Toddler movement/dance classes on Tuesday mornings

[lorraineliyanage]

Can you suggest some local classes on Tuesday mornings for a walking toddler to rampage around and maybe bop around to some music? The music and song classes are not of much interest as she just wants to go off exploring and jumping around now. Thanks

[candj]

I think Diddidance have classes on Tuesdays (not sure of the time). My little one just started taking the class on Wednesday mornings after she went to a birthday party where Anne Marie from diddidance was the entertainment. It was great fun. Hope that helps!

[lorraineliyanage]

sounds great, i'll look into it, ta!

oh - it's tuesday afternoon at 2pm, i'll be baby-free by that point unfortunately

[candj]

Look in SE22 magazine because there were loads of classes in the baby section. Sorry I tossed mine to the recycling sharks this week otherwise I'd look for you.

[Fuschia]

Not music, but CP one o'clock club is on mornings and is great for a toddler

[lorraineliyanage]

hi fuschia, i can't get to the CP one o'clock that easily as i can't drive and i think it's two busses from mine. it's too uphill otherwise i'd cycle it although it would be a good way to get fit!

[Fuschia]

Is the Brockwell park one open mormings, or Ruskin Pk?

[Fuschia]

Fuschia Wrote:

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> Is the Brockwell park one open mormings, or Ruskin

> Pk?

I think not...

But leapers is at Rye Oak Primary. Very nice sessions, even if they are a bit regimented

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_45148.pdf

[lorraineliyanage]

Yep I just remembered Leapers, will definitely do that as our regular Tuesday morning class as the 9am start is perfect.

I like the woman who runs it, her no-nonsense discipline reminds me of my mum!!

[scotlass]

What happens at leapers? I'm looking for something on a Tuesday morning too

[Fuschia]

It is like a nursery but parents stay. Small, well equipped room, outside area, staff. There is juice and biscuits time and circle time... they are very hot on children behaving appropriately during those bits.

They do come across as rather bossy, and have quite a lot of procedures and policies (hot drinks served with protective bowls) but the atmosphere is lovely and calm.

It's very safe, not a bit "wild west" like some playgroups!

[lorraineliyanage]

Best of all, it's free. It's amazing how much brilliant free stuff for kids there is in Southwark.

[scotlass]

Sounds great, will definitely give this a go :)

[The Nappy Lady]

I've heard Leapers is changing soon and attendees can only go if referred by their HV. This is because they are not meeting their remit of helping low income etc families .... Too many White middle class mums there, and with limited places others can't get in.

Not sure when it is changing, may be after half term.

I do understand as when I went I found the child education part of it very patronising but now realise why.

Molly

[Mellors]

I can confirm Leapers is changing to sessions you will have to sign up for. Probably after the Feb half term. Much to the disgust of Jean who runs it.

It currently runs 9am - 11.30am and 1pm - 3.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday (you can only go to one morning session out of the two though). You need to be there on time to get it.

We love it :)

[Pickle]

Yes, it's definitely changing to sessions that you sign up in advance for, but I'd not been told about the HV referral bit. I know the "white middle class" issue had been raised, but as of the end of term when I got an update from Jean I hadn't heard of it being taken any further (although had been told they would have 2 spaces per session reserved for special needs children).

[lorraineliyanage]

I doubt my HV would be interested if I got in touch just to get a referral to a playgroup, surely they have other things to do with their time?!

[millsa]

I have come across the 'white middle class issue' recently while visiting a couple of nurseries in ED - staff showing us around mentioned 'white middle class parents' with disgust in their voice. It made us visitors - about 20 white mums in their 30s - feel quite uncomfortable. I understand the need to for equality but it is hard to get it in an area predominantly of white middle class isnt it?

[lorraineliyanage]

I'm not sure ED is predominantly white, although am not sure where you'd find the statistics, but someone out there must know how to. Just a quick glance around the streets (ok, maybe not Lordship Lane so much) and the kids going to schools such as Goodrich and Heber shows a good mix of ethnicities, but maybe this is not reflected in the nurseries and playgroups.

[millsa]

I wouldn't know anything about schools so you are probably right - I base my very layman observation on LL, nurseries I have visited and many toddler groups I go to

[charlottekb]

I went for my taster session at Diddidance and it was absolutely brilliant. Anne-Marie is fantastic with the kids and my little boy took to it right away. He got a bit shy towards the end but all the other kids who had obviously been going were engrossed. The only thing is that its at 2pm which can be a stretch with the afternoon nap. I can see us fast becoming regulars :)