At Basking Babies, we’re continuing to grow our nurturing network of franchisees – bringing parent-and-baby classes to families across the UK.
We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of three new franchisees: Natalie Williams, launching Basking Babies in Chichester, Gemma Debnam, launching Basking Babies in Kent, and Becky Stead, who has taken over our much-loved Chelmsford territory.
All three are former teachers and devoted mums, and are are blending their passion for education with their love of supporting families through the early stages of parenthood. Their classes will provide local parents with a warm, welcoming space to connect, unwind and enjoy the magic of bonding with their babies.
After more than 16 years in education – including time spent teaching internationally in Hong Kong and working as an assistant headteacher – Gemma decided to step back to focus on her family after having her second child. When she spotted a lack of local classes for parents and babies, she saw an opportunity to combine her teaching experience with her passion for helping families thrive. Drawn to our strong sense of community and supportive network, Gemma is excited to launch her own classes and create a welcoming space where parents can connect.
“After leaving teaching to focus on my family, I really missed that sense of purpose and connection that comes from helping others learn and grow. When I discovered Basking Babies, it just felt right – everything I loved about education, but in a way that fits around my life as a mum. I can’t wait to build something special for local families, creating a calm and supportive space where parents can come together, share experiences and enjoy those precious early moments with their babies,” said Gemma.
Over in Essex, mum-of-two and former primary school teacher Becky Stead has taken the reins at our Chelmsford territory. Having first attended classes with her own little ones, Becky fell in love with the welcoming atmosphere and the positive impact our sessions had on both her and her babies. When the opportunity arose to take over the franchise from her instructor, she knew it was the perfect next step. Now, she’s excited to combine her teaching skills with her passion for supporting parents, continuing the legacy of a much-loved community hub where families can relax, bond and feel truly supported.
“I absolutely loved attending Basking Babies classes with my boys – they were such a positive part of my early motherhood journey. When I found out the Chelmsford franchise was available, it felt like fate. I wanted to create that same safe, supportive space for other parents to enjoy, where they can make friends and spend quality time with their babies. It’s such a rewarding feeling to be part of something that makes such a difference to families,” explained Becky.
Natalie Williams, new owner of our Basking Babies Chichester location, first discovered our classes with her own little girl. Inspired by the warmth and support she experienced, she is now excited to offer the same nurturing environment to other families in her community. With a professional background in early years education, Natalie brings a deep understanding of the vital role positive relationships play in a child’s development, something she hopes to champion during her sessions.
“I will always strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for you to bond with your baby and to connect with other mums. Our classes will be calm and gently paced, offering you space and time in your week to take a moment to relax…and enjoy a drink while it’s hot!” said Natalie.
As our family continues to expand, we remain dedicated to empowering more parents across the UK to feel confident, calm and connected through our award-winning sharing & support circles, baby massage, yoga, reflexology and relaxation classes.
“It’s always such a joy to welcome new franchisees into our growing Basking Babies family – people like Gemma, Becky and Natalie who bring so much passion, care and experience to their roles. All truly understand the difference our classes can make, not just for babies, but for parents too. Watching our network continue to grow with like-minded, supportive individuals who want to build meaningful connections in their communities is incredibly rewarding. It’s exactly what Basking Babies is all about,” added our founder, Carla Davison.
