From Cartwheels to Classrooms: Get School-Ready with The Little Gym

Starting school is a big step for little ones—and for their grown-ups too!

At The Little Gym, we support your child’s journey into reception with more than just physical activity. Our weekly classes help boost confidence, build strength, and support the kinds of learning they’ll be doing in the classroom—all in a familiar, fun, and nurturing environment.

If your child is starting school this September, keeping their weekly class at The Little Gym can be one of the best ways to support a smooth and confident transition.

Here are some of the questions we often hear from parents at this stage:

Q: If my child is learning new things at school, do they really need their class at The Little Gym too?

A: Absolutely! Our unique, play-based approach to learning is the perfect complement to what’s happening in the classroom. In fact, our preschool curriculum is carefully designed to reinforce those early learning experiences—just in a different setting.

The gym provides an environment rich in “learning through doing,” which supports children who learn best through movement (and that’s most of them!). Activities like climbing, balancing, and jumping help strengthen their core and upper body—key for handwriting, sitting still, and paying attention.

When children feel strong, successful, and confident in their own bodies, it shows in the classroom too!

Q: Won’t they be too tired or overwhelmed?

A: It’s a common concern—and one we totally understand. But in our experience, The Little Gym actually helps children recharge. Movement is like fuel for the brain! Our classes offer just the right amount of structure, energy release, and sensory input to help kids regulate after a big day at school.

Plus, children love routine—and with so many new changes in their week, having a familiar place where they know the songs, the structure, and the smiling faces can bring a lot of comfort and calm.

And don’t worry—if your child needs a little breathing space at the start of term, we can help with that too.

Q: What if they need time to settle into school first?

A: We get it. That’s why we offer lots of flexibility for our members. If you’d like to pause classes for a couple of weeks while your child adjusts to school, we’ll hold your place and you can make up those missed sessions any time during the academic year. We even allow siblings to use make-up classes, and you can apply three cancelled classes toward a 3-hour holiday camp during half term.

All we ask is that you let us know by 9:30am on the day of your class if you can’t make it. That way, another child can enjoy your spot for a catch-up session too.

Q: Won’t they just be doing the same thing they’re doing in school P.E.?

A: Not quite! While school P.E. time is often limited, our sessions are all about movement—from every angle. Each class helps children build strength, stamina, coordination, balance, and motor planning. These are the building blocks for sports and P.E., but also for everyday tasks like writing, dressing themselves, and focusing in class.

And with small group sizes (1 instructor to every 6 children) and a purpose-built environment, your child gets the attention and support they need to really shine.

At The Little Gym, we’re not just teaching skills—we’re nurturing independence, building resilience, and helping each child feel like a superstar in their own story.

From taking turns and following instructions to expressing themselves through movement, song, and conversation, everything we do is designed to help your child thrive—inside and outside the gym.

So when it’s time to swap soft play for school shoes, you can feel confident knowing The Little Gym will still be here, cheering your child on every step of the way