Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome any questions you may have about Graphic Babbling and our classes. However, you may also find the answer to your question by simply checking these questions that we are often asked.

1. Why is there a gap between 12 and 18 months? My baby is 13 months old and I’m keen to get him/her started.

A: From previous experience, we’ve discovered that after around 12 months most babies become increasingly mobile and find the new skills of walking and running very exciting. At this stage, sitting down to play with paints and colours is less interesting to them, and the workshop may turn out to be a disappointing experience to adult and child alike. Another consideration is that a very mobile 1-year-old may intimidate the youngest babies in the workshops, while being too young to handle the media of the Toddler group. This is why there is a ‘maturation gap’ between the two groups. We therefore recommend that you either wait until your baby is 18 months old and then join the Toddler class, or contact us to discuss the situation. We always try to accommodate everyone and will consider every case individually.

2. Are the paints genuinely safe for babies?

A: With the Baby group, most of our paints are based on weaning-appropriate foodstuffs without any artificial ingredients. These paints will be safe for the vast majority of babies, but allergies need consideration. You will be asked to fill in an allergies disclaimer before your baby can join the class; if you have any worries, you should contact your GP or health visitor for further information. As a rule of thumb, if you hadn’t expected your baby to have any allergies before starting weaning, our paints should also be safe. We also use non-toxic, commercial fingerpaints in one or two sessions just for greater variety in colour. These paints come with manufacturer’s guarantee for being safe for under-3s as long as their use is supervised. Such fingerpaints are also the primary paint used in the Toddler workshops. You will be given a course programme at the start of your first workshop which details the themes covered and materials used in every session.

3. Why do I need to sign a disclaimer?

A: Both the Baby and the Toddler groups have disclaimers (view Baby disclaimer or view Toddler disclaimer) for the parent or guardian to sign. Their purpose is to promote safe practice and make participating families aware of their responsibilities within the workshop. Despite the excellent safety record of these workshops in both Aberdeen and in Finland where the method originates, it would be unprofessional of us to operate without such disclaimers.

4. Can I bring older/younger siblings with us to the workshop?

A: Yes, with advance notice and on the understanding that our insurance only covers children who are enrolled on the course. The art materials available are also primarily for the enrolled children’s use, but we do try to accommodate for occasional visitors! To minimise disruption, however, we kindly request that you consider other options before bringing siblings under-3 to the Baby class.

5. Can I bring my spouse/grandparents/aunts/uncles etc with me?

A: Yes.

6. Can I take photos of my child during the workshop?

A: Yes, but please be sensitive to other people’s views on this and don’t include their children in the photos without permission.

7. When do I need to pay for the course? What payment methods do you accept?

A: Your booking is only secured when we receive your payment. Your fee must be paid within 10 days of the date on your booking form, or before the course start date (whichever is earlier) or your place will be given to the next person on our waiting list. However, there’s a high demand for places and we really appreciate a timely notice in case you don’t wish to take up your child’s place. You can book and pay online using PayPal, or request a booking pack in the post, in which case payment is by cheque. We regret that any course fees are non-refundable unless your place can be given to another family, or in case there are exceptional circumstances that need taking into account.

8. Why can’t I pay on a weekly basis?

A: A sense of continuity is important for children and adults alike. Signing up to attend the same group over a number of weeks will encourage that continuity, and help build a supportive, relaxed atmosphere. We will also need to acquire and prepare materials in advance, so to keep our costs reasonable we need to have a clear idea of attendance numbers for each week.

9. Can I put a friend’s name down for the course?

A: Yes, but you must be able to provide an address for us to post the booking materials to, or pay for the course on their behalf in case of a gift. Unfortunately, due to loss of custom in the past, we can’t take bookings on behalf of other families unless we have their contact details to confirm their interest, or a payment for their place.

10. Does my child automatically have a place in the next block of classes once s/he’s completed one course?

A: Unfortunately, due to high demand on course places, bookings are taken on first come first served basis. So we can’t guarantee a follow-up place for your child unless you give us early indication of your interest. The earlier classes in particular fill up very fast. We welcome bookings for several courses in a row at the beginning of the autumn or spring term, and will discuss flexible payment options so that you don’t have to pay a number of fees at once. Please contact us for more information on this.

11. Class cancellations - the procedure

We know that our sessions are much looked forward to and therefore only resort to cancellations if there is no workable alternative. Up until now, all cancellations have been reimbursed either by a cash refund or the option of a free extra class. However, in the current economic climate we are having to withdraw the option of cash refund with immediate effect (from July 2009). We will still offer the option to come along to another class free of charge, or to have a discount to the value of the missed class in your next booking.

Please note that with the current swine flu (S1N1) pandemic, classes may have to be cancelled out of safety concerns for the babies and toddlers in our sessions. If this happens, you will be offered a maximum of 2 free sessions per course, regardless of the actual number cancelled. You can also help us prevent cancellations, and of course infection, by choosing not to attend if you or your baby have flu-like symptoms.