Australian Baby Hands gives parents a way of communicating with their babies before they learn to talk.

The idea grew from simple observation – parents noticed that friends who were deaf were using sign language with babies as young as four months old. Thirty years of research then showed that children introduced to signing tended to have a better vocabulary and,on average, a 12-point higher IQ by the age of eight.

Four years ago, Jackie Durnin wrote the first book on baby sign language designed for Australia. After selling more than 10,000 copies and introducing flashcards, posters and a DVD, she couldn’t keep up with requests to run classes all over the country. She decided to franchise and, after 15 months, she has five established franchisees and is poised for major growth.

We’re looking for enthusiastic people who are either parents or have experience working with children, she says. They may have used baby sign language or Auslan, but the most important thing is that they are passionate about communication and sharing that passion with parents and children. Running a class is not only about teaching signs – it’s about giving mothers and babies a chance to socialise, hear stories, sings songs and have fun.

Just $7,500 buys a ‘business in a box’ including two days’ comprehensive training on sign language, how to run classes, sales and marketing. There is ongoing online support and a franchise mentor calls once a week.

Durnin says she set a low price in order to attract attention and help the people with drive and ambition to establish what may be their first business venture. The only thing franchisees have to do is arrange insurance and find a venue, she says. Some start out at home, or visit existing mother-and-baby groups at home. Otherwise, any venue with easy access for prams and buggies is fine.

Franchisees may also run courses for staff at childcare centres. In centres where there are babies with different first languages, it can be very difficult for staff to understand what they want, continues Durnin. Baby sign language works across all languages, making life much easier for the staff and less frustrating for the babies. And, of course, it’s also incredibly cute to see!