Mairi, owner of Boogie Beat Music and Movement Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian shares how she has created a family friendly work environment for her team.
At Boogie Beat Edinburgh, Mid and East Lothian, we’ve always believed that looking after our team is just as important as the fun and energy we bring to our classes. After all, we’re all about creating joy and connection for children and families — and that starts with having a happy, supported team behind the scenes.
Family First, Always
A lot of our team are parents who, before joining Boogie Beat, weren’t working because of family commitments. We totally get how tricky it can be to balance work, school runs, and everything else that comes with family life! That’s why we’ve shaped our roles to fit around those commitments, giving people the chance to do something they love without missing out on precious family time.
A great example of this is Karen, one of our wonderful class teachers. When her youngest started school last year, we sat down together to tweak her timetable — cutting down travel time and making space for her home-schooling days.
Another lovely example is Zoe, one of our other class teachers. She needed to adjust her afternoon availability so she could take her daughter to important appointments, and together we found a way to make that work. We also tweaked her start times so she could get to her second job in the afternoons without any stress.
It’s all about teamwork — sitting down together, talking things through, and creating a timetable that works for everyone. When the team feels supported and balanced, everything else just flows naturally.
Open, Honest, and Always Listening
Communication is such a big part of who we are at Boogie Beat. Whether it’s through our WhatsApp group, email, or our private Facebook page, we keep in touch regularly so nobody feels left out. Everyone’s encouraged to share ideas, give feedback, and help shape how we grow.
We’ve also got clear policies and support in place (with brilliant help from Hannah at Boogie Beat Head Office!) so that everyone knows where to turn if an issue pops up. That openness really helps keep our team feeling connected, respected, and valued.
Health and Wellbeing Matter
Life happens — we all know that! Illnesses, childcare hiccups, or just one of those weeks — it’s part of real life, and we’re here to support each other through it. If someone needs time off to rest or care for a little one, we make it work. Family and health come first, always.
Equal Opportunities for Everyone
We’re proud to have a diverse and inclusive team at Boogie Beat. Everyone is paid equally, and we love that our team represents a range of ages and backgrounds. In fact, one of our team members is 61, showing that age is never a barrier to bringing joy and creativity to children!
Learning and Growing Together
We’re big believers in giving our team the chance to grow. This year, every single team member has had the opportunity to complete Makaton Level 1 training, helping us make our classes even more inclusive for all children. Some are now going on to Levels 2 and 3, which we’re funding too! On top of that, Karen and Lynsey have both completed Paediatric First Aid training, ensuring we’re always ready and confident in every session.
Work-Life Balance — The Boogie Beat Way
We often hear from our team that Boogie Beat has given them a way to work they never thought possible — flexible, fulfilling, and family-friendly. And that’s exactly what we aim for. By keeping communication open and focusing on wellbeing and flexibility, we’ve built a workplace where people can truly thrive.
Because when our team is happy, healthy, and supported, that energy shines through in every class, workshop, and party we run. And at the end of the day, that’s what Boogie Beat is all about — spreading joy, creativity, and connection, both for our families and within our team.
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