Small Fry Dance Club Introduce
For parents in the California region, especially those in the bustling San Francisco Bay Area, finding enriching and engaging activities for their youngest family members is often a top priority. Small Fry Dance Club, located in San Mateo, stands out as a beloved local gem, offering a vibrant and nurturing introduction to the world of dance for children aged 18 months to 5 years. This isn't just a dance studio; it's a place where tiny dancers can explore movement, build confidence, and make their very first friends in a truly supportive and joyful environment.
Founded in 2007 by Jana Chapeton, Small Fry Dance Club has grown from a beloved on-site preschool program into a renowned public studio, earning numerous awards and the adoration of countless families. What makes Small Fry Dance Club so special is its understanding of young children's developmental needs. Classes are designed to be age-appropriate, focusing on creative movement, motor skill development, and fostering a love for dance through fun and engaging activities. It's a place where the magic of dance truly begins, laying a strong foundation for future artistic endeavors.
The positive experiences shared by parents consistently highlight the incredible impact of Small Fry Dance Club. Teachers like "Teacher Jana" leave a lasting impression on their young students, fostering connections that extend beyond the dance floor. Many describe how their children, even those initially shy or hesitant, quickly blossom into confident little dancers, forming friendships and developing a genuine excitement for class. This speaks volumes about the warm, accepting, and supportive culture cultivated by the entire team, led by Jana and Carlos.
For local families seeking a high-quality, welcoming, and impactful dance program for their toddlers and preschoolers, Small Fry Dance Club is an exceptional choice. It's a place where children not only learn the basics of various dance styles but also develop crucial social skills, body awareness, and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts, all while having an incredible amount of fun.
Small Fry Dance Club is conveniently located at 1528 S El Camino Real #208, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA. This prime location places the studio in a highly accessible spot within San Mateo, making it an ideal destination for families residing throughout the Peninsula and the broader Bay Area. San Mateo is a well-connected city, known for its strategic position with easy access to major highways, which is a significant advantage for busy parents.
For those traveling by car, the studio's location is easily reachable from Highways 101, 92, and 280, just off El Camino Real. This central positioning ensures a smooth and efficient commute from various neighborhoods in San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, Burlingame, and beyond. One of the notable advantages highlighted is the availability of free parking on-site and on surrounding blocks, which is a considerable convenience for parents with young children.
The studio itself is located on the second floor of a secure building, offering a safe environment away from the direct traffic of El Camino Real. This building also houses other professional offices, indicating a well-maintained and reputable complex. While specific public transportation routes would depend on the starting point, San Mateo's public transit system typically offers bus stops along major thoroughfares like El Camino Real, potentially providing an alternative for those who use public transport. This combination of central location, excellent road access, and convenient parking makes Small Fry Dance Club remarkably accessible to the local California community.
- Music & Movement Classes (18-24 months): These classes are specifically designed for the littlest movers, focusing on creative movement and motor skill development, introducing dance basics, and exposing children to various music and props in a parent-and-me format.
- Dance & Performance Classes (2-4 years): These "survey style" classes introduce basics in a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and musical theater, while continuing to develop age-appropriate motor skills and confidence. These are parent-optional classes and the first age group eligible for bi-annual performances.
- Dance & Performance Classes (3-5 years): Similar to the 2-4 year classes in curriculum, but with added structure, these are designed for more independent dancers, with parents typically watching from the lobby. This is the last level before students transition to the school-age program, Principal Creative & Performing Arts.
- Bi-annual Performances: All enrolled dancers have the exciting opportunity to participate in two performances per year, allowing them to showcase their learned skills and build confidence on stage.
- Free Trial Classes: New dancers are offered a free trial class, providing a no-obligation opportunity to experience the fun and engaging environment before committing to enrollment.
- Birthday Parties: Small Fry Dance Club is a recommended venue for children's birthday parties, offering a fun and active celebration option.
- Age-Appropriate Curriculum: The curriculum is carefully crafted to suit the developmental stages of young children, ensuring a positive and effective learning experience.
- Award-Winning Program: Small Fry Dance Club has been recognized numerous times, including being voted "Best Dance School" by Bay Area Parent readers for multiple years, demonstrating its consistent quality and popularity.
- Highly Engaging and Positive Teachers: Instructors like "Teacher Jana" are consistently praised by parents for being encouraging, talented, and for leaving a strong positive impression on the children.
- Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond dance technique, the classes emphasize crucial motor skills (balance, skipping, jumping), spatial awareness, rhythm recognition, and confidence-building.
- Welcoming and Supportive Environment: The studio fosters a warm, accepting, and nurturing culture where children feel comfortable, happy, and eager to participate.
- Strong Community Building: The classes facilitate not only friendships among the children but also connections among parents, with some even scheduling playdates outside of class.
- Smooth Transition to Older Programs: Small Fry Dance Club serves as the foundation for Principal Creative & Performing Arts, their school-age program, ensuring a continuous dance journey for growing students.
- Convenient Location with Parking: Situated on S El Camino Real, the studio offers easy access from major highways and beneficial free on-site parking.
- Secure and Safe Environment: Located on the second floor of a secure building, away from street traffic, ensuring peace of mind for parents.
Address: 1528 S El Camino Real #208, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
Phone: (650) 393-5593
Mobile Phone: +1 650-393-5593
For families in the California region, particularly those rooted in the vibrant community of San Mateo and its surrounding areas, Small Fry Dance Club represents an ideal destination for introducing young children to the joys of dance and movement. Its convenient location at 1528 S El Camino Real #208 in San Mateo offers unparalleled accessibility for local residents. The ease of reaching the studio from major highways and the availability of free parking make it a practical and stress-free choice for busy parents, ensuring consistent attendance and engagement for their little ones.
What truly makes Small Fry Dance Club a perfect fit for locals is its specialized focus on the youngest dancers, from 18 months to 5 years of age. The carefully crafted, age-appropriate curriculum ensures that classes are not only fun but also highly beneficial for developmental milestones, encompassing motor skills, confidence, and social interaction. Parents rave about the positive and impactful experiences their children have, often forming strong bonds with the dedicated teachers and fellow classmates. This nurturing environment is precisely what many local families seek when enrolling their children in early childhood activities.
Furthermore, the studio's reputation as an award-winning program and its seamless transition pathway to Principal Creative & Performing Arts for older children provide a long-term benefit for families committed to dance education. By choosing Small Fry Dance Club, local parents are investing in a program that fosters a lifelong love for dance, builds essential life skills, and integrates their children into a supportive community right within their neighborhood. It's a place where San Mateo's "small fries" can truly flourish and shine.
Small Fry Dance Club Photos










Small Fry Dance Club Location
Small Fry Dance Club
1528 S El Camino Real #208, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
Small Fry Dance Club Reviews
My daughter had been attending a music class since she was a baby. When she started being able to walk I knew I also needed to enroll her in a dance class. I enrolled her in the 18m dance class. She loved it. Not initially because she was a pandemic baby and not used to people BUT within a couple weeks, she made friends with "Teacher Jana" and the other kids in the class. We even scheduled play dates with the other kids outside of the dance class. And Teacher Jana was one of her regular prayer requests at night. Just randomly brining her up because she left an impression on her. Love Small fry dance so much!
Jun 22, 2022 · Julianna IranJana and Carlos have been amazing to our family! My oldest danced there for almost 5 years and now my son is there. He enjoys it very much!
Aug 16, 2024 · Tess Battumur FermStay away! I agree with the other multiple reviewers, the owner Jana is rude and unprofessional. She scolded us for coming in and renewing our CC. In fact, her own staff gave us instructions to do so otherwise they will prevent my little girl to attend the class. It is quite petty to pull a little girl out of a class for $20. Jana has zero clue about customer service and treating customers right. My little girl liked the instructor and the classes but dealing with Jana made it impossible for us to continue!! I would recommend staying away!!
Jan 30, 2020 · Mur RauWe've had a wonderful experience with Small Fry. I love that they don't take it too seriously. One other dance school we tried didn't keep my child's attention. They were too repetitive and dull. At Small Fry they keep it fun and entertaining while developing skills. The teachers have wonderful energy and are fantastic with kids. A previous review mentioned not being able to watch the class. This is not accurate. You can see the whole class from the viewing area. And most school's have a 30 day cancelation policy. That's common practice.
Sep 06, 2017 · Kim Dunfey SwordsNot sure where the negative reviews are coming from. We've had zero issues with the staff. In fact, they've always been professional and responsive. My daughter has been dancing for over a year here. The instructors were able to coax her out of her shell, and now she loves dancing and performing.
Feb 23, 2019 · Dorothy H.
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