What can you tell me about the YMCA for toddlers? They're building one closer to us so it would actually be convenient for us to join, but I don't know about how much it will offer for our boys. I think if nothing else it would be nice for swimming lessons in a few years, since they have a nice indoor pool. But other than that, is it worth a family membership? Do they have good childcare while adults are using the gym? Are there good kids activities other than swimming lessons?
We are members of our Y but they don't offer much in the way prior to preschool. By three they have a tiny tumblers course, swim lessons and art classes. Our Y even has a preschool program and I love it. They do offer babysitting so that you can take classes or go to the gym while you are there,
I love our YMCA. They have a babysitting room (actually 2 for peak times) that the girls love to play in. My oldest is in swim lessons. At age 2, they can start taking swimming, and tumbling/gymnastics. They also have a free basketball play time where kids and parents of all ages take over one of the gyms. They have a movie night about once a month - last month was in the pool! When they get to about 4 they start to have crafts classes, too. They also have some Mommy and Me classes, but the whole Mommy and We aspect of it is something I am not going to attempt, and not allowed to I think.
Hannah took dance at the Y for about 5 years, and it was great! She took ballet, tap, jazz, and Irish Step, and had 2 recitals a year. She also took gymnastics. Justin, Hannah, and Josh all started out in t-ball and soccer at the Y. They did a great job with those as well. I never used the babysitting, but they offered it twice a day like Emily said.
I LOVE THE Y here!!!! I drop the kids off in their daycare so I can swim (2-3 days a week) and they LOVe it. The Y rotates toys every day, cleans them all the time, and they get tons of attention from the adults who work there. It is a terrific break for me, and I personally think it;s good for them to be away from me too. The adults read books to them if the kids want, they play with them, hold them, or just let them play on their own. We love it!
both Y's that I've been a part of in different parts of the nation have excellent child care and pool facilities. we live in a "snow zone" so we joined w/ the family membership to take advantage of the pool . dh and i go to work out and I put the twinks in the child care facility. what you could do is wait to join till the kids are older and then in the meantime take advantage of the Friday Night Family night, which is usually free and open to the public.
We don't belong to the Y here, but we do go for swim lessons and the swim lessons are great. They also have basketball, tennis, soccer and dance for toddlers. We may sign them up for some more programs but probably won't join since we belong to a CC with tennis, gym, outdoor pool, etc. Lessons are cheaper for members. $25 per session vs. $50 for non-members. In January our Y had a free membership drive (no sign up fee). We just don't want to pay the monthly fee since we won't use it all the time. So I just pay the extra fee for lessons.
I Love our Y!! Our Y has tons for toddlers. As toddlers, my kids did swim lessons and a class called Totally Toddlers (almost like an intro to preschool...reading, crafts, etc, geared to 2 & 3 yr olds). For 3 & up they offer such a variety....gymnastics, yoga, soccer, moonbounce/obstacle course, etc. Also, they have "Preschool Gym" times during the week when they set up all the fun mats in the gym & we can just let them rage without actually being in a structured class. Our Y has great childcare, I work out 3 times a week & it's wonderful. Our facility is clean, teachers are great, and my kids have made a nice group of "Y friends. It's a great opportunity for social interaction. It's great for all ages. My 10 yr. old is on the swim team, DH goes to spinning class frequently & I'm in the womens' soccer league....ok, I sound like a commercial for the Y!?
