Josh Brown, Foundation Sports & Play: “Since the cost of living crisis has come up, parents are finding our childcare so beneficial." Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: June 21, 2023 | Updated: 20th June 2023
Josh Brown sometimes can’t quite believe how far his business has come.
The 32-year-old has seen numbers soar for Foundation Sports & Play, offering sports coaching and also childcare.
The May half-term saw the business operate across three venues in Dorset with between 180 and 190 children per day attending the holiday camp sessions.
Record numbers are anticipated this summer.
A far cry from seven years ago when Josh had to cancel camps because of low numbers.
Meanwhile his first franchisee, James Woffindin, has seen his venture, Foundation Play in Fareham & Portsmouth, go from strength to strength.
Launched last year, it broke records for weekly attendance, welcoming on average more than 50 children a day during the May half-term.
James, pictured with Josh, said: “Having averaged ten a day during the Christmas/winter camp, we are really proud of this development in such a short time.
“We are projecting even more growth this summer, with attendance expected to hit 70 on some days.
“We are already Fareham’s most popular holiday club and are on the lookout for more sites across Fareham and Portsmouth.”
Foundation Sports coaches thousands of children a week across Dorset and Hampshire.
Meanwhile Foundation Play provides wraparound care for schools for breakfast and after-school clubs.
Its Dorset venues are Avonwood and Epiphany schools in Bournemouth and BCS Preparatory in Poole.
Each is Ofsted-registered, checked and inspected.
Josh, who is married to Ali and has two young children, said: “We focus on craft, dance and all these different type of things.
“We provide children with meals and snacks and then there’s a holiday club as well.
“Since the cost of living crisis has come up, parents are finding our childcare so beneficial.
“It helps them to go out, work longer hours and earn more money.”
Future plans include expanding Foundation Play by finding new franchisees.
Josh said: “We’re looking for more ways to innovate and add value to our business.
“I’m very excited about the future.”
