will know, the offerings on its shelves are vastly different to what you find in the toy sections at the shopping centre retail giants. There’s an emphasis on European brands such as Djeco, Maileg, Corolle, Playmobil, Grimms and Janod. These are the kind of toys that get adults playing together with their children.

“We love quality brands that can be passed down to the next child or even the next generation,” Anne-Maree told The Beast.

“The focus is on imaginative, open-ended play and toys with a purpose.”

Books are a huge part of what Laugh and Learn offers, and there are books for all ages, from babies right up to young adults.

Meanwhile, the business has become deeply involved in local community endeavours, such as playing Santa to sick kids at the Sydney Children’s Hospital each Christmas through the Forever Johnno charity.

“Small business helps a community thrive, and we are truly grateful to our local community for supporting us over the years” said Tanya.

“We also wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our wonderful staff - we are so lucky.”

Readers of The Beast are invited to join Laugh and Learn’s 21st birthday festivities on Saturday, September 2 in the shop at 207 Avoca Street, Randwick. The event will run throughout the day, with face painting, entertainment, giveaways and of course plenty of cake. Please come and celebrate!

Expert Eastern Suburbs property manager

Jillian Wills has just joined the team at Wills Property, a boutique real estate agency based in Bondi Junction. Jillian has managed countless properties in the Eastern Suburbs over a 30-year career, formerly at Wills Brothers.

"Once you've lived in the East you tend to stay in the East. It has everything you need and the locals are great to work with. It's a pleasure to continue doing the job I enjoy, in the area I call home, with family again!"

The Wills family have been working in property, offering personal client-based service in the Eastern Suburbs since 1934.

PHONE 02 9387 1700

EMAIL jillian@willsproperty.com.au