A pre-pointe assessment is a physical evaluation used to determine whether a dancer has the strength, ankle range of motion, foot control, balance and core stability required to safely begin pointe work. It's typically recommended by a dance teacher before a student is permitted to start pointe classes.

Most dancers have their pre-pointe assessment between 11 and 14 years old, which is when many studios first introduce pointe work. However, readiness is based on physical development rather than age alone, so we also assess older teens and adult beginners taking up pointe for the first time.

Yes, it's very common. Most dancers have at least one or two areas — often ankle range of motion, foot intrinsic strength or lower limb strength — that need further development before reaching a safe baseline for pointe work. This isn't a failure; it's simply part of preparing the body properly.

This varies from dancer to dancer depending on their starting strength and flexibility, but as a general guide, most dancers are ready to pass a reassessment within 4 to 6 weeks of targeted exercise and follow-up sessions.

You'll be given a home exercise program and a follow-up schedule, usually one session a week (30–45 minutes), or twice a week if more work is needed. We stay in contact with your dancer's teacher throughout so everyone understands where your dancer is at in their progress.

A provisional pass is sometimes offered where all parties — parents, teacher and physiotherapist — agree it's appropriate, for example where a dancer is very hypermobile and needs a longer timeframe to build stability, where a delay would cause a dancer to be separated from their class age group, or where an ankle's range of motion is limited by anatomical structure rather than a lack of strength work. It's always a shared decision made in consultation with your dancer's teacher and family.

Please wear clothing that isn't too loose, so we can clearly assess posture and alignment through the hips, spine and legs. No shoes are needed, the assessment is done barefoot.

Yes. After the initial assessment, we prepare a written report outlining the outcome and any recommendations, which is shared with your dancer's teacher and parents.

Once your dancer starts pointe work, we schedule a check-in appointment around the one-month mark. Please bring your dancer's pointe shoes to this session. We'll check how things are going, address anything that's come up, and provide further exercises if needed. If all is well, your dancer is discharged from care.

Yes. While the majority of our pre-pointe clients are aged 11–14, we regularly assess adult beginner dancers of any age who are starting pointe work for the first time.

No referral is needed. You can book a pre-pointe assessment directly with our Chatswood team online or by phone.

Please contact our Chatswood clinic directly for current pricing, or book online where fees are listed. Follow-up sessions are charged at standard consultation rates based on session length (30 or 45 minutes).