Everything’s just Dandy bringing on young minds at classes

Within her first year of opening Dandy Develop-ments, Nikki Sayers has scooped two business awards.

She has won the national What’s on 4 Junior 2012 Award for Best Local Activity for Under-5s.

And Nikki also picked up the Netmums.com Warwickshire and Coven-try’s Favourite Preschool class award, being the only independent pre-school class in the final six.

Nikki, of Weston-under-Wetherley, said: “The classes are a winning combination of baby sign, music, sensory fun and simple, yet effective, speech and language therapy techniques that can boost early communication.

“I love showing parents how simple techniques can boost early development and it is so rewarding to watch little ones begin their journey to successful communication.”

Nikki was a primary school teacher for 11 years before she decided to stay at home with her two children, now aged three and five. She said one way to encourage development is more eye contact and when reading a story sit the baby in front of you instead of on the lap. “And when they attempt to make sounds or interact with you reward them with lots of encouragement.”

Classes are from aged four months to walking and then aged up to two and a half.

They are at Holy Trinity church, Beauchamp Avenue, Leamington, until October when they return to St Paul’s in Leicester Street, Barford memorial hall, Offchurch village hall, and Long Lawford memorial hall.