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PRe-k & kinder CLASSES
1 year to Kindergarten
Our Preschool Program is designed to meet the needs of children not yet in grade school. These years are extremely important because development is rapid. No two children are alike and because of that, they reach developmental milestones at different times. What's most important at this age is that they be allowed to grow and mature at a pace that is comfortable for them. Keep this in mind when choosing a class for your child or see our guide below.
Ready Set Move with Me (age 1-3 with caregiver)
What is Ready Set Move with Me?
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Engage * Explore * Express
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Ready Set Move with Me is a creative movement and music class for toddlers and their grownup. Through playful music activities, obstacle courses, sensory exploration, and imaginative movement, little movers develop coordination, creativity, confidence, and early social skills. Join our community to discover new ways to connect, play, and learn together while creating special memories with your little one. Come bounce like a bunny, move slow like a sloth, and experience the joy of movement together!
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Thursday 3:30-4:15 pm
or
Saturday 10:00-10:45 am
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Fall 2026 Session (10 weeks)
September 12 - November 21
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Winter 2026-27 Session (10 weeks)
November 30 - February 20
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Spring 2027 Session (10 weeks)
February 22 - May 8
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Summer 2027 Session Info to be Released February 2027
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Preschool and Kinder Dance (independent)
3 - 5 years (independent)
Ready Set Dance & Tumble
Choice of 3 Days:
Tuesday 4:00-5:00 pm
Wednesday 4:00-5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00-10:00 am
Dance, Tumble, and Grow with Ready Set Dance!
Ready Set Dance & Tumble combines the joy of dance with the excitement of tumbling in a class designed specifically for children ages 3-5 who are ready for an independent class.
Through original music, imaginative movement, and playful skill-building activities, students develop confidence, coordination, balance, strength, and creativity while learning the foundations of dance and acrobatics.
Using safe, age-appropriate progressions, children are encouraged to explore, grow, and discover the joy of movement in a fun and supportive environment.
Enrolled in Kindergarten (independent)
Kinder Pre-Ballet & AcroDance Combo
Choice of 2 Days:
Tuesday 4:00-5:30 pm
Saturday 10:45 am-12:15 pm
Intro to Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop
Note: this combo class does not perform in recital
Monday 4:00-5:30 pm
Kinder Pre-Ballet & AcroDance can be taken separately or as a combination class but Intro to Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop must be taken as a complete combo.
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Pre-Ballet (45 minutes): A unique approach to teaching pre-ballet - it blends a traditional dance syllabus with quirky quips and fun phrases - Maximizes the great and unlimited potential of Kindergarten-aged students - Progressive, comprehensive, and consistent movement-oriented program - Interactive nature engages and inspires - Fosters students' love for ballet and helps smooth the transition and "bridge the gap" into more advanced levels of training
KinderAcro (45 minutes): Acrobatic Arts is a progressional system for teaching AcroDance. Through thoughtful progressions, teachers will introduce new skills as the dancer has trained his/her body for the skill and is ready for it. This greatly reduces the potential for injury, creates more technically correct work, and helps dancers to progress more quickly (in the long run).​
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Kinder Intro to Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop (90 minutes): This combo class introduces young dancers to the exciting worlds of tap, jazz, & hip hop through age-appropriate movement, music, & creative exploration. Students develop coordination, rhythm, musicality, strength, & confidence while stomping, jumping, grooving, and expressing themselves in a fun and supportive environment.
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Fall 2026 Session (10 weeks)
September 12 - November 21
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Winter Show December 4-5
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Winter 2026-27 Session (10 weeks)
November 30 - February 20
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Spring 2027 Session (10 weeks)
February 22 - May 8
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Spring Recital May 14-16
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Summer 2027 Session Info to be Released February 2027
Which Class is the Best Fit for My Child?
If this is your child's first time in a classroom environment, you may be worried about whether or not they are ready.
Are they ready to be away from mom or dad?
Are they ready to be around other children?
Are they ready to take turns and share?
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The truth is, these skills take time and practice and they will be 100% ready if they are in a class where the curriculum is designed to meet them where they are, at their particular stage of development, and help them grow from there.
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READY SET MOVE WITH ME VS READY SET DANCE & TUMBLE?
Our Preschool curriculum is specifically designed for each stage of development from 1 year through Kindergarten, however you'll notice that there is an overlap when they are age 3 where they can take our Ready Set Move with Me Class or our Ready Set Dance & Tumble Class. This is the age where children are typically learning to participate in a classroom activity without the help of a parent or guardian. Some children will benefit from being in a class with a caregiver, while others will be ready for more independence. Our Preschool class sessions are only 10 weeks long so that as they grow and develop, you have the ability to move them into a class that fits them best.
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Here are the main differences between Ready Set Move with Me and Ready Set Dance & Tumble to help you make your decision:
ALL READY SET MOVE WITH ME CLASSES:
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Each student is required to have a parent or guardian participate in class alongside them for every class. This can help ease any anxiety a child might have around being in a classroom environment and also creates an opportunity for child/caregiver bonding.
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No dress code. They may wear regular clothes, a dance outfit of your choice, or even a fun costume, as long as it doesn't cause a distraction in class.
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No recital commitment. While we hope your child grows with us from session to session, Intellidance classes do not require a lengthy commitment.
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Singing, dancing, and creative play in an environment that allows the child to learn to self-regulate their feelings and emotions.
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ALL READY SET DANCE & TUMBLE & KINDER CLASSES:
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Students come in to class each week independent of a caregiver.
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There is a specific dress code for class. See below for more details.
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You can choose to take these classes session by session OR if you would like your child to participate in our spring recital, a slightly longer commitment would be necessary.
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Singing, dancing, and creative play in an environment that is meant to prepare the student for how a dance class will be structured once they enter grade school.
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What if your child tries a class and it's the wrong fit?
Speak with your child's teacher - they will keep an open line of communication with you and will tell you if they think a different class would be a better fit for your child. If that is the case, we can move your child into the appropriate class or we can hold your registration for a later session.
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If you have any further questions, we would be happy to talk to you more about our Preschool and Kindergarten classes. Email us at Hello@GardenStateDanceArts.com or Tel: (973) 304-4199
Preschool & Kindergarten Dance Dress Code
Ready Set Move with Me Classes have no dress code. Students and their caregiver can wear regular clothes, a special dance outfit, or even a fun costume each week (as long as it allows the student to move with minimal distractions).​
Please note that regular shoes are not permitted on our dance floor so all who enter the classroom will be asked to take off their shoes - bare feet or dance shoes only.
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All Preschool & Kinder Classes have a specific, required dress code. Please speak with our staff when you register or email us if you have a specific question or concern: Hello@GardenStateDanceArts.com
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