We go to a place called Dancers' Turnout.  They don't have ballet-only classes for three year olds (that's my daughter, too), but they do have a Tap/Ballet combination class.  We are very happy with their teachers and Holly loves it there!  She just had her first recital in June.  They are on Stine, just north of District, by Sarducci's Deli.    www.dancersturnout.net

Our daughter goes to Eve-leen's Dance Studio downtown (across the street from Downtown Elementary School)... she has been dancing with Ms. Eve-lyne since she was 2 yrs. old!!! And we love it there... some parents misunderstand Ms. Eve-lyne and her rules but my husband and I don't feel the same way as other parents do.  We actually think it's fair because it's all for the good of the studio and the girls.  Anyway, she is a great teacher and her tiny tots teacher, Ms. Sakina, is AWESOME with the little girls!!! Our Marjorie has finally started classes with Ms. Eve-leen last year (from Tiny Tots for 2 years) and she was so ready for more serious dancing!!! She still loves to dance and she's done 2 recitals with Ms. Eve-leen already.  Like other studios around, the tiny tots class is a combination class of ballet and tap.  Then when they move up to LPD1 or LPD2 they do just all ballet.  Check their website: http://www.evleensdancestud...

My daughter dances at The Dance Stop at 19th and I. The owner, Shana, has taught little ones for many years and is wonderful with them! (So are the rest of her teachers)  She has a website, thedancestop.com and offers a free trial class to see it you and your little one enjoy it.

oh yeah, you can stop in and try a class for free at Dancers' Turnout also.

Linda Larma's Dance Studio on Jumanji ROCKS!

thanks for all your wonderful ideas.  i will definitely check out the websites and look into trial classes.  raising bakersfield readers are awesome!  :)