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Explorers Plus (28 months - 3 years)

Focus: Imagination

Where they are:

Jumping, climbing, crawling, and dancing!

What to expect in class:

Our play floor comes to life with a live construction site, dinosaur adventures, jungle fun, and even a trip to the fire station!  We’ll be improving balance and co-ordination skills along with building strong muscles and bones.

other Play & Learn classes:
Babies
Crawlers
Walkers
Runners
Explorers
Explorers Advanced
Family Play
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Explorers Plus 1

Frequently Asked Questions - Explorers Plus

What age are Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes for?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes are designed for children aged around 2 to 3 years. These classes support school readiness by encouraging independence, confidence, cooperation, and early learning through structured, play-based activities.

What happens in a Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus class?

Explorers Plus classes include physical challenges, creative projects, problem-solving activities, music, and imaginative play. Sessions are more structured and encourage children to follow instructions, work together, make choices, and express ideas confidently.

How do Explorers Plus classes support school readiness?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes help children develop listening skills, focus, confidence, independence, and social awareness. Activities encourage turn-taking, following routines, communication, and problem-solving — all key skills for a smooth transition to school.

How are Explorers Plus classes different from Explorer classes?

Explorers Plus classes place greater emphasis on independence, structure, and early learning. While Explorers classes focus on creativity and confidence, Explorers Plus sessions introduce more complex challenges, longer attention spans, and greater group participation.

Do parents stay with their child during Explorers Plus classes?

Yes, parents or carers stay with their child throughout the Explorer Plus class. Teachers guide adults on how to support independence, encourage positive behaviour, and help children navigate structured activities and transitions.

What skills do children develop in Explorers Plus classes?

Children develop confidence, coordination, communication, cooperation, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. Explorers Plus classes also support creativity, early learning, and independence through guided play and group activities.

Are Explorers Plus classes suitable for shy children?

Yes. Explorers Plus classes are supportive and inclusive, helping shy or cautious children gradually build confidence. Teachers encourage participation gently and positively, allowing children to engage at their own pace while developing social skills.

Are Explorers Plus classes good preparation for starting school?

Yes. Explorers Plus classes are designed specifically to support school readiness. The structured yet playful environment helps children practise routines, listening, group participation, and independence, making the transition to school more confident and positive.

What should my child wear to an Explorers Plus class?

Children should wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement and creative activities, such as leggings, joggers, or soft trousers. Children should have bare feet for safe movement on padded equipment. Adults should wear socks.

Where can I find Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes near me?

Gymboree Play & Music Explorers Plus classes are available at locations across the UK. You can find your nearest Gymboree Play & Music centre here: https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/

My son Jude loves the class and gets so excited when he knows we are going. I look forward to it also. The fact he can explore the room but engage in activities when he wants to is brilliant. The staff, children and parents are lovely and it’s always a welcoming space. Even when we have had to change a day or time, the other classes have all presented with the same amazing qualities. The staff members are incredible. They engage with every single child and bring a positive and happy atmosphere in each and every session. I admire how hard they work to create such an amazing environment for us in class. Thank you!

1 day ago

Karen who runs the Cheam Branch is simply outstanding, my two boys love her classes. She is engaging and so good with the children, her baby class in particular is the best baby sensory class around (and I’ve tried a lot!) ⭐️ would highly recommend

2 days ago

I have taken my granddaughter once a week for a year and she has thoroughly enjoyed every session. She has grown in confidence and developed her physical skills greatly. The children are placed in groups according to development which means it is suited for their particular stage. As well as developing children’s physical skills, the sessions also include singing, movement and language development. Can highly recommend.

3 days ago

We love Gymbo! I’ve attended the Bearsden and Milngavie classes since my 3.5 year old was 9 weeks old. We’ve done baby massage, gymbo music and the normal gymbo programme from babies to explorers and the classes are always well planned, inclusive, and just great fun. We recommend Gymboree to all of our friends!

3 days ago

My 5 month old loves her Gymboree classes! It’s a fantastic way to keep them entertained, get out of the house and meet other lovely mums. Each lesson is so wonderfully put together. Elanoor is obsessed with Karen and is mesmerised by her beautiful singing voice.

4 days ago

Karen is very kind and helpful. My daughter loved going to Gymboree.

4 days ago

My son absolutely loves the sessions, they are really well planned and really relaxed and inclusive.

4 days ago

Friendly and helpful people working there. Clean and well taken care of. The open gym for a 3.5 year old is a good option. The art sessions although engaging for the price of £40 it feels like something that can be done also at home. Maybe small projects at process art, might be more appropriate to the price.

4 days ago

We love gymboree and my grandchildren love it and have really come on and learned how to interact with other children. The staff are really lovely and friendly and so are the people who go

5 days ago

We moved to London and signed up our daughter (11 months at the time) for Gymboree classes. We religiously attended classes for over a year and couldn't be happier. She went from crawling to running around and jumping with Gymbo. She loves Gymbo and her Gymboree family and it's bittersweet to say goodbye as she is moving on to nursery and other activities. Thank you so much to Pav and each and every Gymboree teacher.

3 weeks ago

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Reviews

Both of my children (3.5 years and 11 months) go to Gymboree Play & Music and love it. My toddler goes to their drop-off Lego class which she raves about. It's very creative, working not only on Lego skills but also painting, drawing etc. My infant son loves his Gymboree Play & Music Crawlers class - particularly loves crawling all over their props, through the tunnels, etc. Great way to get the infant crawling over obstacles! Gymboree Play & Music is part of our weekly schedule for both kids and we look forward to participating every week. Invaluable!

Natalia

Cannot recommend Gymboree Play & Music Watford enough--truly THE BEST! ❤️🙌 What makes it so special are the amazing teachers/staff, especially Amber, Jack, Philippa, and Hannah! They’re not only incredibly talented in music and arts, but they’re also absolutely fantastic with kids of all ages.

My little girl was only 18 months old when we first discovered this wonderful place and started attending sessions. She’s now 5 years old, and we’re still here! That says it all 🥰

Rose

I genuinely believe that so many of my daughter’s milestones have been reached early because of the time she spends here. She was talking, walking, climbing, and exploring ahead of her peers, and I credit so much of that to the incredible environment and activities here. The space itself is wonderful — safe, clean, and full of opportunities for little ones to run, jump, climb, and burn off energy without any worries. But for me, Gymboree has been just as important as it has been for my daughter, especially as a mum without a village. ...What I didn’t realise was how much I would gain. I’ve made lifelong friendships and found a support network of the most incredible people.

Jennifer
Read more of our 1477 reviews
4.8 / 5