This week I discovered Gymboree Play and Music, a hidden gem of a venue for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in Westbury-on-Trym.

Tucked well away on a quiet road within walking distance from Bishopston, Gymboree Play and Music offers a variety of classes for 0 – 5s, fantastic soft play facilities and a cheerful café for the parents, carers and little ones who visit.

Open 6 days a week there is also a car park which makes everything just a little bit easier for parents and carers.

The Gymboree Play and Music team are friendly, cheerful and welcoming to all who visit.

There are a great variety of Gymboree Play and Music classes for children aged 0 – 5, all of which are based on  research on play.

Classes are structured according to the age and stage of the child. For example, classes for young babies focus on developing co-ordination and balance, and classes for slightly older children focus on developing confidence and imaginative play.

Classes include Sensory Baby Play, Play and Learn, Baby Massage, Art, Music, Theatre School, Family Classes and a Gymboree Pre-school.

Gymboree Play and Music also offers fantastic children’s birthday parties!

If you have a weekly class booking for your little one, your membership also includes access to free daily soft play sessions, plus daily use of the Gymboree Play and Music Café, a place to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of delicious cake while your child is kept happily entertained by the colourful toys there.

While I was there I watched a sensory Baby Play class in progress. This included Gymboree Play and Music’s award-winning Bubble Oodles, puppets, songs, movement, musical instruments, fibre optics and of course, use of the bright and colourful baby-sized soft play apparatus.

There’s also an unlimited make-up policy so should you ever miss a class, you can make up a class at another time convenient to you.

I chatted to one of the parents at Gymboree Play and Music that day, a mum of two young children who told me she has been a regular visitor there for several years:

“Gymboree Play and Music is a friendly, happy space, especially the café; it’s a home-from-home for me and it’s very relaxed and welcoming. My children love the free play sessions which are also very handy on rainy afternoons, they are very handy.”

“Another great thing about it is the brilliant flexibility – if you miss a class you can make it up another time that’s convenient to you.

“My little girl also had her 3rd birthday party here and loved it!”

Bristol Gymboree Play and Music really is a hidden gem for 0 – 5s and their parents and carers.

If you would like to find out more just pop in, you can be sure of a friendly welcome. You can find  Gymboree Play and Music at 38 Eastfield, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 4BE. Your first class is always free!

Or, if you prefer, you can contact Gymboree Play and Music by emailing bristol@gymboreeclasses.co.uk or phoning 0117 329 0670.

You can also find out more by visiting https://www.gymboreeclasses.co.uk/franchisees/bristol/#about-us.