Case Study - Kunbi Osinoiki

I first heard about Jo Jingles when I stumbled on their website in a desperate search for childcare for my son. My husband was changing jobs, which meant yet another house move. As my son was due to start school soon, I was keen to find flexible after-school childcare that would enable me to continue working full time.

It soon became obvious that there was very little after-school provision in my new town, and none of them were particularly affordable. I was faced with the stark choice between my career as a Technical Consultant in an IT company or less than satisfactory arrangements for my son's after school care. Jo Jingles offered the perfect alternative in that it provided an opportunity to pursue a rewarding career, which was flexible enough to fit around my family commitments.

Originally from Nigeria, I came to Britain in 1991 to continue my studies in Economics. I graduated with an honours degree and went on to study for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), which I passed with distinction. I was aged 5 when I first started learning to play the piano and around 8 when I started formal singing lessons back in Nigeria. I sat and passed every Royal Associated Board examination for the Piano up to Grade 5. I stopped my formal piano lessons aged 16 in order to concentrate on exams for gaining entry into university but kept up my singing over the years. I have always been involved in choirs right from secondary school throughout my time at University and as a leisure pursuit alongside my career. I have also always been involved with children particularly in my role as Sunday School teacher over the years.

Although my background in IT and before that, in Management Training proved invaluable to my new career in Jo Jingles, nothing could prepare my for the initial upheaval that came with it. Just like any other start-up entrepreneur, I found that I had to work round the clock initially to get the business up and running – this was compounded by the fact that I allowed myself only 6 weeks to set it up from when I quit my job. Luckily, Jo Jingles Head Office and the other franchisees were very supportive in the early months and helped see me through.

I consider myself really lucky to be part of an organisation like Jo Jingles and to share in its success. Jo Jingles really does have a proven, successful method for teaching musical principles to young children and it's a joy to see the children grow in confidence and ability during their time with us.

Also, the organisation's commitment to your individual success is second to none what with the regular visits from Head Office personnel and the termly training sessions. It is also very comforting to know that I can pick up the phone and call any franchisee – whether or not I can put a face to their name – to ask for advice and ideas.

The financial rewards are not to be compared with my previous job and I have had to learn to live with considerably less money than I was used to. However, I am able to spend more time with my family and it's a bonus that I have been able to develop relationships with some very special little people and their families. I wouldn't swap any of it for the world.