Our sparkling collection of awards
Throughout the years, babyballet has been recognised for a sparkling collection of awards for many different reasons! From Franchise Business winners, to Business Woman of the Year, Local Business Awards and Best Dance Class Awards. The list goes on, and we have noted them all below to show to you with pride.
2022 club hub award winner
On Saturday 14 May 2022, babyballet owner and co-founder, Claire O’Connor, was awarded Leader Of The Year!
barbara peters has been awarded the british empire medal for services to dancing in the new year honours.
At 83, and with a lifetime of dancing behind her, Mrs Peters has helped inspire thousands of young people. She made her first moves at the age of two and later became a dance teacher in Huddersfield.
“I have loved dancing all my life,” said Mrs Peters
Some 40 years later, in 2005, mrs peters and her daughter claire, launched “babyballet” which grew to become the uk’s leading pre-school dance brand.
What’s On 4 Kids 2021 – 3rd year in a row!
babyballet® have now won in this category ‘Most loved music, dance or performing arts activity, franchisor or independent with 20+ leaders overall’, for three years in a row!
Our amazing franchisee, Miss Kate, also won the ‘Remarkable Achievement Award’, and our wonderful franchisee, Miss Laura, was nominated for the ‘Franchise territory’ award.⠀⠀
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Business Chameleon 2021
babyballet Biggleswade and Bedford is celebrating success at the SME Luton & Bedfordshire Business Awards 2021
The local franchise of the company first set up in 2005 on the belief that children’s experiences with ballet should be fun, won the Silver Award in the Business Chameleon category.
Entreprenuer Of The Year – WALES 2021
babyballet’s Miss Holly has been shortlisted as a finalist at the Wales Children’s Activities and Services 2021, in association with principal sponsor Beaming Babies UK. The awards are the only dedicated awarding body for the children’s activities sector in Wales and recognises the fantastic work undertaken by children’s clubs, groups and service providers for the benefit of children and families.
Inspirational Woman Of The Year and Overall Woman In Franchising Of The Year 2021
Our founder & CEO, Claire O’Connor, became a finalist in not one, but TWO categories in the prestigious Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) Awards 2021.
Most outstanding infant dance school 2020 is awarded to babyballet® cardiff
Miss Holly opened the doors to babyballet Cardiff in March 2019, and in September 2020 her babyballet dance school received ‘OUTSTANDING’ recognition in the SME News Elite Business Awards.
At babyballet, we believe that our unique children’s dance concept is one of the best preschool classes in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore – and it seems that others agree. Here are just some of the awards and nominations that we are very proud to have received since the babyballet magic began.
What’s On 4 Kids Activities Awards 2020
On Thursday 9th October 2020, babyballet® was victorious in FOUR award categories at the What’s On 4 Kids Activities Awards 2020.
These pioneering awards were launched in 2007 to celebrate the UK’s best children’s clubs and classes, along with leaders and volunteers – as nominated and voted for by the experts – parents, carers and parents-to-be.
In 2020, more than any other year, these National awards are an important recognition of the crucial role children’s activities play in the lives of families across the UK – and how the dedicated people who make these activities possible have done everything they can to keep classes running online during lockdown – and now are getting back to in-class sessions that are safe and just as beneficial to the health and well-being of children and parents.
The whole babyballet® network was so proud to receive the title of MOST LOVED MUSIC, DANCE OR PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITY – Franchisor or Independent, taught by 20+ leaders, for the second year running!
Not to mention, the team at babyballet Dartford Bexley Bromley brought home the title for the Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity – Franchise or License Territory. This is credit to their dedicated and passionate team; run by Miss Jessie, who is an inspiration to everyone that has the pleasure of meeting her.
Our much-loved babyballet® teacher Miss Jade, has been titled the Most Loved Activity Leader or Business Manager in South East England, and we are simply ecstatic about this well deserved recognition.
Finally, babyballet® Marketing Manager Lucy Crabtree, received the Remarkable Achievement Award for her contribution to charity fundraising, that has seen almost £1 million pounds raised, for the likes of Tommy’s, Caudwell Children, BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief: Red Nose Day.
Huge congratulations are also in order to our special finalists, the whole team at babyballet Bristol South, East, West, Miss Victoria from babyballet Bristol South, East, West, and also Miss Holly from babyballet Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich West.
Tommy’s Awards 2019
babyballet® won the Community Diamond Award for the dedication of our entire network who have gone above and beyond to raise outstanding amounts for Tommy’s.
What On 4 Kids 2019
The babyballet® Brand WON …
Most Loved Music, Dance and Performing Arts Franchisor or Independent with 30+ Leaders at the WO4K Awards 2019.
AND a special recognition to Miss Rosalia from babyballet Derbyshire Central who won Most Loved Activity Leader.
HOOP Awards 2019
We are excited to announce that babyballet Didsbury, babyballet Dartford, Bexley and Bromley and babyballet Romford Central, Brentwood, Billericay and Chelmsford, all WON …
Best Music, Dance and Drama in their respective areas at the Hoop Awards 2019.
Mum and Working Awards 2018
babyballet® received Highly Commended for Best International Flexible Business and Miss Lauren from babyballet Biggleswade and Bedford was awarded Highly Commended Most Inspiring Business Parent at the Mum and Working Awards!
Loved By Children 2018
We are officially Loved By Children’s Platinum award-winner for Best Children’s Class 2018!
This is such fantastic recognition for all of our wonderful and hard-working teachers and franchisees.
Tommy’s Awards 2018
We were recognised as runner up for Best Family Friendly Children’s Activity Provider at the Tommy’s Awards 2018.
EWIF Awards 2018
Miss Leanne from babyballet Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud Five Valleys was one of the amazing finalists for New Woman Franchisee Award.
Whats On 4 Kids Awards 2018
We are over the moon to have been able to see 2 of our lovely babyballet dance teachers receive awards at the WO4K Awards 2018.
Miss Nicky from babyballet Greenwich and Dulwich was finalist for Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Unders 5’s in London.
Miss Jocasta from babyballet Dartford, Bexley and Bromley was awarded Highly Commended for Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5’s in the South East.
Our very own babyballet® DVD was also awarded Highly Commended as Best Product Supporting Children’s Activities at Home.
Also at the Whats On 4 Kids Awards 2018, babyballet® Founder and CEO, Claire O’Connor WON the Industry Champion of the Year award which was a super special award for the brand and Miss Claire herself.
Boston Standard Business Awards 2018
Miss Nina from babyballet Boston WON Business Person of the Year and we could not be more proud of this amazing achievement!
Best UK Baby and Toddler Class 2017
We are dancing with delight at winning ‘Platinum’ for the Best Baby / Toddler Class 2017 in the prestigious Loved By Parents awards.
Business Person of the Year (2015)
Founder Claire O’Connor was thrilled to pick up the top prize at the prestigious Halifax Courier Business Awards.
Retail Business of the Year (2015)
Founder Claire O’Connor was extremely proud to win the award for Retail Business of the Year at the glittering Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards.
Dance Brand & Dance Franchise of the Year (2015)
We were immensely proud to scoop ‘Dance Franchise of the Year’ and ‘Dance Brand of the Year’ at The Dance Teacher Hub Awards.
Most Outstanding Activity Leader (2015)
babyballet teacher Emily Waddell won a national award for her outstanding teaching in the International What’s On 4 Junior Awards.
Best Small to Medium Enterprise (2015)
The Halifax Courier Business Awards is a glitzy ceremony to celebrate the best in business so we were delighted to win this award.
Best Baby/Toddler Class (2014)
We were over the pink and blue babyballet moon to win the Loved By Parents national award for the ‘Best Baby/Toddler Class’ for the second year running!
Dance School of the Year (2013)
We were delighted to be in the shortlist for the International Dance Supplies ‘Dance School of the Year 2013’ award.
Best Baby/Toddler Class (2013)
We were skipping with delight to win the Loved By Parents National award. Especially as it voted for by parents & carers – those at the heart of our magical world.
Best Activity Class (2012)
Netmums is the most trusted parent’s site in the UK so it was an absolute privilege to win this accolade, voted for by parents and carers.
ITV’s ‘This Morning’ Mumpreneur
Our Founder, Claire O’Connor, scooped this high profile National award for combining her entrepreneurial skills to set up and build her business whilst bringing up her family of four children.
Entrepreneur of the Year (2008)
Halifax Courier
Young Business Person of the Year (2007)
Halifax Courier
Best Business Parent
Mum and Working Awards
Best Franchise
Mum and Working Awards
Best Interactive Business
Mumpreneur UK
Inspire Award
Claire O’ Connor received this award from Calderdale College for her services to the local community and dance industry.
Local Hero Award
Pulse Radio
