Frequently Asked Questions

What does my membership include?

The value of our CMAC Family Membership keeps growing all the time! Upon enrollment, families receive a membership card and session calendar. Visit our Member Benefits page to learn about all of the great benefits you and your family will have the opportunity to experience at CMAC.

Why do we have to pay for some of the Family Membership Events?
Our annual membership benefits include many activities and events that are free such as Marshmallow Campfires, Parenting Discussion Groups, Sing-a-longs, Bubbble Storms and more. For safety reasons, our drop-in gym and art times are free and available ONLY to those families who are actively enrolled in a session.
Some of our more ambitious activities and events such as Family Music Concerts, and Village Green Fridays there is both a member price for admission and a non-member price for admission to cover the costs associated with the event. We think that the value families get from these activities is well worth the cost!

Do I need to actually enroll in a class to become a CMAC Member?
No. We also have a Limited Monthly Membership available for families that can not commit to enrolling in our weekly classes but would like to take advantage of our drop-in activities and other family events. Please call 781-449-1999 for details.

Can I enroll after the session begins?
Absolutely, we have on-going enrollment and class costs will be pro-rated accordingly.

How long are CMAC classes?
Class length varies depending on the age of your child and the program they are enrolled in. Most classes run 45 minutes or 1 hour. Our specialty classes run 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

What is your refund policy?
A full refund is issued prior to your second class. A credit for any remaining classes within the session will be applied to your account. To schedule a birthday party you must make a $100 non-refundable deposit.

How often do you clean/sanitize your equipment?
Keeping things clean and safe at a center like ours is no small task! We have a cleaning schedule that keeps our large equipment wiped down every day and the smaller pieces that children handle individually wiped down after every use. In addition, we encourage children (and grown-ups)to use our hand sanitizers located in every program area as much as they would like during class time. We also have 4 wall-mounted hand sanitizers in our reception areas.
Our bathrooms are busy places, and we check them for cleanliness and supplies 3 times a day. If you find that the bathrooms need replenishing or cleaning please come to the front desk and let us know and we will take care of things immediately. Please be considerate of others and do your part to keep our center clean by discarding trash in the proper way, not leaving toys and other items on the floor, and taking good care of the things we provide for fun and learning. After all, our place is your place!

To minimize the risks associated with food and beverage consumption we also have a designated snacking area called the "Creative Cafe" located in the Reception Area next to the Blue Gym. Food and drink (except for water) is restricted in all other areas of our center. Enjoy!

When I miss a class, how do make-ups work?
Any class missed for any reason can be made up at any time as long as you remain actively enrolled in classes.* When you miss a class, you will need to call us (or stop by our front desk) and schedule a make-up that is convenient for you. Typically, we reserve 2 spaces in all of our classes for make-ups, so look at our current schedule as a reference. Please note: You can make-up a class missed in any class that is age-appropriate-not just the program you are enrolled in. For instance, someone who misses a class in our Little Gymtastics program can make it up in our Little Ballet Partners program. To allow all our families to benefit from our make-ups, we allow a family to schedule a maximum of 2 make-ups at a time.

What should my child wear to class?
It depends on the program you are enrolled in! Your teacher will tell you what attire is best for children to wear when attending classes. in general, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to allow maximum freedom of movement and comfort. In some of our programs we encourage children to take off their shoes and socks because we think it provides for optimal safety, is conductive to sure-footing, and is a great way to build strength in the lower body. However, there are exceptions, so use your own judgement.
In our gymnastics program many children wear leotards, sweat suits, gym shorts and t-shirts, no belts or buckles to avoid injury. Children are encouraged to go barefoot.

In our sports programs many children wear sweat suits, gym shorts and t-shirts and sneakers.

In our younger Show Stoppers programs we encourage children to come in costume!

If you are attending class along with your child (Partner Classes) you will feel most comfortable in casual, loose-fitting clothing.

Please note: For safety reasons we do not allow children to wear dangling earrings, necklaces or flip flops/sandals in our physically active programs.

Please speak with your teacher if you have any questions.

How do I know what class is age-appropriate for my child?
We enroll children in classes based on their date of birth as of September of the current school year. This allows families to remain enrolled in the same class day and time throughout the school year, promoting friendships between enrolled families, and allowing our teachers to get to know our child well enough to make a difference. Another important factor in choosing the right age group has to do with typical early childhood development milestones. These milestones are based on age, not size of child or individual proclivity!

What days and times do you schedule parties?
Friday Afternoons

Saturdays at 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00pm & 4:00pm

Sundays at 11:00am, 1:00pm & 3:00pm

All parties are 1 1/2 hours.

Visit Big Bash Birthdays for more party information.

What ages do you offer birthday parties?
We offer birthday parties for children ages 1 to 7 years. Upon request, we also schedule parties to celebrate non-birthday events such as holiday parties, school-related parties, family get-togethers, neighborhood playgroup "field trips", anniversaries, etc.
Please speak with our Party Coordinator to see if our place is right for your needs (781-371-2650).

How far in advance should I book a Birthday Party?
It is recommended to book your party 3 months in advance.

Where do you get your music that you use in classes for instruction and for background?
We have been building our music library for 30 years and now have over 10,000 songs from which to choose-not many places can say that! Music is one of the most important part of our programs. It is used for a variety of purposes including instruction, socialization, background, motivation, and energy-just to name a few!

Without the kind of music we use here at the center, we wouldn't be the same place! We think the music you hear when you come to the Creative Movement & Arts Center should, without exception, be child-friendly, appropriate and high-quality. Also, we want as much as possible to provide you with music that you and/or your child have not heard before but know as soon as you hear it that it that it "fits' the spirit of the CMAC! We know that families don't have the time or resources to build their own music libraries like ours, but would benefit from our recommendations. Please stop by our front desk or ask your teacher for a list of our favorite music for children of all ages.

Where do I park for classes?

We have more than 30 spaces designated as "Creative Movement" and they are located in close proximity to our front entrance. On occasion, when all our designated spaces are taken you'll find over 50 unmarked spaces around the building. Please be considerate of our neighbors and do not park in spaces that are reserved!

What happens during inclement weather?
On occasion, we are forced to cancel classes due to inclement weather. However, we do not always close when the public schools do, so please call us for a prerecorded message on class cancellations. If your class is canceled due to inclement weather, you can schedule a make-up class at your convenience. There are no credits or refunds for cancelled classes.

Can I feed my children lunch at CMAC?
Yes! We have a "Creative Cafe" area for use by all members. Please respect our nut-free policy.

Are there any snacks for sale at CMAC?
Yes, we have Teddy Grahams, Animal Crackers, Juice, and Water available for 50 cents each at the front desk.

Does my playgroup tuition include membership?
Yes, the membership fee is built into the playgroup cost.

Can I bring a non-member to open gym?
Yes, guests are invited to open gym for a $10 guest fee. Please pay at the front desk.

Serving: Brookline • Dover • Framingham • Natick • Needham • Newton • Sudbury • Wayland • Wellesley • Weston • Westwood