Gym creches

[lobsters]

Does anyone use the creche at their local gym? I thinking about joining my local gym, but would only ever be able to use it if I used the creche; however, I'm very worried about settling DD in there. She's 5 months, generally easy going and smiley at strangers, although she is just starting to notice and get a bit upset if I'm not around. As it's a gym creche I'm not sure if they really do settling in periods. She'll only be in it for an hour or so, anyone got any tips as to whether it works for mums and babies?

[sleepwhenidie]

works briliiantly for me, used it loads with DS until he was old enough for pre-school nursery and the exercise and time to myself kept me sane. The creche at my gym is very good though, I liked the people running it from the start and felt happy leaving baby there.

I left DS from 9m with no problems but it has taken a while for DD to settle in. I started leaving her from about 5 mths but she has only really been happy there in last 2 months (she is almost 1). I think it depends on the child rather than age though, DD has always been more of a mummy's girl than DS was.

drop in and have a chat with the staff, see how you feel about it. Trust your instincts. Most creches would expect a settling in period of some kind but not as much as a nursery as you will always be in the same building so they can come and get you if any problem.

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

Mine is great - DS started there at about 4 months and goes for between an 1-2 hours twice a week. However like sleepwenidie the people running it are fantastic and DS is always being played with or cuddled. No settling in period but as you have to stay in the leisure centre they can come and get you quickly if there are any problems.

[PlumpRumpSoggyBaps]

Mine is also great- the staff are fantastic and love ds to bits. He's been going since he was 5 months and he's now 19 months. He goes once or twice a week, for between one and two hours.

They have 2 separate areas for babies and toddlers- although only separated by a stairgate thing and they also have a little outdoor area for sunny days.

Second (or third) what others have said- drop in for a chat. No doubt they'll be happy to do a settling in session for you.

Incidentally there have been one or two occasions when ds has been a bit tearful when he's gone in- but they assured me he was absolutely fine. Now he goes running in without a backwards glance.....

[Oblomov]

Ds2 is nearly 7 months old and he has been going for the last month or so. Absolutely fabulous. For a couple of hours. Highly recommend it. I often don't even use the gym then, but home home and do 2 hrs of ironing - yes \I know - REALLY sad !!
What are your concerns? Just do it and see how you get on.

[lobsters]

My concerns are that she'll just sit there and cry for an hour or however long it is. But I must remember I'll be in the building so if she's that bad they can come and get me. I think it dawned on me when I went in there today and there was a little girl in tears looking really upset.

My other concern is that I need to book her in in advance and while we are in a bit of a routine, it's hard plan exactly when she'll want to sleep or eat etc. We do things in a similar order everyday, just for differnt lengths of time. But she seems to be better at being awake in the afternoon so I could try and plan for then. There didn't look to be anywhere really suitable for her to sleep

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

"Highly recommend it. I often don't even use the gym then, but home home and do 2 hrs of ironing - yes \I know - REALLY sad !!"

oh that's good of them we HAVE to stay in the leisure centre otherwise you will be banned from using it.

The babies at our creche can sleep in their buggies if they want to (have often dropped off a sleeping DS and gone back to find him still asleep!) Also are you sure you have to book all the time? our creche operates half booked places and half turn up and see places.

[lobsters]

I'll bare in mind about staying on site, I had been thinking about going for a run from the centre, but I can stick to watching telly on the treadmill.

Apparently you have to book as they only have spaces for 3 under 1's and it gets busy, I guess I can always ring just before I'd like to go down and see if they have spaces

[LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune]

Look at it this way having to book the creche will mean you won't make excuses not to exercise!

[sleepwhenidie]

You have to book at mine (and stay on site)which you can do up to 6 days in advance but you can cancel without charge before 8am on the day. I tend to book 6 days in advance for the slots I want (often they get fully booked if you leave it later), I then feel really bad about cancelling if there isn't a really good reason like DC ill! It is a good way of disciplining yourself in that sense and if you book regular times then you will probably find DD will get used to the change in her routine and adapt pretty quickly to it.