First Ballet Class: Everything You Need to Know

It is always exciting for children to attend their first ballet class. If you have booked a trial lesson for your child with us, here’s what you need to know:

Venue Address:

Haven Green Baptist Church, W5 2UP.

Entry Instructions:

Upon entering the reception, please press the Macbeath Hall button for entry.

Uniform:

No need to buy a uniform for the trial lesson. Dress your child in something comfortable to dance, such as a t-shirt, leggings, and anti-slip socks. If you decide to sign up for our regular classes, you will need to purchase the uniform set according to our policy.

Chairs are provided for changing —one chair per child, please.

Hair:

Ensure your child’s hair is in a ponytail, and if they are comfortable, a ballet bun is the preferred option. You can find instructions on how to make a ballet bun here.

Arrival Time:

Children who have never tried ballet before, often need time to become familiar with the environment. Please arrive 5 minutes early. This allows your child to become familiar with the venue, teacher, and other children before the class begins. Make sure your child visits the restroom before class begins. This simple measure will reduce disruptions during the session, enabling all participants to fully engage without interruptions.

Observation:

You may think the trial class is mainly for your child, but it is also an important opportunity for parents. In most cases, it is the parents who decide to sign their child up for ballet, while young children may not yet fully understand what ballet is or why they are attending the class.

The trial class allows parents to meet the teacher, observe the atmosphere, and see how the class is structured. It is also a chance to watch other children who have been attending for some time and to imagine what your child may achieve after a few years of training.

Please feel free to stay and observe the session. If your child is shy or reluctant to join the group, please do not push or drag them. You are welcome to dance together with your child or simply comfort them while sitting and watching. Children need time to feel comfortable, build trust, and connect with the teacher, the other children, and the new environment.

End of Class:

At the end of the class, you may notice that other children have ballet achievement books. Please do not worry — your child will receive their own personalised book as soon as they enrol in regular classes.

The book is provided free of charge. However, if it is lost, a replacement copy costs £5.

Once the children have received their booklets, they will be released to their parents in the corridor. Afterwards, you are welcome to ask any questions you may have. However, please be mindful that there may be another class waiting to start.

Space Consideration:

Be mindful of space in the corridor. If your child is already in the dancing hall and the corridor is crowded, please move to the pre-corridor area.

Please be reminded that all rooms, except reception, toilets, and corridors, are off-limits for general use. This includes the Lower Amherst room.

As there is only limited space in the reception area, please do not arrive early or leave late (certainly no more than 10 mins either side).

Chairs are provided for changing into the uniform—one chair per child, please.

Hydration:

Do not give water bottles to your child inside the hall. Instead, have it with you, and after the class, offer your child a drink.

Pick-up Protocol:

Use the call button for entry. If possible, wait in the reception area until a few more parents arrive to enter together, minimizing disruptions for the children.

Parking:

This is only available on a first come, first served basis and availability cannot be guaranteed.  Please do not block access to other cars. Note that the 3 spaces at the top of the carpark are for Haven Green staff only and need to be kept clear at all times. There is parking available on the surrounding residential roads (restrictions operate 09:00-10:00 and 15:00-16:00 Monday-Friday only).

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish your child a delightful experience during the ballet trial lesson.

Contact us if you have any questions.