Tappy Toes at Sea – Onboard the Ventura

As Tappy Toes partners with P&O ferries to deliver dance classes to under-5 passengers, franchisor Claire Munday talks about how Tappy Toes came to be and the story behind the popular children’s dance franchise.

Founded in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire in 2002, TappyToesisanenergetic,creativeand fun,award-winningpre-schooldanceclassfor girls and boys aged 6 months to 5 years. Franchisor Claire Munday discusses aboard the P&O ferries ‘Ventura’, the story of the TappyToesfranchise...

As I sit here onboard the Ventura, I am looking around and reflecting on how far Tappy Toes has come!

How it Started

I remember talking to my friend Vicki about the idea of Tappy Toes, over 20 years ago. I asked her ‘Doyou thinkanyone wouldwanta dance classforatwoyearold? ’

She 100% believed in me and the Tappy Toes brand, to the extent where she lent me the £250 needed to get the name trademarked! That’s where this journey began. It was created by a local printer in Watford where I lived at the time. I bought 10 yellow t-shirts from H&M aged 2-3 years, took them to the local printer and asked him to print Tappy Toes on them.

I had no idea about logos, or branding, or websites or anything business related at all really! But I just knew I wanted to get little people dancing!

He created the logo and said ‘How about this ’ I said ‘Greatthanks!’ and that was that. 10 x yellow t-shirts, with Tappy Toes written across them in red.

Our first logo was created for free, in about 10 minutes, by a very helpful printer! I realised I needed to get some flyers printed as well to spread the word, again, no idea about design or branding.

So, there I was teaching my toddler dance classes in Watford, Hertfordshire (where I lived) and soon branching out to Rickmansworth too, due to demand, and then Bushey.

Top Left: Tappy Toes franchisor Claire Munday Below: The very first Tappy Toes logo

Never did I imagine that years later, I’d have 21 franchises (and counting) across the UK and be sending teachers onboard P&O cruises delivering our fabulous classes!

During the Covid lockdowns, I started revamping our syllabus and tweaking things to make it even better. I really am proud of the lesson plans that we have, that are completely unique to Tappy Toes.

We’ve had bespoke Warm up and Goodbye songs written for us, which I absolutely love.I have really had to pinch myself and am so proud that babies and toddlers near and far are enjoying the Tappy Toes syllabus delivered through the extended 45 minute sessions.

Having danced all my life, it is obviously something I am extremely passionate about, so being able to share in so many children’s first experience of dance, is such a privilege. I really feel that a Tappy Toes class could spark a lifelong love of dance in children, and what a healthy hobby to maintain.

I have big plans for the Tappy Toes brand, so do watch this space!

If you can see yourself running dance classes for children in your local area and being your own boss, then why not find out more about becoming a franchisee with Tappy Toes?

Request a prospectus and schedule a call with Claire to learn more about opportunities near you.