Tivoli Village to feature learning center for young children

By Aida Ahmed

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 | 2 a.m.

A children’s facility that combines the serious learning of preschool and the fun and games of birthday venues such as My Gym and Chuck E. Cheese’s is opening in Tivoli Village.

Kidville, a preschool alternative devoted to early childhood development, will offer 16 classes ranging from the most popular music sessions in Little Maestros to exercise-oriented Big Muscle Builders. Classes are designed for newborns to children 6 years old, and parties cater to children up to 9 years.

CEO Andy Stenzler created the first Kidville in New York in 2005 after his wife had trouble finding an accessible place that offered a variety of classes to take their two children. He said he created classes to teach “movement education.”

“You want (children) to have opportunities and it’s really hard to find great stuff,” Stenzler said. The curriculum “allows children to interact with each other and the teachers.”

So with early investors Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf wanting a Kidville in their hometown, Stenzler said the company decided to open a Kidville at the recently opened Tivoli Village.

Kidville “Mayor” Amanda Waldron heads the Las Vegas location, where children can get haircuts at the baby barber shop, attend birthday parties and take a class of their choice.

“Our classes are what we base everything around. Our lesson plans have been worked on for six years now. Like Little Maestros, you can’t find a music class like it,” Waldron said. “Music is the first thing people think their children should learn.”

Cost of attending a 16-week class once a week is $325 to $375.

Enrollment for Kidville classes is always open. An open house will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Tivoli Village.

Kidville has more than 20 facilities worldwide, most in the United States but also in Dubai and Cairo.

CORRECTION: This story has been amended to correct a misstatement about benefits that come with enrollment in a single class. | (August 3, 2011)