Rach - Miss A's been doing Kindermusik since she was 7 weeks old and loves it!!! We're on holidays from it until February, and she's constantly asking on Fridays (lesson day) to go to see Eunice (her teacher).
For the next semester (2 terms - 16 lessons) we have to pay $225. That's the lessons and the At Home Pack which includes 2 books, 2 CD's of the songs that are sung during the semester, and At Home Book which has all the music plus lots of extra activities you can do at home and a carry case and an instrument that goes with the semester's curricula. I know at the studio we go to, they can organise payment plans, etc so it's not a big upfront cost - but you have to pay the deposit so you get the At Home stuff in time for the start of semester.
I would absolutely 100% recommend it - our experience has been really positive and we'll continue going until she's at least at school (they run programs up to 7 years old). HTH.
Last edited by mum3girls; January 4th, 2009 at 08:16 AM.
The way I see it is there is SO many free things, or really cheap things for littlies, that is is rediculous to charge that much for something like music!
We go to kinda gym which is $3 for 1.5 hours. We go to 2 playgroups both free. We go to rock and rhyme at the local library which is 1 hour of songs and music and they can even play these little shakers and bells. We go to story time which is also at the library and it's 45 minutes of story books.
I would prefer to save my money and send them to proper music lessons if they like when they are at school.
I should add when I looked into it, you had to pay the full $300 a term (3 terms here) and if you missed any lessons, tough luck. If you had to stop going or they hated it, tough luck. This is the big reason why I didn't go
We love our kindamusik... all three littlies go to three different classes (Emily is now in junior piano, so it does build them up for skills for real music). I would call and ask the teacher because I am sure you can join in for one lesson for free.
It's no where near $300 per term here, and our teacher does make up lessons.
Rach - They usually offer a free trial class to give you an idea of what it's like. Then you can check out the teacher as well and see if Jack likes it. For us, it's been brilliant. Miss A's gotten so much out of it - her vocabulary is absolutely outstanding, she loves singing and dancing, has a brilliant sense of rhythm and beat and has made some great friends and a really great relationship with the teacher.
The thing with missing lessons is the same here, but the teacher goes out of her way to make sure you can make up the lessons you've missed. And it's completely understandable why they do it - they've gotta make money out of it too - and it's kinda hard for that to happen when people miss lessons left, right and center.
ETA - Oh and the extra bonus of the brain development side of things is great as well (but that's just the teacher coming out in me )
Shar I have a coupon for a free lesson so will do it, it just seems like such a lot of money I could buy some great musical stuff for home for that $$$$
For "Australia's leading music program for kids' - and considering this is what I do for a living, I hadn't heard of this specifc program ... so I looked it up!
I used to do my own version of what basically seems like the same thing - and from what I can gather, I think it used to be called something else a while ago, which is why I didn't recognise the name
Had a look through their site - professionally speaking, I can say it looks pretty good... there are a few things that I don't personally agree with, but every teacher is different, and every set of parents will be looking for different things that they're hoping for their children to gain from a program like this one
I have to admit, I think the baby one is a bit much - I personally wouldn't take babies, because although I think its important to start music as young as you can (I played classical music to Luke in the womb as soon as I found out I was pregnant... and other things like that throughout pregnancy/early stages) - I don't believe a regimented program & taking $$$ from parents for children of that age is necessary, beneficial or worthwhile. (JMO )
That part of the program to me looks like a money maker for the teacher in my opinion... but thats ONLY my opinion!
Looking at the other programs & their age groups, it looks fairly close to what I was doing (I don't do the little ones anymore because I don't have the time to put into it whats necessary) and it all looks pretty good to me.
After checking on the site, I noticed a few teachers that I used to work pretty closely with (one lady in particular)... and I can say if they have their names to the program, then its a respectable one
Can't find out about $$ on their site, but can you guys tell me, the price you're paying - is it for a group session or individual? And how long is each session?
There seems to be a little difference just between you guys, so I'm wondering if they are teaching private lessons but under the regime of the program?
It's about $300 here for a term, and it's in a class. I'm not sure how big the class is. Nina loves music, so I'm looking into taking her, but I'm waiting until she turns 3 so she can get more enjoyment and knowledge out of it.
the cost isn't a big deal its more like *woah what if he hates it IYKWIM!!!!!!!!!!!
mel the only thing we have is playgroup which is run by a bunch of mine snob wives very clicky group...we are going to do kindergym this year but it is a 64km drive one way...seriously we dont even have a childcare centre
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... so I looked it up!
very clicky group...we are going to do kindergym this year but it is a 64km drive one way...seriously we dont even have a childcare centre
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