Choosing a ballet teacher

[Barbeasty]

My DD (3.7) is desperate to do ballet.

She did a term a year ago with a local teacher, but because DH and I both work full time now she could only really do it at a weekend and this teacher only teaches mid - week.

I've met a teacher (through a playgroup we both attend) but although her website says she does RAD and ISTD, she isn't listed as registered with either on their websites. Could this be because she is just back teaching after maternity?

If we don't go with her we'll have to travel further and go with a complete unknown.

What do I look for- there are 3 RAD registered schools I can easily get details for online, 2 well established and going to high grades, the other is new and only has classes to grade 2 (I know if will be years before DD gets there, but does it matter)

Any tips?

I think it depends what you want out of the lessons. My girls go to an ISTD dance school as I wanted them to be entered in for exams.

Dd1 has been there for 12 years and loves it. My other two girls are much younger but still love it :)

I would say yes it does matter about only going to grade 2 as if your dd is like my dd1 and loves it, she will want to go past grade 2 and it will be a shame to pull her out once she's made friends etc.

Plus, it made not just be ballet that she enjoys. My girls also do tap and dd1 does Jazz too :)

It may be they only go to grade 2 because they took beginners when it opened, by the time your dd gets to grade 2 those current grade 2s will be at grade 5 or so?

That's what I think about the one that goes to grade 2, the website says it started in 2012 so that would make sense.

The ones registered with ISTD seem to be the same ones registered with RAD, so it doesn't really expand our choices.

Having tried to contact the unregistered teacher by email and phone, and the small school by phone, with no response, we may be looking at the bigger ones anyway!

I would personally go with the bigger, more established schools. Whilst the smaller school may go past Grade 2 by the time your DD is there, she will only have had a limited experience of putting children through the syllabus. Also, what about older beginners who may start later, say in their teens? They wouldn't typically start in Pre Primary with the tots, but in a Grade 2/3 type class. This small school will have shut off these kids, or lumped them together with the tinies. That's not good for anyone. The more kids, generally the more classes and the more chance that there is a level that suits your DD, particularly as she gets older.

Also, bigger schools usually (not always) have the better links to outreach and associate classes, dance days, performance opportunities etc which your DD might enjoy when she is a bit older.

The reason the ones registered with rad & ISTD is that RAD only dies ballet so many schools do ISTD tap & modern.

Yes, although one is registered with both for ballet interestingly.

It looks as though we'll be going with the smaller of the big schools, if that makes sense.

So DD should be starting preschool ballet, at a school which concentrates on ballet (with classes up to IF) but does jazz and tap when they're a bit older too.

I emailed to ask about classes and they got back to me about 5 hours later. I'm still waiting for replies from the smaller 2, in one case nearly a week later. I know it isn't everything, but if they can't be bothered to respond to an enquiry then what are they going to be like with administration once you start?!

Thank you all for your advice, and fingers crossed DD enjoys it.

She'll love it op :)

DDS old ballet teacher didn't even have an email address!