what does everyone think of TUMBLETOTS

[harpsichordcarrier]

well I went for a trial session yesterday after being on the waiting list for months and I have to say I wasn't hugely impressed. It didn't help that I was sent along to the wrong age group, the organiser being clearly of the impression that I had put DD in stasis since I phoned at the beginning of the year and she was STILL 20 months old.
DD seemed to enjoy it but it did seem rather structured and - frankly - very very expensive and I am not sure represents good value for money. I can't help thinking I would be better taking her to the local soft play centre instead.
but maybe the structure is what she needs now she is getting older and I would ceratinly like to encourage her physical skills, which are already better than mine by a margin.
I would be interested to know everyone's views.

Ours is VERY well run and organised. The structure really helps now she is growing up - she is learning skills like turn taking and sharing. She's the older child and so doesn't have much practice w/this outside TT. She is also the type that learns best from other children.

We also don't have a soft play centre near us.

Think a lot might depend on how your local franchise is run.

DD loved it, and is sad that she's now too old to go! Benefits for us were the chance to develop physical skills, opportunity to be around children of her own age (same kids on a regular basis), and gave us some regularly scheduled "together time" outside our home. I also particularly liked it during long, cold, wet, dark months when going to the park for a run around is not a particularly enjoyable experience.

I thought it was all right (we were in the

dd loves it and agree that it is great for the winter when the park is not always an option.
DD is still at the youngest group so not much structure at the moment, although come Jan she will move 'up' a group which apparently has more structre so will have to see about it then.

My DD loves it - we are in the 2-3 yr band and i like the structure - waiting your turn, trying everything etc. Think the session time is just about right - can't fault it really. Suppose it is quite expensive, but I am used to paying for private nursery (given up work 6 mnths ago) and the cost to me of TT seems cheap! (in comparison to £44 a day for nursery)

I don't like it at all. I've tried it in London and now in North West and it didn't suit either of mine. I don't like the songs and the warm up, my 2 just want to get on the equipment which is so structured it makes me really self conscious when ds1 or 2 are climbing up another child to get to the ladder first. We have a huge soft play thing nearby and others in the vicinity so I tend to use those as we can have lunch there and meet friends. Having said all this ds1 is nearly 4 now and had a trial at the older session. My Mum took him but she said he loved it so I might sign him up.

bump for lilybird

I think you should move down here and come to my group, hc

I think it is so dependant on the franchise owner. Really was unimpressed when I tried it with ds1 when we lived in Croydon. Joined up again when we moved to Worcester as a desperate attempt to get to know some people and get us out the house, and it was fantastic, really good.

Ds2 now goes (ds1 now in school and they don't have the school age one here) and adores it (but have to confess it's probably slightly less value for him as he's still in the "run around lots and ignore most of the equipment" stage - then again, it's encouraging him to run around lots and he has great fun, so can't complain!).

The other thing I found is that when either of them changed classes it took 3-4 weeks to get them used to the change in structure/get their confidence etc. If you can maybe pay per class for a couple of weeks or just pay for a half term, that might be better.

How much does it cost? We don't have a franchise holder in my area but go instead to a FREE gym session at a local school, which is great.

Theres two threads running on this at the moment.....my ds and dd love it, we still go. It is expensive, £5.00 I think for 45 mins. I to think it depends on the staff running it. Ours our fantastic, each one really pays attention to the child, knows there name and really trys to help if there is something they are struggling with. We did go to a different class elsewhere once and it really wasnt the same, the staff were just doing there job and I felt they hated children. That I think will make the difference as to whether you stick at it or find something that seems more value for money. My children certainly benefitted from it though.

Agree that it completely depends on who is running it. Dd joined with a fantastic woman (who also did it when ds was a baby) but within weeks she had left and her replacement wasn't nearly so good. She just wasn't as involved with the children.
Dd never really enjoyed it that much and I resented the money it cost.
The age 2 sessions were better as I think the structure of the classes was better, with encouraging discussion with the children. Dd did always enjoy the singing.