Mum who launched Tots Play Conwy Coast in 2021 wins major award

Tots Play Conwy Coast, run by Sarah Davies, was named winner of the Customer Excellence of the Year category. 

The group was launched in May 2021 after Sarah, a qualified primary school teacher who has taught in schools in both the UK and Dubai, decided to explore a "gap in the market" when she had her daughter Aria, now aged two. 

Sarah, who is married to Danny-Lee Davies and is pregnant with baby number two, said: "We started off with two classes per week and I now run up to 15 classes per week in my own venue in Mochdre. I have invested in all of the sensory and physical play resources for all of our families to access and provide a safe and inviting environment for babies as young as six-days-old until four years old when they start school.

"I offer my time to speak to each and every parent who comes each week. As for some, this has been their only interaction with another adult all week.

"I’ve helped new mums who have been going through postnatal depression and supported them through a difficult time and I offer my advice to those with pre-school children on activities to keep them stimulated and engaged when they are at home."

The Wales Children Activities and Services Awards were held on October 15 at a black-tie affair at Swansea.com Stadium. 

Sarah, 31, a former John Bright School pupil, said: "I was contacted about entering the awards and had to send off my story to the judges who then selected five finalists in each category. I was nominated for two awards; Customer Excellence of the Year and Franchise of Year.

"I was over the moon to be nominated as we are the first group in North Wales to win against the tough competition down South. It’s great to put North Wales on the map and also great to be providing these essential classes to babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

"I was completely overwhelmed [to win] although I think the pregnancy hormones definitely contributed to the tears.

"It has been a mission of mine since having my daughter to set up sensory classes.

"I gave birth in April 2020 and was completely isolated from all other new mums because of the lockdown. When we eventually could attend groups with our babies I noticed a real lack of these types of groups and felt like the children and parents of North Wales deserved to access these.

"In England, parents are spoilt for choice with classes and I’m really pleased that there have been so many classes which have been set up since Tots Play Conwy launch in May 2021.

"As for the award of Customer Excellence of the Year, the whole reason and purpose for these classes are my tots and their families so to win such an award is a huge achievement for me."

Tots Play Conwy Coast started off with about 20 babies and toddlers attending each week. 

Sarah now has 180 along with their mums/dads/guardians attending each week.

"I am so grateful to each and every family who has trusted me to provide these classes for their babies and children," Sarah added. 

"I genuinely did not expect my little business to grow this quickly and I’m overwhelmed every time I have fully booked classes. It really does mean the world to me.

"I have had parents attend classes from as far as Ellesmere Port and Trearddur Bay on Anglesey.

"We run: Baby Development Course - suitable from birth to six months. A course for new parents and babies, where we teach Baby Massage, calming techniques, tummy time techniques, Baby Yoga, Baby Sign Language and introduce Babies to sensory play.

"Discovery Tots - suitable from eight weeks - confident crawlers Including yoga, sign language, sensory play and story massage.

"Social Tots - suitable from actively crawling - two-and-a-half years Including yoga, sign language, sensory play, cognitive activities and developing social skills and Action Tots - suitable from two to four years where we teach balance bike riding skills, develop fine and gross motor skills as well as working on balance and coordination."

Sarah has been able to employ someone who will be taking over classes for her when she has her baby. Sensory play sessions will be launched for children with additional needs.

Sarah also plans on bringing her classes to Denbighshire in the near future.