Boutique Gym Experience, Boutique or Bust?

Parents can pay an often hefty price to provide their young children the best in developmental opportunities. One parent's first-hand experience in a popular boutique gym begged the question, "Am I getting my monies worth?"
By: Kristina Kayden
 
 
Mrs.Pickles
Mrs.Pickles
May 4, 2012 - PRLog -- More than ever, parents are willing to pay for activities to educate and entertain their very young children. Fun, educational opportunities exist in the marketplace to help kids develop and grow throughout the different ages and stages of early childhood.  Chain gym and boutique facilities are popping up in major cities around the country offering classes ranging from art, music, sports, open play sessions and more.  Some classes described as "developmental" start children as young as 6 months old.    

There is considerable cost, however, attached to these types of early childhood development classes.  In some cases, parents pay an enrollment fee on top of a the monthly fee for a class.  A top provider of these early childhood development classes offers four weeks of classes and periodic open play times.  The questions is, are parents getting their monies worth?  Do classes (i.e. sports, music, crafts) for young children really help them develop or are parents paying for a name?  

In order to learn more, I decided to do a little research and signed my daughter up at the Gymboree located in one of northwest suburban Chicago communities adjacent to where I live.  I paid a $50 enrollment fee and I paid a $69 a month class fee.  At the time, my daughter was 14 months and after two months, I felt like I had spent enough money and time participating in the program.  It didn't require another $50 tounderstand how this particular boutique gym worked.  

LIKES

Let me start with what I liked. I liked the music and the repetition of the songs and activities week-to-week, repetition is important to support learning.  I also liked when some of the staff members made suggestions about how to use the equipment during the opening play time.  And I liked what I know many of the other mothers like too; it got my daughter and me out of the house and gave us something to do once a week.  And they handed out Gymboree discount coupons to their retail store.    

DISLIKES

What did not impress me started with my free trial class.  The big issue for me was that no one took the time, either before class while I was signing up or during, to explain how the class works, the structure, what to expect or even why this was a good thing.  I was signed up by the manager, but even she did not think to take time out and make me feel welcomed.    

PAYING TO PLAY?

Where I began to believe I was paying for my daughter to play was when 67% or 30 of the 45 minutes of class time was spent in open play.  This seemed a bit excessive.   In the last 15 minutes of class, it is more structured.  We sang songs, blew bubbles and played with a parachute.  While I understand the importance of free play and exploration, At the time, I knew I was looking for a little more interaction from the teacher throughout the class.    

Over two months, and eight classes, my daughter and I had five different teachers.  Each had a different level of engagement yet if I had to rate them all, none,  unfortunately, exceeded my expectations.  The problem I observed was they seemed more focused on moving equipment around and getting ready for the last 15 minutes of the class, instead of helping customers like me develop a deeper connection to the program's overall experience.  I would categorize the staff as nice but seemingly unqualified and under-invested to provide any level of child development beyond 15 minutes.  

Frankly, I expected more for the money.  The experience left me feeling more like I was paying for my child to play than providing her opportunity to receive all the developmental benefits this Company bragged about.  Of course, this was just one experience and to be fair every boutique program is going to have its pluses and minuses.  I am sure there are some really great  child development programs that are worth the money but this one was a disappointment.
End
Source:Kristina Kayden
Email:***@jellybeansports.com Email Verified
Zip:60120
Tags:Tot-classes, Child Development, Jelly Bean Sports, Boutique Gyms
Industry:Family, Sports, Services
Location:Illinois - United States
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