Kimbalu is a music group for young children and their carers. The classes provide a fun, lively and relaxed environment in which there are opportunities for children and carers to both make new friends and enjoy quality time together. Held every week during term time, the session includes a half hour music class followed by toys and refreshments. During each class, songs both old & new are used to develop musical ability as well as language, speech & listening skills. The fast moving programme with a range of activities keeps the children focused and involved. There is time for sitting on laps,for moving and dancing about, for playing with instruments and for having fun with parachute, hoops, bubbles and scarves.
Having fun is of the utmost importance, and the emphasis placed on the session being a quality time of interaction and play with your child makes it a special time for you both; and a time for learning songs and activities you can share together at home. Kimba the friendly monkey comes along to every class and is loved by all the children!
11 September 2015 - More announcements
We are at present running classes in Hove, Shoreham and Southwick - we are hoping to resume Brighton classes at some point.
View timetableHove - £5 per wk. First drop-in half price. Free class & free hot drink from The Villas Cafe after 4 paid classes (with our loyalty card)
Shoreham & Southwick - £5 per wk. Fees payable in a half term block (usually 6 wks) Shoreham 11.15am & Southwick 11am are now 'Drop-in'. First class half price!
Make up missed sessions at any venue. No charge for extra siblings in same family
We go to Lorrie's class in Southwick and have been going since just before my four year old was born. Lorrie is wonderful - she has a way with the children, so that she is able to keep them under control but also allow them freedom. I love the fact that its not only a music class, but there are also other activities such as hoops and bubbles. Lorrie is great at adapting the class according to the age of the children in it, and the needs of those children. This has been one of the biggest bonuses for me as we attended as a family and the classes weren't age dependent, which meant they went together. The classes are set up so that you can have refreshments and a play before, and stay for a play afterwards as well. There is also a good mix of songs, with new songs regularly introduced. My oldest daughter still sends a Christmas card to Kimba the Monkey so that shows how much she enjoyed it!
We've been going to Lorrie's classes since Poppy was about 8 months old and they're great fun. Lorrie is very enthusiastic and still manages to control the group. I like that the sessions are very varied using songs, instruments, hoops, scarves and even a bubble machine! Lorrie manages to involve the adults without being patronising. Poppy seems to love it and gets up and dances a lot.
My son and i love Kimbalu music classes. It's a lovely atmosphere here. The people running it and the mothers are all friendly and super nice. The venue is great too, big and safe for the kids to run around, while you sit back and have your coffee. Brilliant for a tired mother!!
Excellent value. Children love it and plenty of room to express themselves.
Simply add a password and you are good to go!
11 September 2015
16 July 2015
13 July 2015
08 June 2015
27 February 2015
10 February 2015
27 January 2015
25 November 2014
19 July 2014
08 June 2014
I started my teaching career heading up the music in a Middle School and then went on to have four children,picking up the teaching again on a part time basis after a few years. Alongside this I began to teach pre-school music classes to children and their parents which I enjoyed so much that gradually I did more of this and less of the school teaching! I've always enjoyed singing and over the years performed in various concerts & recitals. Singing with kids is obviously very different...but so much fun! I've been running classes for over 20 years now, originally calling them 'Tots & Tunes' and, since 2000, giving them the name 'Kimbalu' using a monkey puppet called Kimba. As a busy mum I have kept classes to a manageable number and usually have between 100 & 120 families per week coming along to classes. Many families stay for quite a few years, starting when their first baby is a few months old and staying until their last one goes to school! Much as their kids love the music,I can't help but think that meeting up weekly with friends is a big incentive for mums! I love that we can give kids a wonderful musical start in life and at the same time give parents, grandparents and carers a place to come and make friends and spend a bit of quality time with their children.Having four kids of my own, I decided early on to charge per family unit and to create a class where families can come together to make music -you don't need to keep moving classes for each child! I work hard to make the classes relevant for the different ages in each class. Only one daughter left at home now...and time to expand a little I feel - looking forward to starting the move to others running Kimbalu classes in the not too distant future !!
We've been going to Kimbalu Music classes since Fraser was three months old and we love it. It's a lovely, social time for the Mums - I often go at 9.30 and end up staying until about 1.00 - there are toys out and tea and coffee is available. My boys think it's great - so much so that Lorrie did a "Kimba" birthday party for my son which was fabulous. She themed the party to my sons interests (trains), and used songs and props on this theme. I like the classes as they include a variety of activities - some sitting down and singing, different action songs and also getting up and moving around. The classes usually finish with something physical like bubbles or hoops. They've recently introduced pictures as well eg: transport or flowers, big picture cards, and then we sing a relevant song. The classes are regularly updated and this keeps the children engaged. It's also great value as you pay as a family.
Claire 14 Feb 2013