Is your daughter's ballet school like this?

[emkana]

I've been thinking of sending dd1 to a new ballet school (because the current one is quite a long drive away), but I'm put off by their obsession with the "correct" outfit. Every child has to wear the school's leotard which costs £22 - and that's just the leotard, then you need a cardigan as well which costs another £12 or so - and during every lesson the hair has to be tied back - dd1 has just had her hair cut in a short bob, why should she tie it back????
The lessons take place in a manky church hall, and the children are four or five... I think this is really extreme!

Oh yes, I'm afraid so.

I did ballet all my childhood, this is unfortunately the norm at most schools, but if they are going to take exams, they need the proper kit anyway.

Most schools have a board where you can advertise second hand leotards, etc, or ask the teacher / other mums?

Short hair usually OK if secured with hairband with kirby grips?

My dd1's ballet class is quite strict too - they do have to have their hair tied back, but the make and price of leotard/shoes is not specified (just the colour)! Also they do not have to wear a cardigan. The teacher is quite strict about no talking or any kind of messing about during the lesson. My dd is 6, but the rules were in place from age 4. It seems to be all part of the ballet routine IYKWIM (we did go to a dance class before which was more modern dance and that was much more relaxed).

Yes, Emkana, dd's lessons are like that. She loves it though!

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do they still make hairnets? When I went to ballet lessons those of us with shorter hair would have a hairnet to keep it tidy, held in place by a hairband in the regulation colour.

Dd does classical ballet and has to wear RAD uniform for every lesson but the teacher does not insist on it being completely accurate unless they are doing an exam.

For example Dd1 is still wearing her Primary leotard and socks when she should actually now be wearing the Grade 1 leototard and tights. Her teacher is fine with this so long as I get the correct stuff for her exam.

Dd can have her hair how she likes for her lessons but has to have either a bun or plaits round the top of her head for her exams.

Yep sounds like the one we viewed, decided against it. They do swimming instead.

Dd's teacher is very strict during the lessons but all of the girls love her to bits, she is a fantastic teacher.

But I mean £22 for the leotard is just obscene, isn't it? I got dd some ballet stuff from h&m which was £14 for leotard, cardigan and tights - at her current school she's allowed to wear it during lessons for now, and I'm tempted to leave her there because I resent being made to spend that kind of money unneccessarily!

Do they have to wear one of those crochet bun nets on their hair too? I used to have a pink one...

It does sound extreme - how much are the lsssons?

About £40 for 12 weeks or so.

Just realised I have no clue whether that's reasonable or not...I have a 19mo DS and the last time I did any ballet, it was the 1980s...!

Dd's uniform has to be Royal Academy of Dance stuff but from memory I think her leotard is only about £13, ballet shoes £10, character shoes not sure cos I buy them off ebay second hand, and socks about £2.

I would definatly look and see if they have a seconds board.

We have the leotard, leggings or tights, green wraparound cardi (mm..lovely) and matching leg warmers. I rebel and send DD (who is manky most of the time anyway, complete with snot and flies buzzing round her head) with her hair loose and unbrushed.
I think the whole dancing school thing is hysterical - usually in a scuzzy village hall somewhere, but taken so seriously by the teacher and some of the mums. Priceless! It could be a Little Britain sketch . And the end of year 'show' - LOL!!

My dd has just started a new ballet class (her third). Actually she started in Sept but we only bought the (completely different) outfit last week. The teacher allowed her to retain her old ballet cardigan, socks and shoes (so not totally pushy) but she had to have a new leotard and a floaty skirt (which dd was wetting herself to get her hands on!) and those two things alone came to £21.50. And yes, she has to have her hair in a bun but I am getting a bit better at doing them now! TBH, when she went to her first class, the girls all competed with hair clips, scrunchies, butterflies, hair bands etc in the hair each week, so it is quite nice just to do a plain bun and know you have done your duty there.

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Dd never does a show which is the main reason I picked the classes, because when they do shows, the costs become silly.

Oi Cod, you know nothing

LOL Cod, do your boys not want to do ballet then?

Forgot to mention that I have a size one raspberry pink ballet leotard with built in short skirt (from Katz dancewear) for sale if anyone is interested. £2 plus p&p!

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My dd(5)has to wear the right leotard and skirt, but I bought them from the teacher. lots of kids that age give up so she usually has some. It must be worth asking.
She only has to have her hair up "correctly" for exams.
Lessons are very cheap though (£22 a term)

Coddy, you've just outed yourself as a 10-year-old boy