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"Jungle gym mini classes are recommend for children between the ages of 1-4 years. So I decided now my 16 month old son was walking, it was time to get him enrolled. There are so many tot class about tumble tot, socca tot and baby ballet to name a few it is hard to decide which is right for you and your child but the Jungle Gym mini class were just down the road from us so that help the decsion.
Jungle Gym mini classes take place all across Leeds at various leisure centres. The classes have to be booked in advance and you pay up front for the term. I decided to sign up at Kirkstall leisure centre they have a enrolment morning. It best to get their early as classes seem to be very popular. It is a bit of pain queueing up and sorting out getting your kid signed up as it took us nearly an hour and much of that was spent queueing to pay. Anyway once sign up for the term you just arrive for class day and time you've chosen. They run both morning and afternoon class various day of the week so should be one to suit everyone schedule.
Basically parents/guardians work with their children under the guidance of a pre school gymnastics coach using hand apparatus and larger apparatus and soft play equipment to learn the basis skills of gymnastics and try to work towards attaining the six badges of the jungle gym rewards scheme. The week between signing up and first class I was telling everyone how my son was going to start training to be world class gymnast, as a parent I think its ok to have high hopes for your child even if he has only just begun to walk.
At our first class I was surprised how many children were their roughly 20. The class takes place in a gym hall. Around the edges are larger apparatus for the children to climb and walk along. In the centre was soft play equipment for the children to crawl through and jump on. The instructor was very friendly and was wonderful with the children constantly encourage them and praising them. I was surprised how much was crammed into a 45 min class. My son played on the larger apparatus, got to try swinging which I have to say made me very nervous at first but the instructor held his hands while he held the bar of the swing and he loved it he was smiling and laughing while he was swinging it was great to watch him. She also got him started on forward rolls. There is also a time for singing songs and dancing. All the kids seemed to having a great time. I would suggest making sure you take a snack for little one afterwards as they are likely to be hungry and thirsty afterwards. It a fantastic was of getting them to excises and wear them out so they'll need a nice long nap so you can have so time to yourself. Also good place to meet and chat to other parents and carers everyone attending my class was very friendly and chatty. I was pretty tired myself after chasing round after my son for 45 mins.
The classes cost 39 pounds for the term but there is a discount for Leeds card and Leeds card extra holders.Which I felt was very good value compared with schemes like soccatots which is 58 pounds a term plus the starter kits cost 20 pounds on top of that. There is plenty of free parking at the leisure centre and it is very easy to find it on the main Kirkstall road. If you are interested I would suggest calling your local Leeds Leisure centre to find out when the enrolment day is.
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