Creative Wiz Kids was started in 1990 in New York City by Frances Bildner. A professional painter who has exhibited in Europe and the U.S., Frances’ philosophy is “learning through play not pressure”.
Frances started Creative Wiz Kids because she saw the number of playgroups that ignored the natural curiosity and creativity of children.
By basing her playgroups’ activities on children’s ability to learn through play, and their inherent desire to grow and explore, Creative Wiz Kids has become a centre for child-focussed learning and expression in London.
“Every child has an innate talent in art, which merely needs to be stimulated to grow.” – Frances Bildner
Ethos at Creative Wiz Kids
The Philosophy at Creative Wiz Kids is a simple one. Children are all natural artists and learn best in a relaxed unpressured environment. At Creative Wiz kids the emphasis is on the artistic process not on the finished product. Although our Wiz Kids have produced lovely work, it is in the process of “making” be it Art, Dancing or Acting where children gain the most benefit. Great Emphasis is placed on play and fun. In an increasingly hurried world, we at CWK believe it is essential that children are allowed and encouraged to enjoy the play and pleasures of childhood.
Artist and Poet, Frances Bildner, who started CWK in New York City in 1990 enthusiastically runs the programme in Hampstead and Notting Hill with her band of loyal helpers, all of whom have Arts backgrounds as well as loads of energy, experience and creativity to share with all Wiz Kids.
A Short Video About Creative Wiz Kids
Benefits
Social interaction / making great friendships / no tests or pressure / great confidence builder / childhood delights / emphasis on fun / A genuine arts programme run by genuine artists who interact well with kids! Come and be part of the “Creative Wiz Kids Experience!”
Our Team
The whole is much more than the sum of it’s part. Meet our Wiz Kids Team!
Leigh Curtis
Manager / Artist / Professional Cake Maker/ Nursery School Teacher
I am passionate about working at Creative Wiz Kids where I am currently the manager. After several years of experience in a managerial role in a large department store, I am currently a Nursery School Teacher with an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare and development. I have been working in education for fourteen years and am highly experienced. I am also an artist and professional cake maker and love to share those skills with the children I work with.
Florina David
Florina is a multidisciplinary artist and creative coach, who primarily works in visual arts, mixed media, photography and film. Her work has been exhibited locally and internationally. Her passion in working with people has enabled her to create and facilitate a wide range of workshops, where she applies the principles of Expressive Arts with a variety of clients from children of 18 months to adults of over 60+. This approach helps her clients to use a variety of techniques and mediums to work with and discover their innate creativity. She is currently studying towards a Diploma of Advance Studies in Expressive Arts and had been working for almost 2 years with Creative Wiz Kids, as a party entertainer and is one of the managers of the creative holiday clubs.
She goes by Picasso’s motto: ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.’
Lucy Scammell
Lucy has worked at Wiz Kids for eight years. She has extensive child centred experience as a Wiz Kids club manager and party host, a nanny and as a theatre practitioner. Lucy is well practiced engaging children as a group or on a one to one basis, her work also specialises in supporting SEND children.
Hannah Curtis
Artist / SALT Student
I have been working at Creative Wiz Kids since 2022. I have several years of experience with children and I am passionate about bringing creativity alive through arts and crafts. I am currently studying speech and language therapy (SALT) at City, University London.
Ajjaz Awad
Ajjaz Awad trained as an actor at RADA and ALRA, during her training, she was awarded The Laurence Olivier Award Bursary. Since graduating, she has worked professionally as an actor/puppeteer, recent theatre credits include: There’s a Rang-Tan In My Bedroom (The Little Angel Theatre) Zorro: The Musical (Charing Cross Theatre), How Not To Drown (Traverse Theatre) and The Snow Queen (South Street Arts). She has also recently appeared as: Dora Shafiq in Radio 4’s The Tomb and Eastenders as a Nurse Sian. As well as this, she has recently played various characters
in Big Finish Productions of Dr Who and Huda Shaarawi in Al Jazeera’s series Hindsight. In recent years, she has turned her hand to writing, having just completed The Tamasha’s Playwrights Group and The Royal Court’s Playwrights Group, she had her first scratch of a play at The Soho Theatre: Mixed Feelings, which has been longlisted for The ETPEP Award. She is currently writing an audio interactive drama for Tamasha Theatre and will soon be writing an episode for the Radio version of Dr Who. She’s worked for Creative Wiz Kids for over 10 years now, ranging from holiday clubs to private parties. She specialises in throwing Drama, Salsa and Flamenco parties and workshops.
Sadie
Hi, I’m Sadie and I’ve been working at Cwk for two years now. I did GCSE art and love being creative and doing arts and crafts. I’m also at university in York doing Psychology and Child Development.
Amy Green
Amy studied at London College of Music, gaining B.A. Hons degree in Musical Theatre. She completed the Early Years Foundation learning how to use singing and play in the early years curriculum. Amy is part of the Theatre of Adventure Company, specialising in walkabout acts, comic improvisation and interaction. Amy works for the Soundhouse Recording studios specialising in BBC radio dramas. As a teacher, Amy teaches Theatre in Education workshops for local schools and West end and a ‘Dance Moms’ inspired class for Notting Hill Ballet School. Amy teaches Performing Arts on a weekly basis at Stagecoach Theatre Arts in Ealing and Kew. She has been continuously praised by inspectors, and asked to mentor others within the network. Amy works for the charity ‘Spread a Smile’ who spread smiles to seriously ill children and teenagers in hospital by providing entertainment, and are supported by children in need. She can also be found working as casting assistant at Candid Casting. She is a voice over artist, voicing adverts for E.on, Network Rail, VeloCityCycling, Tam Airlines, O2, Morrisons and TV series Marley’s Ghosts. Along with her biggest venture voicing for for a world renowned technology brand that we still aren’t allowed to shout about. Amy also regularly hosts children’s birthday parties providing theatre and fun all round!
Dillon
I am a student who loves clothing design and art. I am enthusiastic about designing and making my own clothes. I also really enjoy painting, as well as developing my drawing. This is my first year at Wiz Kids, and I am excited to be working with the creative wiz kids, seeing how everyone can create art in their own unique way!