Tots or Pre-Alpha? How to Choose a Learn to Skate Class

Many families come to the rink first for a public skate, watch their child fall down and get back up with a grin, and then ask the next question: should we sign up for lessons? At Ontario Ice Skating Center the first step is picking between two beginner classes, Tots and Pre-Alpha. The choice is simpler than it sounds, and this article covers what is known about each, what a month costs and how the schedule works.

What is the difference between Tots and Pre-Alpha?

The line is age. Tots is for children ages 3 to 5. Pre-Alpha is for ages 6 to 16. Both are Learn to Skate classes, both last 30 minutes, and both meet once a week. A child who is 5 goes in Tots, and a child who turns 6 moves over to Pre-Alpha.

If your child sits right on the line, or you wonder whether a confident 5-year-old would be happier with older kids, call 909-986-0793 and ask. The people who run the classes see every age group on the ice and can tell you which room a child belongs in better than any article can.

Classes are 30 minutes once a week. Skate rental is included on the day of your class, so there is nothing extra to buy before the first lesson and no need to hunt for a pair of skates in your child's size. Thirty minutes may sound short, but it matches how young children actually learn. A small child on ice works hard, and half an hour of focused practice tends to land better than an hour of tired wobbling.

What does a month of lessons cost?

New students pay $70.00 for the first month. Continuing students pay $60.00. Those are the current figures on the rink's Learn to Skate page. Some older printed material and sidebar listings show lower numbers, so use $70.00 and $60.00 when you plan, and confirm when you call.

One more detail makes this easy to start. Skating classes start at the beginning of each month, and students may sign up at any time. You do not have to wait for a season or a registration window. If your child has a great first public skate on a Saturday, you can call on Monday.

Which days and times are there?

The class schedule currently lists these beginner slots. Class days and times can change, so call 909-986-0793 or text 909-935-9023 to confirm the current schedule before you plan your week.

• Monday at 5:30 pm: Tots and Pre-Alpha
• Tuesday at 6:30 pm: Pre-Alpha (shared with Hockey 1)
• Thursday at 6:00 pm: Tots (shared with Hockey Tots)
• Thursday at 6:30 pm: Pre-Alpha (shared with Adult and Hockey 1)
• Saturday at 12:45 pm: Tots and Pre-Alpha

Pick the slot you can keep. Learning to skate rewards the same time every week, because a child who knows when skating day is shows up ready for it. A school-night class at 5:30 or 6:00 pm suits some families, and the Saturday afternoon slot suits others. Notice that Thursday also offers an adult class at 6:30 pm, so a parent who has been eyeing the ice can start in the same building on the same evening.

Where do hockey classes fit in?

The schedule also lists Hockey Tots and Hockey 1 alongside the skating classes. The rink's ice hockey scrimmage, an open in-house league, asks participants to have completed Hockey One. If your child is hockey-minded from day one, ask about the hockey classes when you call. Many young hockey players still start with plain skating skills, which is what Tots and Pre-Alpha are built around.

What should you bring to the first class?

Rental skates come with the class, so you only need to bring your child. Dress them in snug, stretchy clothes with warm socks that are thin enough to fit inside a skate, plus gloves. A hat helps in a cold building. Arrive a few minutes early so your child can get skates on without a rush, and bring a little patience for the lacing. A first-time skater often needs a grown-up to do the knots.

Expect falling, because falling is part of every first month. A good attitude from you matters more than any piece of gear. Cheer for the getting up, not only the standing. Children read your face the second they land.

What do parents say about the classes?

One parent wrote in a Google review that her daughter had been going to the rink for 2 years and that the family loved the coaches and the environment. She recommended it both for a fun day and for anyone interested in lessons. A single review is not a guarantee, but it matches what a long-running rink with a skating school is meant to offer: a place where a child can keep coming back and keep improving.

If you are still deciding, the easiest next step is a call to 909-986-0793 or a text to 909-935-9023. Ask which class fits your child's age, which day has room and when the next month begins. Then choose a day, show up with a warm jacket and let the coach take it from there.