To be frustrated at Toddler clubs not wanting non walking toddler to attend.

[PegPeople]

I have a 16 month old who is not currently walking. He's getting there but so far he's not ready to take the leap and walk by himself.

I've been looking at groups to attend now things are back open and have already decided it's probably not a good plan to take him to forest groups or gymnastic type actives activities as he obviously won't be able to fully participate as he cannot walk.

However I've now emailed 2 different groups who have said they would recommend he doesn't attend because he cannot walk and it's starting to annoy me.

One was a sensory group and apparently they do some dancing to music so he wouldn't be able to join in fully and the other was an art class where they said he was too old for the baby group and not 'developmentally capable' of joining in the toddler sessions.

Am I right to be frustrated? Surely he can still get something out of the classes despite not being able to walk. All I'm looking for is somewhere to go for a change of scenery and for him to do something new. Also does anyone have any ideas of activities to look at that won't automatically judge him for his lack of toddling.

There you move up classes based on development stage rather than age so although this had meant she is placed with younger children, she isn't excluded.

That seems so much more sensible and inclusive. I'll definitely have a look to see if we have a class nearby.

Have a look to see if Hartbeeps is running in your area OP. Their classes are grouped by ability, and the middle one Baby Beeps is for "sitting to toddling"

Another fab suggestion sadly we don't seem to have a local class hete
here. Which is a shame as the group looks like it would be great fun.

Yes Def see if you can complain if it's a chain thingy, I fairly sure they shouldn't be discriminating based on disability for a baby art class!

Sadly not close by but I really hope you have a lovely time. I am definitely going to send another email today to express how disappointed I am and to reiterate that it's very exclusionary. I shall be sure to include the fab information given by PPs regarding development and ask for them to undertake retraining in this area. The group isn't a huge franchise like some of the others mentioned so hopefully there aren't parents up and down the country getting similar emails but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be held to the same standards in my opinion.

We're going with Tots Play so there's another franchise to try. It's 9-30 months so it kinda gets over that whole awkward period.

Is there anywhere you can leave a review?

Have you got a Tiny Talk or Rhythm Time near you? I think they go more by ages and haven't seen anything on their booking about walking etc

Some fab group ideas, thank you for the suggestions. Sadly no tots play nearby and both tiny talk and rhymth time are fully booked. I shall keep looking for a class, hopefully there is something out there with spaces.

I also looked but frustratingly cannot see a way to formally complain or leave a review which is most annoying.

The singing/dancing groups do not require toddlers to walk at all, they’re usually aimed at 0-5 year olds. I always took my DS to the singing and dancing groups until covid hit last year and he only learnt to walk at 16 months just as the first lockdown happened. I used to stand him up and dance with him, lots of parents did.

@PegPeople thank you! Don’t lose faith in the church type groups - of the 3 we were going to before the pandemic, one is coming back this Monday, one is indefinitely on hold and one is planning to come back as soon as they get their heads round the guidance. Church groups tend to be run by volunteers so we don’t have the financial incentive to read through all the guidance and I think they’ll see how we do it and how it all goes before cautiously proceeding. I also know a couple of newly appointed church leaders who are keen to start new baby groups at their churches, so I’m very hopeful for the future.

Hope something inclusive and lovely (re)starts up soon in your area for you. Baby groups have been a lifeline for me as a SAHP and the thing I’ve missed the most through this pandemic. Excluding little ones on the basis of not walking rings alarm bells to me and I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t want to go to those groups once your little one does start walking - they just don’t sound very welcoming, friendly or particularly knowledgeable on child development.

Get on the waiting lists for local classes that are full if possible- babies move out of groups fairly frequently and they'll probably increase class sizes as soon as restrictions allow them to! I hope you manage to find something soon, I agree with a PP, it's a bit of a lifeline as a SAHM to have something planned in the week.