I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music, make-ups and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Gymboree Play & Music – Chicago, Lakeview
3158 N. Lincoln Ave (at Belmont)
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 296-1770
http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/index.jsp
**** THREE STARS ****
Price: $30 new member initiation fee + $88 monthly fee -- I hear the monthly fee will be continuously charged until you cancel
Age: 10-16 months
Size: Large. Around 15-20 babies
Length: 45 minutes
Convenience: It was extremely convenient to sign-up online, and when I called the Lakeview location, I spoke with a person immediately. No waiting.
Cleanliness: Kind of clean. Gym mats tend to breed bacteria and germs, but I did notice a staff member cleaning during our class. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: Tons of great climbing apparatuses, bridges, slides, and open areas. There are 2 rooms, one for songs and one for climbing and romping.
Parking: Relatively easy street parking (pay box, up to 2 hours for $2.50).
Open Play Toys: No need for toys when there are so many things to climb.
Instructor: Upbeat and enthusiastic instructors, although the regular teacher at my test class had left for another job.
Content: We went back and forth between singing songs and climbing. It was extremely active. Parachute play is always a hit, and so was the walking log push. Watching a dozen toddlers collectively push a giant plush log was hilarious. Kids wear nametags on their back, which is convenient for the instructor, but makes it seem impersonal and corporate mixeresque. Gymboree sells their own brand of bubbles that seem to be super special because float like they are suspended in time.
Henry’s Opinion: H wasn’t sure about going back and forth between the two rooms. He also hated the fun house mirror, which I thought was absolutely hilarious. But he always loves interacting with other babies, and loves climbing.
Mom’s Opinion: Great activity. I loved that Henry could climb different types of materials and structures. I’m not a fan of the clowns - there are 2 puppet clowns used during class. I liked that the instructor gave some information on child development and how the particular activity was applicable. The class was on the large side. Open play hours are convenient.
Other Moms: The other moms, dads and caregivers were very friendly. The majority of the caregivers were nannies.
Music: C - No background music, just singing, and there’s no quality to the instructor’s singing voice.
Make-ups: Unlimited make-ups, which can be scheduled online!
Activity: Tons of activity.
Bonus: Open play hours actually work with a toddler’s nap schedule.
See Other Baby Class Reviews
Showing posts with label baby class review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby class review. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Baby Class Reviews: Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms 12-24 months
Baby Class Reviews: Old Town School of Folk Music: Wiggleworms 12-24 months
I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music, make-ups and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Old Town School of Folk Music
909 Armitage Ave, Chicago – the class I’m rating
4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
2120 Lincoln St, Evanston
5250 Wolf Rd, Western Springs
http://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/wiggleworms/
*****FOUR STARS *****
Price: $240 for 16 week session
Age: 12-24 months
Size: Small. Around 10 moms/babies
Length: 45 minutes
Convenience: Calling the Old Town School of Folk is a cluster f. The wait time over the phone can be 30-45 minutes. The staff at the front desk is generally crotchety. But you can sign-up online.
Cleanliness: Not at all clean. The building is an actual school, and reminds me of an “old school.” The rug is old and brown. The walls are a dingy cream color. We wear our shoes in the room and it doesn’t seem that the toys are cleaned after every class. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: Small 10 X 10 room and the décor is a little drab. There are a few student drawn pictures on the walls.
Parking: Street parking in Lincoln Park has been easy. Parking lot at the Lincoln Square location.
Open Play Toys: There are instruments used during certain songs. There is no open play.
Instructor: All the instructors are career musicians!
Content: Caregivers and babies sit in a circle. The songs are classic and traditional, and the kids enjoy the interactive clapping and bouncing. There is story time and walking in a circle (all the kids in this class were walking). The class isn’t super active, but this age is more about learning structure and interacting than just physical play.
Henry’s Opinion: H enjoyed the music. He also liked playing with the piano and guitar at the end.
Mom’s Opinion: I’m looking forward to learning more traditional songs and activities through Wiggleworms. Also the class is 16 weeks, which will foster more comfortable relationships with the other moms and babies. And 16 weeks can also be a negative if you get sick of it.
Other Caregivers: The other moms/caregivers are very friendly. The small classes allow for real interaction, and the small room forces physical proximity. The class we tested also happened to be very racially diverse.
Music: A: Great traditional songs. All the instructors are musicians.
Make-ups: Call to schedule a make-up class. The wait on the phone can be ridiculously long.
Activity: Not as much physical activity, however, mental activity is encouraged.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music, make-ups and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Old Town School of Folk Music
909 Armitage Ave, Chicago – the class I’m rating
4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
2120 Lincoln St, Evanston
5250 Wolf Rd, Western Springs
http://www.oldtownschool.org/classes/wiggleworms/
*****FOUR STARS *****
Price: $240 for 16 week session
Age: 12-24 months
Size: Small. Around 10 moms/babies
Length: 45 minutes
Convenience: Calling the Old Town School of Folk is a cluster f. The wait time over the phone can be 30-45 minutes. The staff at the front desk is generally crotchety. But you can sign-up online.
Cleanliness: Not at all clean. The building is an actual school, and reminds me of an “old school.” The rug is old and brown. The walls are a dingy cream color. We wear our shoes in the room and it doesn’t seem that the toys are cleaned after every class. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: Small 10 X 10 room and the décor is a little drab. There are a few student drawn pictures on the walls.
Parking: Street parking in Lincoln Park has been easy. Parking lot at the Lincoln Square location.
Open Play Toys: There are instruments used during certain songs. There is no open play.
Instructor: All the instructors are career musicians!
Content: Caregivers and babies sit in a circle. The songs are classic and traditional, and the kids enjoy the interactive clapping and bouncing. There is story time and walking in a circle (all the kids in this class were walking). The class isn’t super active, but this age is more about learning structure and interacting than just physical play.
Henry’s Opinion: H enjoyed the music. He also liked playing with the piano and guitar at the end.
Mom’s Opinion: I’m looking forward to learning more traditional songs and activities through Wiggleworms. Also the class is 16 weeks, which will foster more comfortable relationships with the other moms and babies. And 16 weeks can also be a negative if you get sick of it.
Other Caregivers: The other moms/caregivers are very friendly. The small classes allow for real interaction, and the small room forces physical proximity. The class we tested also happened to be very racially diverse.
Music: A: Great traditional songs. All the instructors are musicians.
Make-ups: Call to schedule a make-up class. The wait on the phone can be ridiculously long.
Activity: Not as much physical activity, however, mental activity is encouraged.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Baby Class Reviews: YMCA Lakeview Swim Class: Shrimp and Kippers
I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music, make-ups and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Convenience: If you don’t currently have a YMCA card, you have to show up in person to sign up for a class. Once you have a card, you can sign-up online. Staff is very helpful and friendly.
Make-ups: 1 make-up per session allowed. Email paul_meyer@ymcachgo.org or call (773) 248-3333.
YMCA Lakeview
3333 N. Marshfield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 248-3333
**** FOUR STARS ****
Price: $132 (non-member) for 6 week session; $66 for member.
Age: 6-12 months
Size: Small. Around 5-10 moms/babies
Length: 30 minutes
Convenience: If you don’t currently have a YMCA card, you have to show up in person to sign up for a class. Once you have a card, you can sign-up online. Staff is very helpful and friendly.
Cleanliness: Kind of clean. Everyone must soap shower before entering the pool. The family locker room is clean and simple. The pool and poolside are very clean. The pool toys aren’t washed between classes, but the chlorine probably serves as an antibacterial guard. Some of the pool toys are a little mildewy, but they just got new ones recently. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: The pool room/floor is heated – hooray! Pool is very clean. The swipe card entrance door to the family locker room is broken. But the locker room has private changing stalls and lockers (bring your own lock). The showers are satisfactory. They provide soap.
Parking: Relatively easy street parking (pay box, up to 2 hours for $2). YMCA parking lot – $5.
Open Play Toys: Bath toys: duckies, noodles and balls.
Instructor: Woman with flower swim cap – I don’t remember her name! She is a little nutty and has a satisfactory singing voice. She likes to tell jokes … a lot of jokes.
Content: Caregivers and babies learn how to get in and out of the pool. We stand in a circle and let babies splash, show them how to blow bubbles and put them on their backs. We don’t generally put their faces in the water. H once dunked his head under on his own. Babies learn to kick and reach for balls. We throw duckies across the pool and help them swim across. We collect balls by colors. We sing songs like: The hokey pokey. The first few classes were the same, but at class #4 we started using noodles and mixing it up a bit more.
Henry’s Opinion: H loves the water. He’s a natural. He splashes and kicks and generally is content in the water. He even likes the shower, which a lot of kids hate.
Mom’s Opinion: It’s a good work out lifting and holding H in the pool. The timing of the classes isn’t ideal, I have to wake Henry up early from his nap to get there on time. It’s also a lot of work to get Henry dressed in his swim diaper and swim suit and then out of it and into his clothes after class, while also dressing/undressing myself. The chlorine and multiple showers/baths dries out H’s skin, but it’s not severe, and it’s all worth it!
Other Moms: The other moms are very friendly. Although, there isn’t much socializing going on because we have to concentrate on keeping the babies heads out of the water.
Music: B: No background music, just singing, but we don’t go to swim class for the music.
Make-ups: 1 make-up per session allowed. Email paul_meyer@ymcachgo.org or call (773) 248-3333.
Activity: Tons of activity. Swimming is great exercise for both of us.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Baby Class Reviews
I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Please find links to my reviews below:
Gymboree
Musical Magic
Bubbles Academy
YMCA Swim Class
Old Town School of Folk Wiggle Worms
Coming Soon
Little Gym
My Gym
Chicago Park District
Please find links to my reviews below:
Gymboree
Musical Magic
Bubbles Academy
YMCA Swim Class
Old Town School of Folk Wiggle Worms
Coming Soon
Little Gym
My Gym
Chicago Park District
Baby Class Reviews: Bubbles Academy -- Music for Crawlers
I will be rating baby classes on a 5 star (*) scale. I will also review price, age, size, length, cleanliness, space, parking, open play toys, instructor, content, Henry’s opinion, mom’s opinion, other moms, music, make-ups and activity. Some of the classes are exclusive to Chicago, and some are national/international chains. For a stay-at-home mom in the winter, baby classes are part of a survival guide. A baby class introduces you to other moms with babies of the same age, and gets you out of the house. Plus, baby gets to interact with others his age, which is great for his socialization and development.
Bubbles Academy
1504 N Fremont St
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 944-7677
*****FIVE STARS *****
Price: Drop in: $25 (call for reservation) $184 for 8 week session; $230 for 10 week session (depending on holidays) – Bonus: If you sign up for a session you can attend the open play sessions for free – otherwise it’s $10.
Age: Crawlers
Size: Medium/Large. Around 15-20 moms/babies
Length: 45 minutes
Convenience: Easy to sign-up online. Staff is friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness: Very clean. The toys are cleaned after each session, I think, but they are strewn about for songs and kids exchange toys. Usually the toys are returned for cleaning after each song. The open play part of the class has lots of climbing toys and balls that are shared. There is an antibacterial station with wipes and sanitizer. No shoes in the playroom. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: Amazing. The Meadow Room is a gigantic loft enclosed room. There is green plush carpeting, murals on the walls, a sloped wall, and butterfly cutouts and lanterns that hang from the ceiling.
Parking: Parking lot – FREE - across the street with Bubbles Academy permit.
Open Play Toys: Lots of different toys are put out for each song, and during the open play part of the class it is wonderland of climbing stairs, rolling balls, instruments, giant drums, mirrors, see saws, etc.
Instructor: Kim has a peppy disposition and a cutesy singing voice. She plays the guitar with the songs. Henry is mesmerized by her.
Content: Caregivers and babies sit in a circle at the beginning, but as the class moves along we walk in circles, spin around, run to the middle with baby rocket ships, bounce baby on our laps, put baby in laundry baskets and push them around the room like train cars. We also learn some signs. The first sign song we learned was “I like to eat apples and bananas.” The class is actually a workout. Wear short sleeves! Certain songs include baby musical instruments and toys, which are returned for cleaning. There’s also a bit of socializing with music in the background. Kim usually walks around blowing bubbles for babies. Most moms sing along. After the structured music part of class, there is a short open play period. Moms help Kim bring out large soft climbing obstacles, see saws, balls, etc. Babies and caregivers socialize. During the entire class babies are encouraged to crawl around and play with other babies. Some babies crawl all over the entire room without paying attention to the class or other kids.
Henry’s Opinion: H loves the freedom. He can crawl all over and there are lots of kids to play with. He also loves climbing on the open play toys, and on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, if Chris works late, we go to the free open play session from 5:30-6:30.
Mom’s Opinion: I love Bubbles for the huge room, the laid back atmosphere and great open play toys. The music is great. They put the words up via projector on the giant wall with picture.
Other Moms: The other moms are very friendly. Although, the class can sometimes be quite large, it is good because you have a large group to pick from. Generally, the moms are easy going, not germophobic, and let the kids wander around. It’s a great free atmosphere.
Music: A-: Cute baby music – some songs I know, and I like that Kim plays the guitar.
Make-ups: Call to schedule a make-up class. An absence is logged onto your account, and you can select any age appropriate class that week to substitute. No limit.
Activity: Tons of activity: crawling, dancing, singing, playing, climbing, signing, etc.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
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