Gymboree- like it?

[gracemamma]

We are going to check out a Gymboree class for my 15 month old tomorrow and just thought I'd get some other mama thoughts on this if you are willing to share. Its expensive but I like the idea of having a nice place for DD to run around for free play in the afternoons during the winter and I understand the classes are supposed to be good- we'll see tomorrow! We'll be doing a normal gymboree class-the music class at 16 months is $30 extra/mo.-sheesh!
I emailed their headquarters to askabout BPA etc in their play equipment and haven't heard back yet.

So did your LO like it? How about you?

[Drummer's Wife]

I've never been, so you'll have to let us know how it goes. I wonder if it's something my youngest would enjoy.

I clicked on this b/c I thought you were talking about the clothes - and I was going to say, oh, yeah... we love gymboree! LOL.

[gracemamma]

I like their clothes too! We are looking at the Albuquerque one so if your neighborhood in the Land of Enchantment is here, I can give you very specific feedback! Its $59/mo for 1 class/wk with three afternoons a week where LOs can play on the equipment. Unlimited classes is +$10/mo and an additional class is $30/mo.

It seems very clean and they are very big on hand washing. Just want to see if kids seem to enjoy the classes overtime and it seems worth it and a valuable thing to have available for them.

[busymama77]

My littlest guy is 7 months and we've been actually visiting the free classes on the weekends - The first time he went, he was 3 months and we went to a 2nd one two weekends ago, not it's not like we're hitting them up for free classes ALL of the time. Just getting a feel for different ones. But I do like it, but I work full time, so DH thinks it's a waste of money since DS is already engaged with other little ones at daycare is learning about most of this stuff already.

Oh and the clothes... I could spend a fortune!! TOO CUTE!

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by gracemamma

I like their clothes too! We are looking at the Albuquerque one so if your neighborhood in the Land of Enchantment is here, I can give you very specific feedback! Its $59/mo for 1 class/wk with three afternoons a week where LOs can play on the equipment. Unlimited classes is +$10/mo and an additional class is $30/mo.

It seems very clean and they are very big on hand washing. Just want to see if kids seem to enjoy the classes overtime and it seems worth it and a valuable thing to have available for them.

Thanks! I'm in Rio Rancho, so the ABQ. location is close enough. I wonder if they let 3 yo's go, or if they are too big? I'll have to check into it. So it's not scheduled class times, just whenever you want to show up? I may even still have a coupon for a first free class, which would be cool to try it out.

[gracemamma]

Thanks busymama- you hit on one of the things we are looking for- ongoing play and socialization with other kiddos. I stay at home with DD so we are off to the zoo, botanical gardens, museums etc all the time but most of the time its just the two of us, though we are also starting an informal playgroup with a couple other kids. Glad you liked gymboree!

[gracemamma]

I thought the balloon might mean you were local, drummer's wife!
They have set classes by age group that you sign up for and attend 1x/wk and that gets you access also to the free play time which is, if I remember corectly, T,W and Th 3-5ish. Thry have classes for up to 5 yr olds so there would be a niche for your LO. The are located off 25 on Osuna.

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by gracemamma

I thought the balloon might mean you were local, drummer's wife!
They have set classes by age group that you sign up for and attend 1x/wk and that gets you access also to the free play time which is, if I remember corectly, T,W and Th 3-5ish. Thry have classes for up to 5 yr olds so there would be a niche for your LO. The are located off 25 on Osuna.

yeah I just took that pic on sat. at the Balloon Fiesta!

Thanks for all the info. That might work out well for us, as my DS is in preschool during the mornings, but we usually don't have much to do in the afternoon.

[MamieCole]

From my experience w/Gymboree classes, the quality is all about which teacher you get. When DS1 was around 20 months or so, we tried a free class and it was great! So we signed up. Then that teacher quit or moved or changed schedules or something and the teacher who replaced her was awful. So we had to try lots of different days and time slots for his age group to find a teacher who was a better fit for DS. We got the unlimited use of free gym, but never once used it.

We took classes for several months, until DS started getting less and less excited about going, so we dropped it.

[jammomma]

We've been going to Gymboree for about 6 months now. We do the Play and Learn classes but we have also done the music classes. My DS is 16 months now. He loves playing on the equipment, and he seems to enjoy the classes, he especially loves parachute time and bubble time. We have learned some fun activities to do together at home too. And I like that he is around other kids, and he likes checking the other kids out, even though he is a bit shy.


My one complaint would be that there have been a few other mothers that bring their mildly sick kids to class, runny nose coughing etc... and then my son caught it. They ask people to not bring their sick kids, but some folks are just inconsiderate like that I guess.

And because of this we won't be going to classes through the winter, we are just going to do an open play membership instead, that way my son can still have fun on the equipment and be around less children and if I see a sick kid we can just leave with out feeling awkward like it would if we just walked out in the middle of a class.

But overall, it has been a good experience for us.

[tea_time]

I've been taking my almost 3yo DD to Gymboree for 2 years now. We started in level II Play Classes, and switched to Art when she was 23 mo. We've both been very happy with the classes. Now that she's 3 I've looked at other less expensive options (parks and rec) but haven't pulled her out yet. I pay $69 a month for art, it was $59 for the Play Classes. Initially it was $10 more per month but after 6 months of enrollment the price dropped $10. I agree with the previous poster that the success of the class is often due to the instructor. So try out different days/sessions to see which is a good fit for you.

Another benefit for Gymboree clothing fans is you get coupons (for Janie & Jack, Crazy 8 and Gymboree) and free Gymbucks.

[gracemamma]

Thanks!

Thanks, Mamas! Great info! I will consider checking out different classes to see which instructors there are. They told me they encourage sick kiddos not to come but I will ask if they ever send kids home if they show up sick- good info! Especially because i was looking at this for the winter season!

[micah_mae_]

My son has been going since he was 16 months, he's 22 months now and still loves it! The equipment is mostly wood, which I like. There's lots of things for them to do with other kids (the rocking horses have handles on both sides (head and tail) so 2 kids can rock together, etc. It has helped him learn how to take turns, clean up and follow directions.

[tabrizia]

DS did gymboree from about 4 months till 28ish months old. He enjoyed it a lot in the beginning, he had really good teachers, towards the end the teachers weren't as engaging, and since I had just had his sister we pulled him since he didn't seem to be getting much out of the class. We put him in gymnastics instead which he loves. That being said it was a great activity for him from about 4 months till 22ish months, it started going downhill after that point for us, but a lot of that was his wonderful instructor left.

[maptome]

I just took my daughter out of gymboree. She's almost 15 months. She wasn't that interested in the "gym" equipment. She gets socialization from other sources, and we were paying $72/month for one class a week and open play. Also, just have to say that no matter where you take your kids, there will be parents who bring their sick kids. I think that all of the mats and other equipment are PVC. I would recommend going to take a free class to see if your kid likes it before you spend the money.

[gracemamma]

Thanks for all the info! DD LOVED it! She really enjoyed her class so we signed up and I took her to free play today and again, she LOVED it. I think all the fun indoor equipment and huge balls are really cool for her plus she had never played with some of the interesting equipment they have there- climb through tubes, bouncy mats, slides etc. I think this could be a great way for her to let off steam during the winter when it gets mighty chilly around here.
That said, I still haven't had a straight answer from gymboree on whether their equipment contains BPA, phthalates or PVC. They sent me an answer saying they complied with all "federal regulations" and were "safe" but as we know this doesn't mean that harmful chemicals aren't in the equipment.
This is one of the hardest parts I find about being parent- how to gage the potential damage of something she is really engaged in, i.e. all the stuff she puts in her mouth, all the non-toy items that get played with that could contain BPA-pens, receipts, etc.
I just was won over by how she lit up and ran around so happy during her time there- I didn't want to say no to that.
Thanks again for all your input! As for the teachers- none of them seem like lovebugs and the first one at the class we went to do couldn't sing very well but the parents were nice and DD was radiant.