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 music class. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music class. 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.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Baby Class Reviews: Musical Magic Boogyin Babies
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.
My first review is of Musical Magic’s Boogyin Babies class. We went for a free trial run when Henry was already crawling.
Musical Magic
Roscoe Village
2255 W. Roscoe Street
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 529-5600
**** FOUR STARS ****
Price: $152 for 8 week session; $133 for 7 week session; $114 for 6 week session (depending on holidays)
Age: 0-12 months
Size: Medium. Around 10-15 moms/babies
Length: 45 minutes
Convenience: I often got the answering machine. Cash or check only. But she is flexible regarding when payment is made before the session begins.
Cleanliness: Super clean – toys are heavily regulated, and each time an activity is finished soiled toys are placed in a bag to be washed. No shoes in the playroom. (Scale: Super, Very, Kind of, Not at all)
Space: Pretty and small carpeted square room, colorful, but minimalist.
Parking: Street parking is easy to find.
Open Play Toys: Very few – just a few bean bags in the corner. All toys are regulated for cleanliness.
Instructor: Rosanne has a warm disposition and a beautiful singing voice. Henry loved her – he stared at her like a deer in headlights for half of the class.
Content: Caregivers and babies sit in a circle. Rosanne has background synthesizer music for songs, and sings herself. Some moms sing along. Each song includes different toys: musical instruments; puppets; scarves. At the end of each song the toys are placed into the dirty or clean bag. There was also a parachute. We walked around in a circle around the babies under the parachute – some started to cry due to separation anxiety. Henry just watched as I went around and finally started laughing and crawling towards me.
Henry’s Opinion: H loved the music and interacting with the other kids. It was our first baby class ever, and I realized he is a very social little person – I wonder where he gets it!
Mom’s Opinion: I love Musical Magic for its style and music. I think we might sign up for next session. I did not sign up for the fall session, however, because I felt that Henry needed more activity. Sitting in a circle wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted to crawl and inspect the room, but there wasn’t enough in the room for him to inspect.
Other Moms: The other moms were generally friendly and somewhat reserved. I’m actually surprised at how friendly they were considering we tested the class at the end of the session and they had already known each other for 7 weeks. The situation reminds me of some of the partners at my old firm. Why bother getting to know young associates when the associates would probably be leaving after a couple years. It takes a lot of energy to meet new moms – it’s like dating.
Music: A+ -- very cute baby music – most songs I didn’t know, and Rosanne has a lovely voice. The synthesizer is a little cheesy.
Make-ups: Make-up classes allowed in classes with availability. Make-up class must be taken within scheduled session. No rollover. No limit.
Activity: Some activity: playing with instrument toys, puppets and parachute.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
See other Baby Class Reviews.
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