Ballet/Dance classes for a 3yr old

[dulwichgooner]

Our 3 yr loves dancing and we wondered if any parents knew of any suitable dance classes for her...more fun than professional please.

Would be handy if it's closer to E.Dulwich than the F.Hill end of Lordship Lane.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

[nunheadmum]

Fiona Foster's classes are definitely more fun for young kids. My 3 year old's class has some corkers in it (my daughter being one of them - more enthusiasm than control!) but Fiona is lovely and encourages them all. The kids love her. I'm not sure where her classes are now in ED but if you Google Fiona Foster Ballet, she has a website with the info.

[littlelegs1]

My daughters 3 and a half and goes to a ballet class at South London Dance Studios and she absolutely loves it! She's always going on about how much fun shes had and about the stories and dances they have done. I know they have quite a few classes a week and are very popular, I would defintiely recommened having a look into them. Check out their website, its www.southlondondancestudios.co.uk

[swagstar]

Get in touch with Kevin at Push Studio on Blackwater Court (off blackwater street) There is loads of dance stuff going on there and I think kids can start from as early as 3.

[JDR]

There are also regular classes held at the Harris Girls school from 2.5 years up. CAlled the Lets PErform Dance Academy owned by Miss Evelyn Hunter but the teacher is Miss Megan Faithfull. I think they do tues/thurs/sats... Teacher is quite a relaxed patient lady and not too strict. I know some parents like the strictness but this feels 'fun'. They also follow the Royal Academy of dance and do exams. Hope you find something she enjoys x

[oldnewromantic]

hmmm... Littlelegs1 and hamilh have only EVER posted with recommendations about south london dance studios.

[Fuschia]

Indeed

My daughter attends the Mcalpine dance school nr myatts fields

It's great

Saturday morning

[missmack1981]

This IS a genuine recommendation for South London Dance Studios though! Daughter started Melody Movement classes there (from 18months + I think) and is now in Nursery class.

It's a formal ballet setting and teaches ballet as a discipline but through song and stories initially.

Daughter honestly LOVES it there but she responds to the formal setting. If you're after a bit more of a run around/ dancing/ play session then perhaps not suitable for your child.

[oldnewromantic]

If you're after a formal setting with discipline, and formal exams, I'd recommend Blackheath School of Dance. I understand McAlpine is a formal one too.

[Fuschia]

I haven't anything to compare it to, but it does follow rad syllabus, uniforms etc

The staff are very friendly though, it's happy and relaxed

[clarabelle29]

hi there. do you have the contact details for the mcalpine in myatts field please.

[Fuschia]

http://www.mcalpinedance.com/

It's Louisa who teaches the preprimary - 945 or 10.30 on a Saturday morning

It's also Louisa who answers emails

[Mens]

I can also say that my girls also love slds.

However, don't join a saturday class. The building gets over-crowded and you feel like you are in a cattle market. I nearly left there until we moved to weekday classes and realised how much more relaxing it was.

One of my daughters has anaphylaxis and because they are so strict I trust them. My other daughter had selective mutism and the teachers were very kind and gentle with her. My youngest has medical needs and I won't worry as much sending her there as I would with a more relaxed school, especially if she wants to carry on when she is older.

It's not perfect (I hate crowds) and I don't have much to do with the principal so can't really comment but my girls like her. I think it's the kind of place that irritates parents but keeps the kids happy (well, my girls anyway).

[bertie 74]

Hi there, I know this thread is quite old but I want my 3 year old daughter to start ballet classes and wondered if anyone could offer a comparison between SLDS and the Leader School of Dance in West Norwood? Above all, I want something that will be fun and am not after something too formal. Anyone able to recommend one above the other? Thanks!

[budur]

Ballet classes at Push Studios, very handy as in ED just off Lordship Lane, classes at 4 on Mondays and Wednesdays, give them a call, it's Fiona Foster as already said above.

I much prefer them to South London (sorry girls) after watching SL's open day. It's 20 girls in the class, although with 2 teachers and a man playing a piano, but by the time they all say their name, line up, listen to the story, say the colour of the train etc., there's not much time left for the actual dancing. I don't send her there to learn colours and would rather have her dancing the whole time of the class. She spent 2 terms at SL and as soon as classes appeared in PS, I moved her here. I do like that all of the girls wear the same uniform though, looks much nicer and it's a proper school with a waiting room, changing etc. But at 3 years old, now she's 4 dancing for half an hour in a studio would do just fine, it adds extra time to get to SL as well.

[CJ_Scott]

We go to a small class at east dulwich leisure on Tuesdays. My three year old loves it but that could be because her friends are there too. I think you can still try a class for free before signing up. Contact details below

Arianna Wills Eos Dance School

[email protected]

www.eosddance.co.uk

[SJL]

Hi everyone, if any of you are looking for a good dance school, the best place to go is South London Dance Studios on Herne Hill. It is simply an excellent school. There is a wide variety of dance classes to suit all ages and abilities, the teachers are lovely, and the dance studios are of a high standard. The principal runs a very professional, organised school, ensuring the students are offered the best possible standards of teaching in a happy learning environment. My daughter has been a student since the age of 4, (she is now 10). She thoroughly enjoys going to SLDS. She loves her dance classes and has a lot of respect for both her teachers and principal. It is an important part of our daughters life, and I believe will continue to be so for many more years. My youngest daughter, age 3, will hopefully be joining the SLDS team early next year. Don't hesitate to give SLDS a call or email. Always a friendly, helpful person available on the other end, if not, they are very efficient and will get back to you promptly. Give SLDS a try. My daughter would not want to go to any other school.

[ryedalema]

Or...if you want something a bit different and more energetic, our 3 and 5 year old girls LOVE Irish on Saturday mornings at the Albrighton community centre, off Dog Kennel opposite Sainsbury's.

It's run by Debra Whelan who is a five-time world Irish Dancing champion, and she's really lovely with the kids. Incorporates lots of games...has regular little shows and parties.

One of best bits for us - lots of jumping and skipping, so little ones enjoy their naps still afterwards :)

Just a thought xxx