What would you do? About This Page:

[akleos]

I got a membership to my local YWCA three years ago, and have pretty much gone three days a week since then. It was a reasonable yearly rate with free childcare, and certain classes available for free. Last year they did a big renovation of the place and since then it seems like the CEO has lost her mind. First she cut free back on the free childcare hours from 9 - 12 (supposedly to save money, but they were only open until 3 pm during the school year anyway) so I can only utilize about 10% of the free classes. Then she had us begin paying for the childcare (I pay $2 an hour for one child, and $5 an hour for the second child, 2 hours at three days a week means an extra $168 a month to my membership), the gym facility that I used to love was renovated, yes, and it is very nice but the Y can't keep employees and we've lost two directors since I've been there. The staff is over-extended and underpaid and drop like flies - I don't even know the names of the current staff. To boot, this expensive new renovation they just underwent flooded with all the rains, in the basement where, of course, the brand new childcare facilities are placed. Several of the Moms came together to write a letter to the CEO about our complaints, but nothing has been addressed or changed and several members have left. I'm getting fed up with the nonsense, and looked at the other Y that is near us and while their facility was much better, their childcare was AWFUL. They also don't offer any free classes for even the most inclusive membership. To boot, my 3-yr. old is very sensitive and doesn't adjust well to new environments easily, and he has found very good and comfortable relationships with the people who runt he daycare at my current Y.

So what would you choose: the Y that you've been going to where you have to pay more and get less but where you can trust the childcare facility, or go to the nicer facility where you pay a little less but the woman look like they are running a labor camp instead of a cheerful play place for kids??

It might seem pretty clear, but I'm in quite a pickle because I really don't know what to do.

[JaimeandChad]

Are there any other gyms, or does it have to be a Y?
If it has to be a Y I would go to where my child was comfortable. And keep complaining!

[Chrissi]

I would look for another gym with free childcare altogether. Sometimes they'll give you a discount if you're already a member of another gym, but you're shopping around.

[duck addict]

I nearest full time YMCA is 100 miles away. My health club has free child care for up to 2 hours a day(while you are working out)

[NanaTink]

My gym does the same, free childcare, as long as you are in the gym. I don't know what, if any, other limits there might be. Some of the tv monitors around the workout area are tuned into the child care area so you can "peek" without the child seeing you! I've never seen any child having a fit going in, but some are coming out because they don't want to leave!

[Caldercup]

Most YMCAs are part of a larger YMCA system. (In the Philadelphia area, there's an "umbrella" organization that all the sub-YMCAs report to.) I'd try escalating your concerns *as a group* to the organization higher up. If you still get no response, I'd suggest CCing your next complaint letter to the "consumer" reporter at your local news station or paper.

Good luck!
Eileen

[elbug10]

I would shop around your area to see what else is available (ask friends where they go, etc), and if there isn't anything else, then I would stay w/ the Y you're in but do what Eileen suggested and send your complaints to a higher authority.

[ilovedisney0_0]

I am in agreement with the other posters. If you have to choose between the 2 YMCA's, though, I would stay where my little one is the most comfortable.