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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think Gymboree is not that hot?

58 replies

BlackSwan · 05/02/2011 14:20

Went to a trial class this week... there were too many mums and bubs in the class so it felt crowded & the equipment was very busy.

Most of the class time was spent doing 'free play', with the obligatory parachute rustle (good fun for the babies) and bubbles thrown in. Then a weird bit where Gymbo the creepy clown came to kiss the babies.

At around 17 pounds a session - that seems extortionate to me. Even the Gymboree bubbles cost 10 pounds at their own shop. 10 POUNDS!!! But I do need to take DS somewhere for a workout & to socialise him.

There are free playgroups in my area, but having been there a couple of times, they're little more than a play mat with a few snotty nosed kids and a V-tech walker! We do go to music class which is good value and has a nice atmosphere.

Should I just accept this as the norm and enrol, or should I look further afield?

OP posts:

BlueCollie · 05/02/2011 14:26

I looked at Gymboree and thought they were a total rip-off. There are better classes out there that are a whole lot cheaper. Tumbletots for example. I would have been going to those but am now skint so can't afford it. I'm not sure how old your baby is but there are also FA approved Little Kickers classes from 18 months.
Don't waste your money on this overhyped trendy stuff.

Rosebud05 · 05/02/2011 14:27

How old's ds? Wouldn't a walk to the park, library, friend's house, local shops surfice in the workout and socialising stakes, with the odd trip to soft play for really dire days?

noblegiraffe · 05/02/2011 14:30

17 pounds a session ?! Dear god, no baby class is worth that.

gapbear · 05/02/2011 14:30

Don't forget the local swimming pool - you often meet people that way.

smellmycheese · 05/02/2011 14:32

where do you live? I wouldnt spend 17 pounds a session even if supernanny came out for a kiss!

pigletmania · 05/02/2011 14:37

What a rip off! Even our soft play costs muc less than that and there is so much to do, there is a baby/toddler section. Dodgems, Merry go round, role play section. Or like others have suggested a run around the park, walk to the shops, going swimming is just as good and cheaper. £10 for bubbles, your having a laugh!!! What a comercial nightmare this Gymboree sounds.

Original poster

BlackSwan · 05/02/2011 14:42

BlueCollie- that's so funny, just jumped off MN to search for other gyms in my area and found TumbleTots - going there on Monday for a trial.

Rosebud, he's 12 months... most of my friends work & we don't have family round with babies. I would like him to get some interaction with other kids but also use some real climbing equipment and tunnels etc for co-ordination and balance etc. We go to the park, but as he's not walking I think it would be good to go somewhere indoors with padded equipment too.

OP posts:

pigletmania · 05/02/2011 14:45

The local 360 (Gambados) would be cheaper than Gymboree.

Original poster

BlackSwan · 05/02/2011 14:47

PS - Gymboree was in the news lately - the company was bought by a private equity firm for 1.8 billion US.

The price of bubbles may go up further still.

OP posts:

thunderbird69 · 05/02/2011 15:09

I can't believe that people pay that amount of money for a class!!

I know that leisure centres around here have sessions for babies and toddlers with lots of big soft shape equipment etc. Maybe see if there is anything like that around - I think they are only a few quid for a couple of hours. Or soft play centres, when you can get in with them and take them on stuff to help balance etc.

thunderbird69 · 05/02/2011 15:10

and that clown business sounds really creepy!

I hope it is a puppet/soft toy and not a person dressed as a clown?

putthekettleon · 05/02/2011 15:14

17 pounds????? I thought I was being ripped off at the music class I go to, paying £6 for my toddler and £3 for the baby.

We did a trial at tumble tots but I was put off by the £20 obligatory joining fee ('but you get a free tshirt' they said, as if that made all the difference...)

Give it a few months, he'll be walking and the weather will be better so you can take him to the park for free.

magicOC · 05/02/2011 15:15

I quit Gymbo in favour of Tumble tots when they started class at least15 mins later than scheduled, as a result we had to leave 15mins early for school pick up. When complained I was told they started late to accommodate all the late comers otherwise " they wouĺdnt get the whole 45 mins and that would be unfair". What about OUR 45 mins ffs.
Tumble tots so much better value. Very happy to help out with multiples as well.

magicOC · 05/02/2011 15:19

£20 includes insurance which id be happy to pay for. Accidents DO happen. Had one child break an arm at another babygym place.

LadyOfTheManor · 05/02/2011 15:21

While I hate Steiner "schools", the Steiner baby group is brilliant.

Hmmm £6 a session on MOndays and Fridays (here, not sure if that changes) and that's brilliant.

I shan't continue once my ds is 3 as their teaching techniques are a bit weird, but in terms of creativity for a toddle under 3 they're fab!

putthekettleon · 05/02/2011 15:23

surely they should have their own insurance? Just seemed another moneymaking scam to me, but then I am tight thrifty

BeatRoute · 05/02/2011 15:24

MagicOC, most if not all playgroups have insurance. The one I go to does and it's only £1.50 to attend!

BeatRoute · 05/02/2011 15:25

And the child that broke their arm still would've done even if there was insurance in place!

BlueCollie · 05/02/2011 15:27

Glad there is one in your area. Forgot to add have you tried your local council run gym. Ours has quite a bit going on for kids. Once my overpriced posh gym runs out of contract I will be joining local one so I can throw DS in the supervised under 5's, which is in the soft play area, for £1.50 and go in the gym myself

magicOC · 05/02/2011 15:35

Maybe I'm blinded by insurance, but, I take the point re playgroups etc, more hazards in a gym I suppose tho.

Re broken arm, I was going to say that if parents decided to claim medical expenses(covers paralysis, loss of limbs etc), then insurance would cover it, but, then again that's why THEY should have it.
Good point, I'llcheck the small print.

Original poster

BlackSwan · 05/02/2011 15:37

Thanks guys - fingers crossed that our tumbletots experience will be better. Will see if there's a Steiner in our area. And come spring time when he's off walking I'm sure the park will be much more fun. Needless to say we won't be going back to Gymboree!

Thunderbird, yes, the clown was a toy clown. Had it been a grown up, we would have left running!

OP posts:

Pixel · 05/02/2011 16:46

Try leisure centres, they usually have sessions where they have the soft-play equipment, slides, mats etc set up in a hall and you just go in and play for a few pounds.

I second swimming as well. I used to take ds to 'Ducklings' classes which was about £4 for the pair of us at the time. I got friendly with another lady there and we are still friends 10 years later. Our sons are the same age and no doubt they would be friends too if my ds didn't have ASD but her son and my dd get on very well so it's still all good.

bupcakesandcunting · 05/02/2011 18:07

Is this like TumbleTots? Because I we hated TumbleTots.

Expensive, full of smuggy McSmuggington twat yummy-mummies, regimented play leader women, cringe-worthy sing-a-long time. Just awful.

DS just wanted to bounce on the trampoline but no. He must jump through hoops (literally) beforehand. He was much happier at the 50p entry toddler mornings at the church where he was allowed to run riot for two hours, eat biscuits and shout

FlipFlop32 · 05/02/2011 18:09

I used to take my DS to a pre school gym class but honestly it was a complete waste of money and he wasn't that bothered to be honest. I thought he could probably learn physical skills and have the same physical exercise at the park. I don't believe that he wouldn't learn balance and coordination without attending these classes!

Also my DS hates being told what to do and how to do it - so will learn much more doing his own thing IMHO!

nellieloula · 05/02/2011 18:25

£17 a class? I pay £38 a month for my DD to go.....and I think it depends on each franchise to be honest. our's is great - very organised, structured, friendly and small groups...I recognise that it is 'formulaic fun' and a bit in your face but she loves it. And the older they get, the more educationally led it is. not for everyone though.
Hope you find something - if it's physical activities you want, try your local gym cause they usually run children's classes and open gyms for them. good luck!

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