Putney Families Mark 50 years of Gymboree Play & Music

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The organisations early childhood learning lessons started in SW15

The company mascot Gymbo made an appearance at the celebrations

July 21, 2026

Families across Putney gathered this month to celebrate a landmark moment for early childhood learning, as Gymboree Play & Music marked its 50th anniversary with a joyful community event at its Putney centre — the very first Gymboree Play & Music site to open in the UK.

The celebrations brought together generations of local families who have passed through the centre’s doors since it opened, honouring five decades of music, movement, creativity and confidence-building for babies and young children. The anniversary party featured play activities, games, music and a special appearance from Gymbo, the much-loved Gymboree mascot first introduced in 1985.

Among those celebrating was Melanie Wenham, a nanny who has been bringing children to classes for more than twenty years. “I first came to Gymboree Play & Music as a nanny in Putney in 2003 and have continued to bring children to classes over the past two decades,” she said. “Across all those years, one thing has never changed — the welcoming atmosphere, the fantastic teachers and the way the classes help children learn, grow and build confidence through play.”

Melanie reflected on the lasting impact of those early experiences: “What makes me smile most is that some of the children I first brought to Gymboree Play & Music are now in their twenties and still remember their Gymbo days. That says so much about the lasting impact those early experiences can have.”

The Putney centre holds a special place in Gymboree Play & Music’s history. As the first UK location, it has introduced thousands of local children to the organisation’s “Play-osophy” — the belief that children learn, grow and thrive through play. Over the years, the centre has become a hub for friendships, support networks and family memories, with many parents returning with younger siblings or even bringing their own children to classes.

Arleta Darusalam, Franchisor of Gymboree Play & Music UK and Franchisee of the Putney centre, said the anniversary was a powerful reminder of the programme’s enduring value. “Perhaps the greatest testament to the power of play is the number of families who continue to return generation after generation,” she said. “Seeing families return with younger brothers and sisters, or parents introducing their own children to Gymboree Play & Music, is a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact those early childhood experiences can have.”

She added: “It was incredibly special to celebrate this milestone with families in Putney, where our UK journey began. Looking around the room, it was wonderful to see families who have been part of our story over many years alongside those discovering Gymboree Play & Music for the very first time.”

The anniversary also featured archive photographs from the 1970s and images of children who attended the Putney centre decades ago — a visual reminder of Gymboree Play & Music’s long legacy in the community.

Gymboree Play & Music continues to offer classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, with details available at gymbo.co.uk/locations/putney.

 

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