What do you think of toddler classes like Tumbletots / Jumpin Beans?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Hi, I've just found out that my village runs a Jumpin Beans class here, it's kind of like Tumble Tots I think (using soft play things to encourage physical development etc). It's £39 for 12 weeks. I went to a TT class once before with DS but didn't go back because he wasn't even crawling at that stage so didn't think he'd benefit. He's now walking though and is 21 months, I'm swithering about whether to sign up for this class or just take him to the park / play in the house instead for his 'physical development'! The thing is though, I'm on mat leave again with a 3 week old so think a wee group would be good for DS1 to go to? it (...and maybe me too to get out the house a bit more).

What do you think of these classes? Rip off or good?

When DS was little I signed up for everything going - I was desperate for things to do and places to go. I still love the idea of having something 'set' to do on particular days, but he only does swimming and toddler group these days!

I think that that sounds like a pretty reasonable price for a structured class actually (as long as they let you have a trial class to see what its like)

If there are other things that are cheaper (and more sociable - I went to a tumble tots once but found you didnt really get the opportunity for that) then I'd be inclined to do those first e.g. local toddler groups/toy libraries/free gym play.

However you sound like you need to get out! So I'd just go for it

my dd does a council run version called little steps and she loves it but i have been told tumble tots is better, dd is 2.1 and i pay £2 a session for upto 3 hours so very cheap.

depends on the child really - I did gymboree (like tumbletots) with DS1 but to be honest now he's older and more active he by far prefers local playgroups where he can set his own agenda and run around like a nutter playing with lots of different toys rather than following a set program. Though the price sounds really good.

My dgs goes to Totstastic [like tumbletots]and loves it

DS (4) has done Tumbletots for a couple of years and enjoys it. Don't think it does anything amazing for them, but encouraging physical confidence can't be bad, right? £39 for 12 weeks sounds pretty cheap - I think we pay more like £5-6 a session for Tumbletots.

I'd go to the village class (rather than TT) because it will be a great way to meet other mothers and children who live close to you. Bet your ds will love it too.

Hi Guys just reading your posts about tumble tots, i agree sometimes is very regimental, we found a fab company near us called funky action kids, www.funkykidsparty.co.uk, there are no start up fees and you can pay as you go, its a high energy action class, although there are some apparatus they concentrate more on the movement with the action songs and specially adapted props to make it more engaging for kids, also there age group is 0-5 years so all under 5 can go together!

We like gymboree too - I did it with both of mine. I'm not sure about having all under 5's together for something physical - my two 4 and 2 couldn't do gymboree together.
Its nice in winter to have something inside in case the weather's bad

@Riven

Riven and and for both you and DD. Even more so when some of the activities they do are similar to physio therapy, for example the high kneeling and rolling over a ball.

When I was a new mum, I enjoyed taking dcs to Tumbletots because it was an activity rather than sitting there making small talk and I met other like-minded mums (having been slightly traumatised by the local M&B!).

How good they are imo depends on who runs them, ours was a Joyce Grenfell type. Am at Riven's dd's experience. The one the dcs went to was very inclusive - gave a dc who was a limpet-like with his dad, non verbal and screamed if any child came near him, his own set of equipment to work on and one-to-one with a helper.

Wouldn't judge them to be any superior to other classes, just what was locally available.

I tried a Tumble Tots session with DS, but he has always been physically very able, with good balance and I didn't feel that he got much from it for £6 a session!

Have also tried Swimbabes (v pricey for what you get, equally good lessons in local pool that you don't have to pay up front for); SoccerTots (Surestart put on about 4 weeks of ST's when DS was 1. ST lady was horrid which put me off ever trying again; it was also too structured for 1 year olds); Jo Jingles (nothing special there) and Rhythm Time.

DS adores Rhtym Time - it is the only thing he does that makes him sit down and think a bit. HE would nto do it all the time, but we both enjoy it for half an hour a week. It is about £5/session, for a 12 week term, about 10 miles away and well, well worth the money and the drive over.

Absolutely horrified by Riven's treatment by Tumble Tots!

Personally, I think for the price of Tumble Tots, I would look at a local gym club to see if they run preschool classes.

My DD went to our local gym club from the age of 18 months.

At the gym club, it takes place in a safe gym - where there are sprung floors, and bouncy stuff everywhere! TT happen anywhere, so the environment may not be as safe.

At the gym club, the instructor is a qualified preschool coach, who is registered with British Gymnastics, has undertaken training to ensure that what she does with children is safe and age appropriate, following their early years 'FUNdamentals' programme. At TT, it is a franchise and any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy the franchise. Indeed on their website it says, "Experience of working with children is not essential, but running a business in a child environment requires individuals to enjoy working with children and their parents."

Because the gym classes are run by professional gymnastic coaches, the children get to do so much more than what they can do at TT. I've always done gym, but another mum who has moved over from TT is surprised at just how much they are expected to do in a gym class. My DD2 is 3 now, and she is perfectly capable of walking along the high beam alone (although a coach is always nearby in case they are needed), jump / step over things on a low beam, do leg lifts on a bar, head stands against something soft, front and back roly polys and the list goes on....

If you can go to a gymnastics class, then I personally would favour that option, as they do learn so much....not sure I'd bother with a tumble tots class though.

You go to the classes that you enjoy - your dc doesn't really need anything structured at 21 months. I like structured activities because it gives me a break from trying to think of things to entertain dcs so I go to these types of classes but I don't really kid myself that it is doing much for dcs.

Ds had delayed gross motor skills. He had physic but TT really helped too and boosted his confidence.

What happened to you Riven is dreadful. I can't imagine the same thing happening at our one.

It is a franchise so I assume quality and attitude are variable.

My 3 went to TT when they were younger (eldest ones are now 20 and 17) and my 8 year old went. They were alot more confident by the time they started school and it was local to me which was good as I had no car at the time.

Not everyone has a gymnastics club in the area and they tend to want monthly fees of about £50* upfront which I just have not got.

My 8 yr old plays football now for a local team and that is alot more reasonably priced at £18 per month.

*Depends on club.