to think Gymboree is not that hot?

[BlackSwan]

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?

Ha ha, it's not near Harrods... far less appealing part of town.

But the class is PACKED, there's a wait-list. Clearly they aren't MNers attending or too shy to admit to spending so much.

I suppose Gymboree can justify the difference in the prices between locations on the basis that they are run as franchises and have different costs for rent etc... but that still doesn't explain the bubbles.

God that is extortionate.

I could vaguely see how you might do it for three months olds if you have lots of disposable cash but actual newborns? The ones that just eat and sleep and cry and cuddle their mums and work out how to look at the world?

They were advertising themselves as having 'the only classes suitable for newborns': that's the bit that got me.

Anyway I haven't been so can't judge properly I suppose!

I don't know which Gymboree people have tried but I'm certainly not paying that amount for my Gymboree in Cheam!! I pay £36 a month for my son and as well as his regular class I take him during their lunch breaks where they have free play sessions where he can blow off some steam! The teachers are great and they are really flexable about make up classes ect which a lot of places aren't.

I don't get classes for babies at all. OP why not go on netmums, put up an ad, meet a few mums with babies a similar age to yours (I did this and made 3 friends straight away) bring them all to your house, buy a few mats and squishy toys and play with them yourselves? Babies don't need a whole load of equipment - people are just as good for climbing on . Minimal expense, you can have a tea/coffee in comfort and you make some lovely friends! Before I moved here from Ireland I had never heard of a baby class but I'm thinking once DS is old enough I might start my own ones as they're a great way to make some easy money :)

I also like gymboree cheam, was £31 a month when we signed up, the leader of the class is really good and the equipment etc, and not too busy, has been great through the winter, in summer as others say park is good. Was the only "scheduled" thing we did this winter (dd1 nearly 3) and we've really enjoyed it.

We do Tumble Tots and love it. £17 very expensive. I look to pay about £5 for a class (i'm in south east).

Went to the 930am class last saturday (November 2013) with our 16 month boy - they had forgotten to turn the heating on, it was freezing over night - just 3 degrees. My sons hands and feet were freezing after the class, is this responsible ? It was not the first time it had happened this year I was told.

It was also a bit dull as there was only 1 other person in the class.

Will not be going back