About once every couple of months I find myself re-evaluating baby/toddler classes for my girls. I sit there weighing the pros and cons, trying to determine if I feel they are ready for a super structured environment, but in the end I end up deciding to wait. Instead of weekly classes where I am chasing my toddler, trying to get her to follow the group, follow the group, follow the group, I opt for “open play” where she learns through self-exploration.
(I apologize for poor pictures, I don't bring my DSLR to class!)
First off, let me just say that each child is different, but our family had decided to wait until the toddler was 3 before settling into hard structured classes, like ballet. However, there have been a few options that worked for her that were in a classroom setting.
At the top of the list, there is Gymboree Play and Learn, where they have classes separated into gym time, music, and art. They even have the option for a family gym class so siblings can play at the same time! We were able to get 5 weeks worth of classes for $40 through online deals...browse and wait, because they always come around again. 
Then there is Gymagine, which offers classes for toddlers 18 months and older, but will accept kids into their programs as soon as they can walk steadily. A 30 minute session, once a week will run you $48 a month (plus an annual $27-38 depending on the age of your child), or $40 a month if you purchase 12 weeks worth at a time, plus they have discounts running all the time with pre-registering, and paying with cash. You don’t know it’s coming until it’s posted on the door, but I allot 40 dollars a month for classes per child, so the discount just gives us more money for classes later!
Another popular place to go for classes for your youngster is The Little Gym, however their fees will run you upwards of $100 a month, plus a $40 membership fee. I have heard raving reviews, but have never been able to cough up that insane amount of cash for children’s playtime.
Other places offer homeschool discounts, and paying ahead discounts!! Sometimes, if you pay for a full year, you get 15% off! I have not checked into homeschool rates yet, as we are just starting Montessori at our house this year, some advertise and some don't, but it NEVER hurts to call and ASK!!
One last option is your city’s rec center. Although we don’t live in Kirkland, we use their rec center for classes (although there is an additional fee for being a non-resident), because Everett does not have a very broad spectrum for classes for wee ones. Because rec centers are on city websites, they are generally easy to find, and Kirkland has a beautiful seasonal catalog that offers multiple classes per age group, featuring a variety of activities, with focal points in music, arts, and wiggly exploration! It is great because you can typically find something to fit into your schedule, for around $40 a month without the annual fee!
We are currently signed up for Miss Tiffany Shelford’s Baby Ballet, at Elegance Dance studio! We chose this class because of an online Living Social deal, that made classes only $30 per child and waived registration fees! We were able to stick both girls in the same class, so I thought we would try it out, and it is perfect! Beginning structure, but not regimented like some of the gym classes have to be, a good size group of friends, and a thoroughly enthusiastic and energetic teacher. Plus, you drop off your child for half an hour, as the instructor insists that parents can be a big distraction, and I whole-heartedly agree, unless your child is crying, in which case you can go in and redirect their focus. There is a viewing window so you can always see your child, but they won’t be distracted by you! Added bonus is there is a sibling discount! This keeps my cost under $40 per child per month, and she just recently started offering prepay options for 3 months of lessons, which also lends a discount for those who only have one dancer! Then there are parent viewing days, where you get to sit in class and watch their progress, and a performance at the end of the school year!
We just recently started ballet, because I consider it a steal as far as a semi-structured environment, playtime and learning goes. But if you don’t mind a little less structure in your child’s environment, stay tuned for the Autumn Evelyn version of tot classes! We did classes a little differently before ballet, and we will continue when ballet is over, and when we need a little more activity in our schedule during the rainy season!
AND NOW, FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!
We had a TON of entries this time! Thank you for posting on Facebook, your compliments and kind words were received and you were counted in this week’s drawing!
And the winner is…
AUTUMN MEYER!!!
If you didn’t win, thank you for continuing to support this blog, just trying to reach out to those who have need for penny-pinching ideas! Sure we spend 40 a month per child for dance, all paid for with research surveys, etc., but we haven’t always been blessed with a budget to allow lessons like that, and those are the cheapest I can find! Keep reading, because I always have new suggestions, and new giveaways!!!
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