I'm glad I did, she LOVES it. She joined Gym Babes at ten months old (although the minimum age is six months) and was walking two weeks later. It provided her with SO many different opportunities, equipment to climb and learn skills such as balance. Caring staff to show me how best to encourage her and to help when needed/asked. Toys that she would not have come across before to build co-ordination and, of course, the all important interaction with other children. Being an only child (for the moment at least) she doesn't get much contact with other children her age, so this was a big selling point to me.
It's not the cheapest of classes available out there but it is definitely value for money. The staff are supportive and encouraging as well as both friendly and reliable. The amount of equipment is amazing, and the possibility of different arrangements is endless. If you cannot make a session due to illness (either yours or your child's) you have the rest of the term and usually multiple different session options to attend so you don't loose any money. Both myself and Niamh have made friends through the club and in a strange twist of fate the woman that runs Niamh's group is the same woman that ran my sisters group all those years ago.
When it comes to my health they are brilliant. Other than the ability to make up sessions (that I have already mentioned) the staff will take Niamh round the equipment for me if I am unable to and bring me chairs to sit on during the song times. Niamh is used to this, but obviously the other children aren't, but the staff leave it up to me whether or not I want it explained, which at the moment I'd rather not, so we're all happy!
The one time I have had a bad experience was when an older child quite violently grabbed Niamh in a head lock and ran his nails down her face. Now, don't get me wrong kids will be kids but this was a bit too violent for my liking and the parent with him made no effort to apologise for his behaviour, check whether or not Niamh was okay or tell her child that what he had done was wrong. That said it wasn't all in all an negative experience. This sort of thing will happen in any arena where small children are gathered together and it's clearly part of a learning experience and the way in which the staff handled it was amazing. The following week I spoke to the leader out of concern and they informed me that they were aware and had began watching the boy in question and that they had moved him up into the next group. So yeah, the situation was pretty negative but my trust in the organisation was really tested and they definitely came up trumps!
If you want any more information I have linked the website for you all here. In Mothercare at the moment I know there is a voucher that offers deals to new applicants. I'm sorry to say I don't know all the details. I think you get it if you make a purchase in Mothercare and that it is only for new members (helpful if you've never thought about it or have a younger sibling who you may wish to enrol). I have done some research on the internet but haven't been able to find anything definite and I haven't been well enough to go to Mothercare and ask, I was told about it at group but my memory is rubbish at the moment! I will ask next session (a week on Monday due to the bank holiday) and update you all then!
