THE owner of a baby and toddler class franchise was chosen to visit China to help promote the business overseas.

Michelle Grzbiela took on the Baby Sensory franchise in Basingstoke 10 years ago, and now has a team of six who, between them, run 35 classes across the town.

The programme was the brainchild of Dr Lin Day, one of the UK's leading parenting experts, who designs the sessions to stimulate, educate and provide precious memories during the first years of a baby's life.

Classes include music, lights, massage, puppets and many sensory based activities, with each session adopting a different theme.

Michelle, a mother-of-two, has been training new franchisees, and said: "I get to meet potential candidates from other countries and that's how my relationship with China stemmed. They needed support over there and they wanted my support. I became a personal mentor for them."

The 34-year-old was then invited by Dr Day to accompany her to China to promote the Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense franchise at an annual conference.

There are 360 franchises across the UK and the business is now taking off in other countries, including China, America and Australia.

"As a company what we want to be is a worldwide brand," explained Michelle, "There should be the same standard wherever you book a class, hence the reason there is such rigorous training for new franchisees."

"China blew us away," she added, "they are really ahead of the game and parents are booking hundreds of sessions up front to guarantee their space. They have got centres out there so rather than being mobile they have four or five dedicated centres, all bespoke and kitted out beautifully."

Michelle visited the Chengdu province of China, where she held a Baby Sensory and Toddler Sense class live on stage at the conference, in front of hundreds of potential franchisees and delegates.

"It was like the Brit Awards," said Michelle, "We had an evening rehearsal where they tested the spotlights and we were presented with flowers. They were so grateful for our presence and were enthralled to have us there. I did five activities to give an idea of what the programme is about. I had a translator and was projected onto a big screen. Thankfully all the babies taking part were well behaved!"

Michelle also got to spend some time sightseeing during her nine day trip, and sampling the local cuisine, including chicken's feet.

She said the visit has inspired her to one day open a Baby Sensory centre in Basingstoke, adding: "That's my goal. It would be somewhere to offer a support network for expectant parents and new parents."

Michelle, a former dance teacher, took on the franchise when her two children were very young, and ran just four classes a week.

She has since worked hard to expand the business and transform it into a huge success in the Basingstoke area.

She said: "I love watching the magic happen when babies faces light up. I love doing things and people going 'wow'. It's amazing seeing the parents and their babies enjoying their time together because I know how precious those early days are. They are little for such a short time."

For more information, go to babysensory.com/basingstoke.