insideKENT Magazine Issue 137 - September 2023 | Page 188

BUSINESS

Kent

SMALL BUSINESSES

MEET THE SMALL BUSINESSES CHAMPIONING LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ...
Sunnydene Tutoring
From starting out seven years ago with just two students in tow to now having a team of her own and working directly with over 100 children each year , it is safe to say Jeni Smith has accomplished what she set out to do and more . Owning a great insight into the psychology and development of children ’ s learning through an education degree , experience as a primary school teacher and being a mum of two , Jeni decided that instead of being a class teacher she wanted to use her skills to support children alongside their school-based education . Taking her passions for learning through play alongside other effective strategies to provide children with expert and tailored one-to-one care , promoting self-confidence and ability , Sunnydene Tutoring focuses primarily on preparation for The Kent Test . The company also offers other general support in English and maths , working from Jeni ’ s own dedicated learning room at her home in Faversham , with other tutors in the team covering the surrounding areas across Kent to visit pupils ' homes . Jeni is extremely proud of her team and of course their growing students . “ The Sunnydene Tutoring teaching team excel at boosting confidence !” She says . “ We ’ re all experts in identifying the gaps in children ’ s existing knowledge – and supporting them to fill those gaps - as well as in providing the perfect level of challenge for more able pupils whose parents would like them to be stretched a little further .”
www . sunnydene-tutoring . co . uk SunnydeneTutoring
Ellen Tufts Studio
Beginning her journey in 2021 during her final term of university , Ellen Russell founded Ellen Tufts Studio , an independent tufting and textile design studio specialising in creating joyful and tactile textile pieces as well as running workshops . With a background in art and textiles , firstly in screen printing and digital print , then moving into the world of punch needle embroidery and subsequently tufting , Ellen is well equipped for the changes to the artistic industry and is passionate about creative textiles and wanting to share it with others . Offering tufting workshops , when yarns are pushed through fabric with a motorised tool called a tufting gun to create a rug effect , as well as punch needle classes , a type of skilled needlework , she provides the opportunity to learn a new skill and explore one ' s own creativity with educational group sessions held either in the studio or in private spaces . When asked what advice she would give to anyone looking to start their own Kent small business , Ellen touched on the importance of connecting with others . “ Definitely talk to people in a similar position , or further ahead than you . Connecting with other people in Thanet ’ s creative community really has been a blessing and helped me so much with the daunting task of starting a small business on my own .”
www . ellentuftsstudio . com ellen _ tufts _ studio
Olivia Lili ’ s Classroom
Gathering her expert knowledge learned from over 12 years as a primary school teacher , Emma Brookes began Olivia Lili ’ s Classroom in just May of this year , a small business dedicated to aiding children ’ s education by creating helpful , personalised and fun resources . After the arrival of her daughter , Emma decided to take a step back from the classroom to spend more time with her growing family . Her new adventure , beginning with making resources for her nephew before he started school , soon sparked the idea of bringing her creations to other families . Named after her new arrival , an Etsy shop was set up and Emma ’ s ‘ My Learning Box ’ was passionately made and available to purchase . “ Each one has a different focus , e . g . starting school , reading , maths etc . There are many more Learning Boxes on the way to cater for different interests and learning needs ,” she says . “ I offer purposeful resources , all of which can be personalised and customised , using my knowledge and experience in education to ensure that they are in line with the National Curriculum and therefore link directly to the learning taking place in the classroom .” Emma looks forward to building her collection to help more families with all forms of home learning , as well as spending lots of time with her growing little one !
OliviaLilisClassroom olivia _ lilis _ classroom
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