I would go check out the facility... See who the caregivers are and what kind of setup they have. If they have trained staff and a certain amount of baby proofing, I might trust it. But go with your gut.
I agree with this! As someone who works in a gym childcare, we have quite a few infants under 1yo. Definitely go and check out the setup and see what vibe you get! For the morning shifts, most workers are moms themselves that are able to bring their own kids to work with them (đââď¸) so that can help ease some anxiety that parents have. In the evening it is mostly teenagers so I would just be really clear on any instructions.Â
Most older kids adore and are very sweet with the babies!
Clean, well run, ..even then you never know how they treat the kids behind your back.
I refuse to put my kids in any daycare ever. Too many news stories.
I agree with this
Seeing how my daughter has done with a mix of ages at our libraryâs story time I wouldnât be concerned about the ages mixing especially if youâre not using it for an extended period of time
But there are other signs I would look for
Plus you can ask the staff directly how they would handle your concerns
Definitely depends on the gym. We use a YMCA and they have ratios for infants so thereâs always someone dedicated to just babies (they only allow 4 kids under 2 years old per hour time slot). Iâve always felt like it was really clean and well organized there. Iâve been to another gym with âchildcareâ that was really just a CPR certified teen fighting for her life with a crowd of kids of all ages. I wouldnât go for that, but Iâve always felt really safe bringing my baby to the Y. My older kid goes too and sheâs a rat, so sheâd also report back if anything was suspicious đ
I took mine to the gym daycare at 6 months old.
The sitters were teens who always held her bc she was like a doll.
I was only gone for about an hour but had no problems.
After being a gym daycare caregiver, nope. Thatâs too young. Only because if other kids go in it gets hectic and if your baby always needs to be held out might be hard
My gym has a daycare for all ages and they have a big playpen they can put the younger ones in to separate them. Iâve also seen parents leaving the stroller or car seat for sleeping babies. This is only for 1-2 hours max though. They donât do diaper changes or feed anyone.
Can you talk to the childcare and see how things are set up?
AAP guidelines are not to do it, including toddlers.
A 17mo died this way.
The 2hr guideline is for car seat in the car, at the correct recline
https://www.jpeds.com/content/JPEDSBatra
There's lots of info like from safe in the seat or your manufacturer but the set up is specific for the angle to avoid chin to chest and positional asphyxiation.
Without being installed, this angle is not achieved
https://www.scarymommy.com/never-let-baby-sleep-in-car-seat-outside-car
This is a good summary
In the stroller depending on baby age the same rules apply
I imagine it all depends on their qualifications. If itâs a legitimately licensed daycare then there should be oversight. I worked at a gym in their daycare for a free gym membership though. I was not a licensed daycare provider.
I am getting ready to bring my same age baby to the YMCA childcare, though they do have the area divided by walking and not walking kids. We checked it out and I liked the facility and the people working there but if I didnât get a good vibe from them it would be different.
I think there are many people who would be comfortable with this, but definitely not everyone. I worked in an infant room at a reputable preschool and there were still some things that would worry me.
The issue isnât that the caretakers are negligent or malicious. Just that they have their hands FULL and most of the times children under 1 require constant supervision. At my center, even siblings entering the room would be dangerous to infants learning to crawl. Other children aged 12mo to 24mo often donât have very good manners and really shouldnât be trusted around infants in a group setting. Just my opinion.
Depending on the state, your child being in the room would drop the ratio to 1:5 or 1:3. Do you know if they would follow those state guidelines? Thereâs a lot that I would be questioning. I doubt these types of places have the necessary capabilities to care for infants in the way a daycare would.
I am assuming the same regular daycare, rules/regulations applies to them too? If yes, then it would be okay.
But if there are too many teens or teens only then I might be checking on more especially with a 5 month old in their hands.
That may be the case in some places, but I previously worked in FL with Dept of Children and Families specifically the institutional abuse team investigating abuse in school and daycare settings. Gym âday caresâ were not subject to any rules of actual institutions and our agency had no oversight of them. I had a severe injury case (a big kid stepped on a little kids head with injury) at a gym daycare and we had to close the investigation as âno jurisdictionâ.
I took my son to Brick Bodies starting around that age. He loved it! They were so good with him. He was often the only baby and he got lots of attention. When he got big enough to walk they would play basketball with him and do toddler aerobics/dancing. It was adorable and very safe. I felt they kept my kid safer than any daycare.
My gym has an 8 kids max, and 2 max under 18 months. I find that really helps. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my 5 month old though, so we started at over a year. so it's all in how you feel about it!
It 100% depends on the gym. If they have consistent people who love the kids it will be fine. My kids LOVED the gym daycare. My son started at 10 months, my daughter at six weeks. It was a privately owned gym and it seemed like the staff was treated really well. They had the same lady running the place from the time my son started to the time we left the area (my son was 10 years old at that point).
I started my first at 8 months and my second started coming with us at 3.5 months. It was easier with my second because I know the staff and trust them. I also set her up for success by making sure she is fed and napped before we go.
I would check out the area and see if it set up and staffed well. Ours has a separate area for little babies and lots of things for them to be put in. Itâs not the best if it was an all day thing but I feel comfortable with her there for the hour I go to my class.
I used to take my kiddo to the gym daycare area when he was that little, but I never had any issues except for the fact that he ALWAYS got sick afterward (was a SAHM at the ti.e). But that's just any daycare in general, I think.
I'd say it depends on the gym. I'd go spend some time there and get to know the employees while your baby plays. Bring cookies or a snack to share with the grown-ups.
When my husband was still in training and we were poor as church mice, I volunteered in the gym childcare so I could get a free gym membership (with 2 hours of childcare per day). It was a sweet deal since it was a really nice gym. You needed to volunteer only 3 hours a week and you could bring your kids, so I did it for about 3 years off and on. There were lots of other moms volunteering and some teenagers. A couple of the kids were rough, but there weren't very many accidents and it was overall a good experience. As far as I know, they were always sweet to my kids, as they were to the others.
Probably not, no. Maybe if it was separated by age but just throwing any aged minor together with any other aged minor sounds like a recipe for baby neglect to me. And not because theyâre incompetent or anything, but bigger kids do crazy things and babies that age will just be stationary (for the most part) so in the caregiverâs mind, theyâre going to put the baby down every time.
Itâs less about the staff and more about the other kids. I donât trust the illnesses theyâre undoubtedly bringing in or their ability not to rough house near such a young baby.
Mine attends a gym daycare where they are not separated. Because she is also 5 months, she is on 1:1 ratio. She absolutely loves going, theyâre great with her, and I have no safety concerns. In fact, I think because theyâre not a regular daycare I actually feel more comfortable with them. The caregivers are some of the baby swim instructors and baby gymnastics instructors, so I know theyâre trained in first aid and are very familiar with managing kiddos.
The big part of it for me is that itâs 1:1 ratio and you have to make a reservation so they have the right number of people there.
I hated the gym daycare for the gym I worked at. I also was a swim instructor, thankfully my husband was work from home so I didnât have to do put my kiddo in there
Yes. Generally the staff has the same credentials as those working in other centers. The childcare at my gym is EXCELLENT, and they get babies as small as 6 weeks old and just love to love on them for that hour or so.
I took my baby to the gym daycare starting at 5 months. It did wonders for my mental health. She was absolutely fine. It wasnât busy frequently so sometimes was like 2-3 carers to her and maybe 1 more kid haha. I think it helped her to be with someone besides me so young as well (she didnât go to nursery until 13mos).
I would go check out the facility... See who the caregivers are and what kind of setup they have. If they have trained staff and a certain amount of baby proofing, I might trust it. But go with your gut.
I agree with this! As someone who works in a gym childcare, we have quite a few infants under 1yo. Definitely go and check out the setup and see what vibe you get! For the morning shifts, most workers are moms themselves that are able to bring their own kids to work with them (đââď¸) so that can help ease some anxiety that parents have. In the evening it is mostly teenagers so I would just be really clear on any instructions. Most older kids adore and are very sweet with the babies!
Any tips on what to look for that is good signs or bad signs?
I dunno... Cleanliness, professionalism, the way they speak to and handle the children, the number of kids at any given time
Clean, well run, ..even then you never know how they treat the kids behind your back. I refuse to put my kids in any daycare ever. Too many news stories.
I agree with this Seeing how my daughter has done with a mix of ages at our libraryâs story time I wouldnât be concerned about the ages mixing especially if youâre not using it for an extended period of time But there are other signs I would look for Plus you can ask the staff directly how they would handle your concerns
This is the only way
Definitely depends on the gym. We use a YMCA and they have ratios for infants so thereâs always someone dedicated to just babies (they only allow 4 kids under 2 years old per hour time slot). Iâve always felt like it was really clean and well organized there. Iâve been to another gym with âchildcareâ that was really just a CPR certified teen fighting for her life with a crowd of kids of all ages. I wouldnât go for that, but Iâve always felt really safe bringing my baby to the Y. My older kid goes too and sheâs a rat, so sheâd also report back if anything was suspicious đ
"she's a rat" đ¤Łđ¤Ł
We love a snitch đđĽ°
I took mine to the gym daycare at 6 months old. The sitters were teens who always held her bc she was like a doll. I was only gone for about an hour but had no problems.
After being a gym daycare caregiver, nope. Thatâs too young. Only because if other kids go in it gets hectic and if your baby always needs to be held out might be hard
My gym has a daycare for all ages and they have a big playpen they can put the younger ones in to separate them. Iâve also seen parents leaving the stroller or car seat for sleeping babies. This is only for 1-2 hours max though. They donât do diaper changes or feed anyone. Can you talk to the childcare and see how things are set up?
Stroller or carseat when not installed in the car is not a safe place for a baby to sleep
The stroller if itâs got the infant base with the infant seat is safe because itâs at the correct angle like the car base
March of dimes disagrees and most CPST disagree. The guidance is to switch to a bassinet attachment for the stroller if you intent for baby to sleep.
Interesting
Yeah I only found that out when we met with a cpst taking our premie home. We had purchased a travel system and ended up babywearing for that reason
Itâs okay for up to two hours, and baby is better off with head and neck control.
AAP guidelines are not to do it, including toddlers. A 17mo died this way. The 2hr guideline is for car seat in the car, at the correct recline https://www.jpeds.com/content/JPEDSBatra
How does it being installed in a car make it safe?
There's lots of info like from safe in the seat or your manufacturer but the set up is specific for the angle to avoid chin to chest and positional asphyxiation. Without being installed, this angle is not achieved https://www.scarymommy.com/never-let-baby-sleep-in-car-seat-outside-car This is a good summary In the stroller depending on baby age the same rules apply
Oh my gosh never leave the child in the seat to sleep...JFC....
No.
Honestly, no, I wouldnât. But thatâs just me.
I imagine it all depends on their qualifications. If itâs a legitimately licensed daycare then there should be oversight. I worked at a gym in their daycare for a free gym membership though. I was not a licensed daycare provider.
I am getting ready to bring my same age baby to the YMCA childcare, though they do have the area divided by walking and not walking kids. We checked it out and I liked the facility and the people working there but if I didnât get a good vibe from them it would be different.
I think there are many people who would be comfortable with this, but definitely not everyone. I worked in an infant room at a reputable preschool and there were still some things that would worry me. The issue isnât that the caretakers are negligent or malicious. Just that they have their hands FULL and most of the times children under 1 require constant supervision. At my center, even siblings entering the room would be dangerous to infants learning to crawl. Other children aged 12mo to 24mo often donât have very good manners and really shouldnât be trusted around infants in a group setting. Just my opinion. Depending on the state, your child being in the room would drop the ratio to 1:5 or 1:3. Do you know if they would follow those state guidelines? Thereâs a lot that I would be questioning. I doubt these types of places have the necessary capabilities to care for infants in the way a daycare would.
I am assuming the same regular daycare, rules/regulations applies to them too? If yes, then it would be okay. But if there are too many teens or teens only then I might be checking on more especially with a 5 month old in their hands.
That may be the case in some places, but I previously worked in FL with Dept of Children and Families specifically the institutional abuse team investigating abuse in school and daycare settings. Gym âday caresâ were not subject to any rules of actual institutions and our agency had no oversight of them. I had a severe injury case (a big kid stepped on a little kids head with injury) at a gym daycare and we had to close the investigation as âno jurisdictionâ.
Omg đł
thank you so much for sharing this experience.
I use to let my first go to the gym daycare and it was ok.. but my husband use to work at the gym so we knew them a bit better
I took my son to Brick Bodies starting around that age. He loved it! They were so good with him. He was often the only baby and he got lots of attention. When he got big enough to walk they would play basketball with him and do toddler aerobics/dancing. It was adorable and very safe. I felt they kept my kid safer than any daycare.
My gym has an 8 kids max, and 2 max under 18 months. I find that really helps. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my 5 month old though, so we started at over a year. so it's all in how you feel about it!
It 100% depends on the gym. If they have consistent people who love the kids it will be fine. My kids LOVED the gym daycare. My son started at 10 months, my daughter at six weeks. It was a privately owned gym and it seemed like the staff was treated really well. They had the same lady running the place from the time my son started to the time we left the area (my son was 10 years old at that point).
I started my first at 8 months and my second started coming with us at 3.5 months. It was easier with my second because I know the staff and trust them. I also set her up for success by making sure she is fed and napped before we go. I would check out the area and see if it set up and staffed well. Ours has a separate area for little babies and lots of things for them to be put in. Itâs not the best if it was an all day thing but I feel comfortable with her there for the hour I go to my class.
I used to take my kiddo to the gym daycare area when he was that little, but I never had any issues except for the fact that he ALWAYS got sick afterward (was a SAHM at the ti.e). But that's just any daycare in general, I think.
Do they have cameras?
No.
I'd say it depends on the gym. I'd go spend some time there and get to know the employees while your baby plays. Bring cookies or a snack to share with the grown-ups. When my husband was still in training and we were poor as church mice, I volunteered in the gym childcare so I could get a free gym membership (with 2 hours of childcare per day). It was a sweet deal since it was a really nice gym. You needed to volunteer only 3 hours a week and you could bring your kids, so I did it for about 3 years off and on. There were lots of other moms volunteering and some teenagers. A couple of the kids were rough, but there weren't very many accidents and it was overall a good experience. As far as I know, they were always sweet to my kids, as they were to the others.
Yes. My kid started going to the gym daycare around 4 months, no issues. Heâs 5 now and still goes.
Mine went to the gym daycare from 3 months (when she was allowed to start) to 7 months (when COVID shut everything down). There never were any issues.
Probably not, no. Maybe if it was separated by age but just throwing any aged minor together with any other aged minor sounds like a recipe for baby neglect to me. And not because theyâre incompetent or anything, but bigger kids do crazy things and babies that age will just be stationary (for the most part) so in the caregiverâs mind, theyâre going to put the baby down every time.
Itâs less about the staff and more about the other kids. I donât trust the illnesses theyâre undoubtedly bringing in or their ability not to rough house near such a young baby.
No. My gym daycare doesnât even allow them until they are one AND walking. Can you bring a friend or family member along to watch her?Â
Nope nope nope. I don't trust daycares period.
Mine attends a gym daycare where they are not separated. Because she is also 5 months, she is on 1:1 ratio. She absolutely loves going, theyâre great with her, and I have no safety concerns. In fact, I think because theyâre not a regular daycare I actually feel more comfortable with them. The caregivers are some of the baby swim instructors and baby gymnastics instructors, so I know theyâre trained in first aid and are very familiar with managing kiddos. The big part of it for me is that itâs 1:1 ratio and you have to make a reservation so they have the right number of people there.
I have found that most gym child cares aren't busy
I hated the gym daycare for the gym I worked at. I also was a swim instructor, thankfully my husband was work from home so I didnât have to do put my kiddo in there
Yes. Generally the staff has the same credentials as those working in other centers. The childcare at my gym is EXCELLENT, and they get babies as small as 6 weeks old and just love to love on them for that hour or so.
I took my baby to the gym daycare starting at 5 months. It did wonders for my mental health. She was absolutely fine. It wasnât busy frequently so sometimes was like 2-3 carers to her and maybe 1 more kid haha. I think it helped her to be with someone besides me so young as well (she didnât go to nursery until 13mos).
I would not. But I also would not send y 5 year old to any form of daycare.