Welcome to Balance & Beam -
Teaching little people to cartwheel into a happy and healthy life since 2006

Welcome to Balance & Beam offering a gymnastics-based child development programme for children from 4 months to 12 years. Situated on Festival Park, next door to Waterworld we are in our 15th year and going from strength to strength. We have a wealth of experience building confidence and self esteem in children of all ages through our child development programme and have well over 500 children coming to classes on a weekly basis.

Using imagination, creativity, themed lesson plans and extremely motivating & encouraging instructors, children thrive in our non threatening purpose-built gym and with small class sizes, children receive individual attention and skill progressions develop week by week over the course of a term.

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Free trials are conducted during our regular classes so that you can experience exactly what we have to offer. They are completely no obligation and our members tell us this really helped when making their decision.

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Baby / Toddler Gymnastics

4 months to 3 years

Pre School

3 to 6 years

Primary School Gymnastics

6 to 12 years

Up & Coming - News Stories

COVID-19 PROCEDURES & WALK THROUGH VIDEOS - April-2021

We continue to update our Post-Covid procedures in line with the Government's latest announcements and look forward to re-opening on 12th April 2021Here's what to expect when you come to classes Where possible we are still requesting that parents for our larger evening & weekend classes 'Drop & Go'Maximum of 12-15 adults in the lobby area sat at least 1 metres apart and face coverings to be worn at all timesFor our smaller classes & Parent/child classes one parent may attend with their child and you will be filtered into the gym one at a time as beforePlease do not arrive more than ten minutes before class as you will not be allowed in the building until the class before has finishedParents/Carers MUST wear a face shield at all times (over 11s). (Exemptions will apply as necessary)Everyone who enters the gym will be temperature checked – please do not come to class if you or your child is unwell - we reserve the right to refuse entryPlease also have your child in clean clothesPlease use our sanitising stations on entry for both you and your child and as often as you like, there are plenty aroundPlease use our NHS Track & Trace Code displayed in the lobby to check in (we automatically record who attends all our classes as a matter of course)Remember to enter your vehicle registration into our tablet if you have parked at WaterworldWe now have a separate ‘IN’ door and an ‘OUT’ door in the lobby to exit the buildingThere will be allocated ‘distanced’ markers in the lobby for you & your child to wait to remove shoes before class and wait to be called Please have your child in GRIPPY / TRAMPOLINE type socks (we will have some for sale £2)Maximum independent class size is 18-20 childrenParent/Child classes will be 10 Children + one parentYou will note from our revised timetable that we have allowed time in between classes to sanitise the gym & other areasIf you have a sibling with you, please bring your own books/something to keep them amused as we will not have any toys or books in the lobby to ensure no cross-contaminationWe will be requesting that children come ‘ready for the gym’. We will have cubbies INSIDE the gym for your child to put their belongings in themselves, including their own named water bottle, to alleviate coming in and out of the gymYou can use our party room if you have extra siblings and spaced out tables for homework or your own foodAll children (excluding parent/child classes) will exit the building at the far end of the gym. This means that once the instructors have given their ‘end of class announcement’ to parents 5 minutes before class end, you will be asked to queue outside the bottom end of the gym to collect your child thus reducing congestion in the lobby area and the chance to mingle and allows us time to clean the areas after useThe coffee machine will be available as normal you can take your mask off whilst drinking and then put it back on(did I need to say that)The water machine will be available to fill bottles only, but not for the children to come in and out of the gymWalk Through VideoHow Our Classes Run - New video Updated 1st September 2020How Classes will run Instructors will wear face masks or shields at most times in the gym.  We will also endeavour to coach responsibly from a distance (and continue to abide by Government legislation) Children in our independent classes will enter the gym and place belongings in cubbies, then find a space marked out on the mat Parent/Child classes will place their belongings in the cubbies in the lobby The red mat has been gridded out to keep the children at least 1-2 metres apart We will still conduct warm up activities and group activities on the red mat, but we will be adapting our lesson plans accordingly to keep the children distanced Hand Equipment, balls, sticks, bean bags etc., will be on a per child basis and put to one side after the activity to be sanitised after use We will spend time at the equipment where the children will be split into 2 groups of 6 initially, i.e. in ‘bubbles’ Instructors will still do ‘show and tell’ at the stations – the children will have spot markers to sit and watch Instructors will be vocally coaching the children around the equipment as much as possible. For parent/child classes, we will show parents how to spot and hold their child At the end of the classes we will return to the red mat for a socially distanced game & closing circle For parent/child classes, you will exit back into the lobby.  However, the children in our independent classes will put their shoes on whilst still in the gym and gather their belongings ready to exit at the rear door where parents will collect them The lobby & gym will then be hygienically cleaned ready for the next class. Instructors will also sanitise after their classCleaning ProceduresWe have increased our very rigid cleaning system even more during this post-lockdown period.  This will include cleaning down in between classes with a full and thorough end of day clean down - this will include disinfecting & sanitising,vacuuming- and paying particular attention to the following:High Touch AreasDoor handles • Disability rails • Switches • Taps • Sinks (including underneath and sides) • Toilet seat • Toilet flush handles/buttons • Toilet paper dispensers • Hand towel dispensers • Bin lids • Reception area desk • Cubbies boxes • Viewing windows / display cabinets etc. • Reception deskiPad • Computers / Laptops • TV remote • Gym-iPhone • Printers • Photocopiers • Telephones • Kitchen appliances - microwave, kettle, fridgeGym AreaSafety mats • Spring Boards • Coaching blocks • All Beams • A Frame Bars • Yellow Bars x 3 • Tumble Track Hand Apparatus inc, Balls, Bean Bags, Sticks, Scarves, Parachute • Coaching blocks • All Traps • Vaulting blocks • Beam pads & wideners • Rainbow Mats  • Spot MarkersLobby AreaCubbies • Viewing windows • Visitor Chairs & Tables • Coffee Machine • Reception desk/ Parking Tablet

Book your FREE trial session NOW and join us for our Spring Term + Prices

Well we seem to have skipped our Winter term due to lockdown but eagerly await to be back from 12th April with our New Spring Term which will run through for 12 weeks until 4th July.  We'd love you to join us and see how much fun we have so why not book a free trial session in one of our regular classes to see what we get up to each and every week.The price for the new term from w/c 12th April to w/e 4th July is £177.60/ 12 classes. We also offer an instalment option depending when you join. eg: £88.80 x 2 monthly payments or £59.20 x 3 monthly payments (fees are pro rated as and when you join)You will also need to pay our Annual family membership of £35 - which covers you for insurance in the gym and gives you the ability to swap & change classes should you have to cancel through illness or holidays, free parking at Waterworld plus other member discounts & benefits.  We will continue with our stringent housekeeping rules & regulations of sanitising & face coverings on entry & in the lobby to make sure that we remain as Covid safe an environment as possible and we do thank everyone for adhering to our rules including the 'only one parent per child' system & our separate entry/exit doors. We will let you know in due course whether we need to continue to follow the drop & go system for our larger classes adopted pre lockdown to keep the lobby area distanced but new visitors / trial parents are welcome to stay and watch their first class)Call us on 01782 214452 or email us info@balanceandbeam.co.uk and become part of our amazing Balance & Beam family.With classes starting at 4 months old there's no better time to get your little person into a social environment and encouraging them to interact in our classes post Covid-19.If you're a little anxious about joining a class please take a look at our New policies and procedures here Covid-19 Procedures or please call us to chat through any questions you may haveFor term time & class information please go to – Parent child (4 months - 3 years), Pre-school (3 years - 6 years), Primary School (6+ years)To book your free trial class or for further information please call us on 01782 214452 or fill in the Contact Form https://www.balanceandbeam.co.uk/contactClick through to our Youtube channel to watch some of our videos & see some of our testimonials www.youtube.com/balanceandbeamCheck out our facebook page to see what we get up to in class & read our testimonials. www.facebook.com/balanceandbeamPlease contact us on 01782 214452 or by email info@balanceandbeam.co.uk to book your free trial or for more information

Birthday Parties at Balance & Beam - We're Doing Covid Secure Parties

Our new Procedures, Post Covid-19 mean that we can still offer you a socially distanced party one Lockdown ends meaning that you and your friends can enjoy getting together again, albeit a little more distanced than usual.  Maximum children in a party for now will be 12Everyone is temperature checked on Entry and hand sanitised.  All children need to wear grippy socks (trampoline socks) in the gym.(We can provide these)  Equipment is sanitised after each class or party and kids frequently hand sanitise during our classes or partiesOur Red Mat is gridded out into larger 1.5 M squares and our equipment is set up so that the children will have plenty of space to have fun exploring the gym without having to get too close to friends.We are recommending that where possible parents drop their child off at the door, once we've taken all their details for our Track & Trace and then come back at the end to collect.  Those parents needing to stay will be distanced in the lobby area and will wear their mask at all times.  (We realise that some children may be anxious if being left so that's why this is an option). (Parent/child parties are still available obviously only one parent/child)  All children will be signed in to the gym to comply with our Track & Trace procedures. - Please click here to see out Post Covid-19 procedures Covid-19 ProceduresOur party room can nicely accommodate upto 24 children, but to keep them spaced out that's why we're saying just 12 children We've been voted No#2 Party Venue for North Staffordshire and we love to host YOUR parties so please don't leave it too late to find out about our fabulous, bespoke Covid safe birthday parties here - we are experts in catering to the age of your children. Parties slots are held on Sundays from 1.00pm.Price Information for a 1 hour 30 mins partyMembers… £200 up to 12 guestsNon-Members… £230 up to 12 guestsExtra ½ Hour to include the inflatable Tumble Track… £50**Additional Children up to a max of 15 at £9 per headParty Food must be Pre-Packed per Child or we can provide a Lunch Box @ £7.50Reserve your party slot NOWIf you are a Balance & Beam Gold card holder you will get £50 off your party.Please visit the Parties page of the website for more specific details about the parties.  FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN...THAT'S WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU BOOK A BALANCE & BEAM BIRTHDAY! If you are looking for a GREAT PARTY DESTINATION for your little birthday superstar, well look no further. Balance & Beam’s parties have been voted one of the TOP PARTY VENUES in this area.Every one of our private parties are brilliantly organised and unique. We work with parents and carers to ensure that their Balance & Beam Birthday Party is AWESUME for their child, totally STRESS FREE for them and FUN, FUN, FUN for everyone.We give you a 100% guarantee that everything will be just perfect for your little one’s special day.From the moment you and your party guests enter our bright and colourful, spotlessly clean gym our fully trained and experienced party hosts will take care of everything, meaning you just sit back and enjoy watching everyone having a fabulous time.About a Balance & Beam Birthday PartyFirst and foremost, CONTACT US NOW and reserve your party date… Our party slots book up quickly.Balance & Beam parties can be booked by both members and non-members.Our parties are suitable for 1-9 year olds and are completely instructor led by DBS checked, friendly & motivating staff.You will have exclusive use of our gym and all the facilities for the duration of your party.We can cater for mixed age group parties and create a party package that meets the needs of every child and their guests. You can choose either a 1 hour.30 mins or a 2-hour party slotWe supply you with cute party invites that contain all the details about your Balance & Beam party.We will set up everything for you, including your own prepared lunchboxes or pre-plated food. (We find that not too much food is best e.g.  one sandwich, crisps, fruit bag, Frube or similar & a small cake or biscuit to finish & a small bottle of water or Fruit Shoot etc.)Our party hosts will make sure the children can get into everything.   We can present your child with their Party cake but at the moment we recommend pre-sliced & packed cake for the party bagsAnd BEST OF ALL we do all the cleaning up.All your party guests leave with a helium Balance & Beam balloon to say thank you for having your party with usReserve your party slot NOW

Book your FREE trial session and see how exercise Benefits the Smallest of Children!

Exercise Benefits the Smallest of Children!Fun Filled Parent & Child classes at Balance & Beam...The earlier babies, toddlers, and pre-school children get introduced to daily exercise, the better the likelihood of healthy development in later life.Infancy and the toddler years are the time that the brain is developing pathways and connections to the muscles. Children who do not get enough exercise may miss out on the chance to make the strong kinds of brain-muscle connections that make physical activity easier and more enjoyable. As children grow and mature, it is this physical competence that makes exercise more likely to become a fun and life-long habit.Our professionally planned child development programme is suitable for babies from just 4 months old and is carefully designed to help both children and parents/carer. Parents are shown the correct way to support their child during each fun filled session, learning exercises that they can replicate at home, meaning little ones are getting the exercise that they NEED every day to help them stay healthy. It is really important for all children to be sociable as this will help them develop vital social skills important for their development. During each session babies and small children will be exposed to other children who they see enjoying fun physical activity. This means small children will associate exercise with having fun and this helps a child develop a love of physical fun and sport.Visiting Balance & Beam is as stress free as it can be with a little person in tow. We have full changing facilities, microwave, kettle, comfy seating and a great coffee machine.

“My daughter Freya regularly attends camps in the school holidays. She really enjoys the wide range of activities. The camps feature time in the gym as well as some fun crafty time. As a parent I know that I am leaving Freya in a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment and when she is picked up she is already looking forward to her next camp”

- Freya's mum

“I just wanted to email you and say a huge THANK YOU.- For listening to mine and my daughter’s concerns and for suggesting ways to help, and WOW did it help. To see her little face in class and others too, smiling and laughing & enjoying what they were doing. As her Mum I knew I needed to and trusted you enough to be able to talk to you. You proved me right, by listening, taking on board my concerns and changing things slightly to help my daughter I know to each and every parent, their child is special and they are the only thing that matters at that point, whereas you have hundreds of children to think of. Again, you embrace each and every child and this is unique and special. A well-deserved thank you and I’m proud to be part of the Balance & Beam Family”

- Karen- Mum to two little gymnasts

“What a wonderful 1st birthday party we had today, thank you so much for making it a very special day for our little boy. All the parents & children had a great interactive session and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Lucie & Mike, mummy & daddy to Dexter”

- Lucie, mummy to Dexter, aged 1 yr

“This was one of the most relaxing parties I’ve had. From a parent’s viewpoint, it's such a simple party to organise....and from the party girl’s viewpoint.....'epic party again Mum, even better than last year’s!”

- Alison, mum to Emily & Lucy

“For me balance and beam is now one of four core elements of care / socialisation for a toddler in their early stages. Exercise, strength and learning things in a class environment & out school clubs all obvious extra bonuses.”

- Martin, Dad to Ava, aged 5

“Just wanted to share with you this video of Edith conquering her fear this week and say a massive thank you, because it’s all down to your hard work and dedication. I know this doesn’t look like much, but believe it or not this tiny little beam is the root of all her fear! She had a nasty slip on it about a year ago and bust her lip, and since then has been scared of anything even remotely beam-like. Coming to gym has done wonders for her confidence and every single day she gets more and more adventurous when we are at the playground or even just messing about in the garden. Tackling the “original” beam at forest school this week is a huge thing for Edie and just goes to show how much her confidence has improved. Thank you all so much for everything you’ve done for her. The progress she has made makes a difference to her every day ”

- Bec, Mum to Edith age 3

“Would like to say a HUGE thank you for Macy's birthday party on Sunday, Mel and Ellie are a credit to Balance & Beam, so welcoming and organised, and generally lovely girls, really kept the children engaged, all the children had a lovely time and were asking their parents if they could come again, all the parents were impressed how lovely the gym was and just how fab the instructors were. Macy loved every minute, best party ever, so thank you again, especially to your lovely girls Mel and Ellie xx”

- Kelly, mummy to Macy Aged 4

“Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the best ever party. I didn't have to do anything at all, it was so stress free and the girls in the gym were amazing. We'll certainly be back next year”

- Sarah, mummy to Olivia aged 3

“Just a quick note to say thank you for all that you do at balance & beam, Thanks for the lovely bond you’ve all built with K & us as a family, For the time & effort you put into developing your children through the well thought out themes which you explain thoroughly in class, Keeping the Facebook page fun & exciting with birthdays & star of the week, The end of term certificates that we keep & the stickers you give which mostly get squashed or chewed but are very welcome, For your newsletters so we know exactly what’s happening & for all the other activities you make possible that we’ll look forward to joining in with as K grows, I can’t wait to have a birthday party with you! Thanks for always being so caring & asking how we are & for being so accommodating with our classes on weeks when K hasn’t been too well over the winter, Your skills at knowing how to safely encourage our little girl when she was just 4 months old & started coming to class have been so enriching for her, We’re very proud to be a part of balance & beam, thanks for facilitating such a fabulous skill locally, “Thank you ladybirds” ”

- Steph Mum to one of our Little Ladybirds (1 - 2 Years)

“Just a quick note to say how great I thought the class was last night - a whole world away from the last gymnastics class he did. Really good fun and a great variety of activities - I was amazed that he was doing the running/jumping forward rolls after a couple of attempts. He also really enjoyed it - he's not normally the most enthusiastic but he was talking about it all the way home after class and telling his friends the following morning on the walk in to school ”

- Sarah, mum to Sebastian (Aged 8 ½ )

“I just wanted to send in a testimonial for Setta for the Sunday advanced class. She does a superb job of the class every week and makes a big effort to give them a fully rounded gymnastics class - giving all the class their own routine is the icing of that cake. What I wanted to point out was how she is genuinely engaged with the kids to the point where it is clear how happy the children learning and improving makes her. It's lovely to see and I'm glad that my daughter gets such a pleasant, capable and committed coach each week. Rob, Dad to Emmy S (Aged 9 years) ”

- Rob, Dad to Emmy S (Aged 9 years)

“I've been coming to camps for 5 years and love spending time in the gym. My little sister Phoebe comes with me now so we have even more fun together”

- Poppy & Phoebe aged 9 & 6

“Thanks so much for making our birthday party so much fun yet again. This was Mollie's 4th Birthday party here and again all the staff were wonderful. Thanks so much to Yvonne & the team!!”

- Katie, mum to Mollie, 8yrs

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