Our Pre-School gymnastics classes run from Mondays, during school hours.
‘BUTTERFLIES’ – our Pre-school sessions for boys and girls over 3 are structured, fun and safely run by qualified British Gymnastics Pre-School coaches. Lessons are planned carefully each week to offer variety and give stimulus to the child’s physical and social development, whilst teaching a variation of safe progressions and still having fun! We try to encourage all of our Pre-School children to learn early balance, co-ordination and basic gymnastic skills through a variety of age appropriate and fun activities, focusing on motor skills, spatial awareness, strength and agility. All of this is taught in our purpose built gym using specialist equipment.
‘CATERPILLARS’ – our Gym tots sessions for under 3’s , are unstructured, enabling the toddler to enjoy the session with their parent/carer, whilst our coaches act as a guide to help you and your child work together building confidence and skills
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All Pre-School staff are qualified, insured and DBS checked via British Gymnastics
CATERPILLAR GYMTOTS – Mother and toddler classes for children from walking to 3 years
PRE-SCHOOL BUTTERFLIES – Independent classes for gymnasts from 3 to 5 years
UNIFORM
The Bromley Valley Pre-school Butterfly uniform is provided by Graduates school shop, 201 High Street, Orpington, tel number 01689 821439.
CLUB SAFETY RULES AND CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GYMNASTS
As a member of Bromley Valley Gymnastics Club parents and gymnasts are expected to abide by the following club rules in Pre-School:
Please inform the Head Coach of any injury or illness they may have before the beginning of the class.
Please ensure you arrive in time for the start of the lesson. The warm up is a very important part of the session and children that arrive continuously more than ten minutes late may be told that they are not permitted to take part.
Please ensure your child goes to the toilet BEFORE the class.
Please do not enter the gym or go on any apparatus without a coach being present.
We would like gymnasts in our over 3 Pre-School classes to be ‘dry’ – If your child is still in “pull ups” or has a medical condition please speak with the head of Pre-School.
Long hair MUST be tied back off the face with SOFT hair ties. Hard or plastic hair bobbles will have to be removed.
Gymnasts will not be permitted to take part in a session if they are wearing jeans, a hooded top, skirts, flared trousers, or any clothing with zips or toggles.
No jewellery of any description is to be worn. Please note that this includes all earrings, even stud earrings are not permitted as they invalidate our insurance.
Gymnasts are not allowed to eat or drink in the gym. Should your child wish to bring a drink it must be kept outside.
Children will not be permitted to leave the Pre School gym unless they are collected by a parent/carer. We therefore ask that you do not leave the centre whilst your child is in a class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bromley Valley a British Gymnastics registered club?
Yes, and we are also a member of London Gymnastics, the regional governing body for our sport.
What is the British Gymnastics membership fee for?
This annual fee (September to September) includes the gymnasts’ insurance, without which they are not permitted to take part. The fee is payable at whichever part of the year you join and will still expire and need to be renewed directly with British Gymnastics, in the month of September.
Can I sit in the gym to watch?
Parents of “over 3 years” Pre-School gymnasts are not permitted inside the gym but we have a small waiting area outside the gym itself that you are welcome to use to watch the class or entertain younger siblings.
Does my child have to wear the Bromley valley uniform?
We like the gymnasts to wear our uniform as it is the safest type of clothing for the children when they are in the gym. It also gives the children a sense of being part of Bromley Valley. The uniform has been specifically chosen so that the little gymnasts can wear it during their transition into the main gym without looking too different to the older gymnasts. Most parents find that once they’ve bought it, the children don’t want to take it off!
At what age do the children leave Pre-School and transfer into the main gym?
BUTTERFLY Gymnasts stay with us in Pre-School gym until they start full time education. Children that are members of Pre-School are given automatic preference over the waiting list for after school recreational classes in our main gym.
My Gym Tots toddler seems very able; can I put her into the BUTTERFLY Pre-School sessions early?
Gymnasts cannot enter the gym independently until the half term in which they turn three.
Are the classes structured?
Yes, but only in our BUTTERFLY classes. All classes start with a cardiovascular warm up, and some basic mobility and flexibility exercises. Gymnasts are then put into groups where they rotate around the equipment in the gym with their coach. Most groups have no more than 5 to 6 children in them.
I have a very clingy child; can I sit in the gym with him?
We try to discourage parents from coming into the gym as it unsettles the other gymnasts. Our Pre-School coaches are very understanding of nervous or clingy children and will do their best to reassure them and settle them with as little distress and upset as possible. Previous experience shows that the children settle much quicker if you are happy to just leave them and let the coaches take control. We’re happy to do what you feel will be best for your child as most of all, we want them to be happy!
Can my four year old sit in the gym and watch the Gym Tots session?
During a Caterpillars Gym tots session, older siblings are more than welcome to sit on the bench and watch, as long as they do just that! Unfortunately we cannot let them join in or take part in the session due to insurance.
Can my child just come and try one lesson to see if they like it?
Unfortunately we cannot offer a trial session, however, you are more than welcome to come along and watch any lesson before you commit to full term’s fees, but generally the children like the look of it so much that they don’t want to sit still and watch!
Do I need to give notice if I wish to leave?
Yes please. We currently have waiting lists for each class so we politely request that you give half a term’s notice should your child wish to leave.
I have a complaint or a concern, who do I speak to?
Please inform Sarah Welch our Head Coach of any concerns you have on 0208 300 5964 or email office@bromleyvalley.co.uk. If you need an informal chat, or you wish to inform us of anything regarding your child then please speak to one of our Pre-School coaches after your child’s lesson. Further support can be obtained from our Club Welfare Officer – Gemma’s details are posted on the noticeboard adjacent to the main office.