Helping your child take their first steps in dance
Introduction
First Steps Dance is an established dance school in Essex, running dance sessions in Southend and Westcliff. We aim to provide dance lessons that will be enjoyable for both you and your children. First Steps Dance has been designed so your child can start dancing as soon as they are up and walking. Getting them involved in a structured but fun class from an early age will really help them later on in life when they start sports at school or wish to continue dance at a more advanced level. Following a great pre-school program we also offer sessions for over 5's. "Next Steps Dance" program allows those children at school to keep enjoying dance in a fun, friendly environment.
Location
First Steps Dance runs pre-school classes at St Edmunds Community Centre situated in Pantile Ave, Southend on Sea. This hall can be found just behind Temple Sutton School. Click here for an interactive map of the location.
We also run classes for the over 5's at St Peter's Church Hall, Westcliff-On-Sea.
Classes
First Steps Dance for Pre-schoolers consists of various adapted ballet and modern examination exercises and fun rhythmic response tasks. With the exciting use of props and children’s imagery, combined with the syllabus, creates a fun active class suitable for a wide range of toddlers, both girls and boys. With regular attendance your child will develop their balance, ability to control movements and improve their rhythm and co-ordination. Being in a class environment will also help towards social skills, allowing interaction with others and gaining confidence to demonstrate exercises in a large space in front of others.
We also run special events throughout the year along with the class work- such as themed workshops and small shows, where the children are able to put on a fantastic performance for all the parents and family members. This demonstrates the skills they have learned throughout their time with us. Visit the Blog and Gallery pages for more details.
For exact times and availability please contact via email or phone to avoid disappointment. Classes are held on Mondays and Thursdays for a duration of 40 minutes. Exact times are detailed in the timetable here.
Following your toddlers dance training, we are excited to bring to you a further dance training program for those of school age. This class for 5+ students is held Thursday evenings from 5.15pm at St Peters Church Hall, Westcliff. Each lesson will consist of a dance warm-up, barre and centre work. It will cover body toning exercises and combine, tailored dance stretches for the body. Each child will gain technical dance skills, develop their co-ordination and gain the ability/confidence to make and perform a choreographed dance sequence. All music used will be appealing for an older age range of children and be put together in a fun dynamic way allowing them to have a fantastic dance class every week.
Requirements
There is no set "pre-school uniform" that you are required to purchase, as we aim for a relaxed fun feel to the class. Soft stretchy clothes that allow freedom of movement (no jeans please). Plimsolls, soft trainers or ballet shoes are all suitable footwear. Socks maybe too slippery, boots/shoes are a little too clumpy, so please avoid.
Students in the 'over 5's Thursday class', need to wear a leotard of their choice and ballet shoes (any colour) are also a requirement.
There are some rules regarding payments which can be found on the timetable page here
Charges
First lesson is offered free of charge (subject to available spaces)
Thereafter the charge is £5.75 per class, payable on a week by week basis for the first 3 weeks, following your free session.
If you and your child enjoy your time with us and wish to continue then we would ask that you pay an up front 6wk payment, charged at the normal rate of £5.75 per weekly class.
Please contact First Steps Dance either via the weblink below or by phone/email prior to arriving for your first class to avoid disappointment as spaces may be limited. If there are no available spaces then we can add you to our waiting list and will contact you as soon as a place becomes available. Please remember to add your contact details to any enquiry to ensure you recieve a reply.
To view Kay's profile please click here
To view the 2024 timetable click here
If you require any further information please email firststepsdance@sky.com or visit the contact page here Contact us here.