Gill Thomas, Founder and Managing Director of Jo Jingles Limited
In 1991, Gill Thomas was a young mother with two small children looking for an opportunity that would allow her to use her business skills, whilst leaving her with time to look after her family. You might describe this as wishful thinking but sometimes wishes do come true! She was also keen to find activities that would stimulate and interest her own children.
Gill already had extensive business experience from working as a national sales manger and brand promoter for Clarks and K Shoes and also had an active interest in music. Having researched pre-school educational and play activities she was well aware of the recognised benefits to children of being exposed to music at an early age and she started Musical Minors in her home town of Beaconsfield.
A second class soon followed in Maidenhead and the concept was welcomed by parents and children alike. These initial classes were so successful that in
1995 Gill decided to franchise the company under the name of Jo Jingles. The rest they say is history.!
Jo Jingles now provides music and singing classes with an educational slant for babies and children aged from 6 months to 5 years of
age (7 or 8 in some areas) in more than 500 centres around the country. The aim of a Jo Jingles class is to enhance a child's pre-school education by stimulating their interest and enjoyment of music using a series of
varied and fun-themed musical programmes.
Gill has steadily grown her national network and there are now over 100 franchisees operating throughout the UK and Ireland and we are continuing to grow. The organisation's professional approach has also been acknowledged by the British and Irish Franchise Association with Full Membership status being awarded to Jo Jingles Limited in 2001.
Learning through music is now widely recognised as being beneficial to children in their early years, helping with language, social and physical development and the demand for Jo Jingles classes increases every day. Gill's vision is for Jo Jingles to provide parents across the country with an invaluable service, the benefits of which can be easily identified when children start full-time education.
