My daughter started cheer when she was 5 and has loved every second! Granted, she's only 8, but...
Cheer can be a great thing as long as you do your homework. First, I suggest figuring out what you want out of a cheer gym. Are you looking for fun and low key? Are you looking for someone to push your daughter to progress? Are you looking for a highly competitive atmosphere? There is a gym for each of these desires. One isn't better than another, but might be better for you. I'd recommend going to the gym during a time that your CP would be practicing and just hang out. Watch the practice. Talk to the parents. Talk to the owner. Ask about fees (they can be pricy!), practice times, competition dates and expectations, coaches' qualifications, safety precautions, and time commitments.
I have seen girls in my daughter's gym grow in confidence, poise, health, and strength over the last 3 years. It's really amazing to watch. I will give just one word of warning. If, after a season, your daughter doesn't seem to enjoy it, I'd consider pulling her from the sport. I can tell which girls want to be at the gym, which girls wish they lived at the gym, those who are fine with it, and those who would rather be at the dentist than the gym :p. This really isn't something that you can make a child do. S/he really wants to do it, especially as they get older.
If you don't want to jump head on into all star (and I hear that there are people who don't :confused:) try a tumbling class. It's a good way to get her feet wet, so to speak.
