meet the team

TLG is not just fun, it’s Serious Fun! I have always been passionate about education and as a child I always played the ‘teacher’. I researched and studied child development theorists such as Piaget and Vygotsky in University and beyond. My passion to teach led me to university where I studied a BSc in Psychology and Biology and further studied a PGCE in Science. I then spent the next 20 years teaching Psychology and Biology in the UK and internationally.

I always loved teaching but there was something missing. It wasn’t until my nephews visited that I realised what it was. They had been part of The Little Gym overseas and when they moved back to the UK they asked Jo when they would be going back to class. Jo explained that there were no gyms in the North West. She told me how special The Little Gym was and we went together with the boys to visit one of the Gyms in the UK. I was blown away from the minute I walked through the doors, the children’s excitement as they waited for their class to start, with their little faces pressed up against the glass, willing the gym doors to open. That’s when our adventure together started.

We have since spent time in many of the UK gyms. The level of excitement in every single Gym and class is the same. One of pure joy to be part of The Little Gym. From singing, dancing, bubbles, tumbling, cartwheeling, super hero capes and animal adventures the fun never ends. I fully believe in the importance of play in helping children to learn and develop and TLG offers just that through a well sequenced engaging curriculum. – Jody

My whole life is centered around child development, wellbeing, fitness and fun. I have worked within leadership in the early years education sector worldwide for over 15 years.

The Little Gym to me is the most child centered, natural and authentic way to learn. Trusting in and learning about your own bodies movements as you develop big skills, building positive relationships in a nurturing and enabling environment, being part of an inspiring, pioneering curriculum full of play, imagination and skill development, that boosts confidence and self esteem, what else could we want for our children?

My Little Gym journey began, with my own children. Benjamin and Theodore were Little Gym members themselves since 4 months old. As a child development practitioner living overseas The Little Gym was for me the one place I felt safe and secure, the only place that I could trust a team with my own children.

The Little Gym is a place where child development and serious fun came together in the most magical space. The first thing that struck me was the friendly, knowledgable, inspirational and patient instructors. The Little Gym was a purpose created facility inspired by a natural flow of childrens movements that gave my children the ability to move around full sized equipment whilst immersed in a multi sensory environment, follow their natural curiosities, make friends and have a huge sense of achievement all in one place. We really felt a part of something special.

My favourite thing about the Little Gym is sharing a community with so many families that understand the benefits of the Little Gym curriculum, that share the same family values and have the highest aspirations for children and young people.

I am so excited to work with Jody to bring The Little Gym Widnes to the Halton and Cheshire community. Hold onto your hats- there’s going to be lots of big skills and thrills along the way. – Joanne