Berkeley Parents Network: Childcare at Local Gyms

Berkeley Parents Network

Childcare at Local Gyms

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Childcare > Childcare at Local Gyms

Questions:

Gym with Infant Care

Has anyone used childcare at local gyms?
Reviews:

Albany YMCA

Berkeley YMCA

Club One Oakland

Courthouse Gym Oakland

Yoga class with childwatch

Gym with Infant Care

Nov 2003

I've read the couple of postings dating a few years back about childcare at the Berkeley YMCA that did not sound very promising as a place I'd feel comfortable leaving my 6 month old daughter while I work out. But, I am desperate to resume an exercise program, so can anyone recommend a gym that does offer trustworthy childcare where I could exercise without worrying about the safety of my daughter? Has anyone had experience at Club One in Oakland? Or, better yet, does anyone know of classes that I could do with my daughter? Anne

Recommended:

Berkeley YMCA (4)

Club One (3)

Courthouse Gym (1)

Oakland YMCA (1)

Has anyone used childcare at local gyms?

Jan 2003

Has anyone used the child care at local gyms? The Berkeley Parents website has many postings about Berkeley Y, but little about other gyms. I'm particularly interested in Courthouse, but would love to hear about any others. schackmermin

Recommended:

Club One (3)

Courthouse Gym (2)

Albany YMCA

I've only used the Albany Y childcare twice so far, so my experience is limited. There's usually one childcare provider on hand who sits in that small room adjacent to the gym. The care is fine, but my daughter didn't enjoy it because the first time there were only two very small children in the center; the second time, she was alone. There's no kindergym available, though there is a small outside area (just cement, no grass or sand).

So, despite my concerns about how busy the Berkeley Y gets, I'm going to stick with it. We've used them three times so far and my daughter has had a great time, even though she doesn't know any of the kids. She loves the kindergym, there's lots of toys and art, and a computer she'd like to try out.

Plus, I think because of the concerns voiced by many parents, the Y is cleaning up its act a bit. Parents must leave their Y identification card with the center for security reasons. I also noticed that they use a walkie talkie to communicate with the provider in the kindergym area, letting him/her know that a child is arriving with her parent or another provider. They also seemed very attentive to me when I arrived.

I didn't use the Y when my daughter was younger because she refused and I was worried about the lack of security and what I perceived as the inattention very young children--and infants--received there, particularly in the kindergym area. Valerie

Although the childwatch room is small, my 2 girls (5&1/2 & 3&1/2 yrs) consistently enjoy going there - they call it "kid play". It can get crowded during morning aerobic class times, can be a bit hard on not accomplished walkers (linoleum floors) but the different ages of kids seem to sequester themselves well. One problem, they arn't licensed to change diapers, so they'll come get you from your workout as needed, and once you're in there, your workout is probably done. The staff is very caring - mostly experienced moms, and there are many times when it is not crowded. Smstutz

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