Gymboree and sick kids

We signed up for Gymboree the beginning of October. Since then my kids been sick twice. First with Coxsackie and now a cold. I feel so bad for them, because they hardly ever get sick and I feel helpless when they are sick. I feel like we should quit Gymboree, because it seems like people don't know how to keep their kids home when they are sick. The other day this kid had such a bad runny nose and coughing. I just don't understand why people would want to infect other people's kids. Ugh!!!

What would you do? Is there any suggestion on how to prevent them from getting sick or should I quit?

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

Speak to the teacher. Ours always says something when a kid so much as coughs once. Everyone keeps their kids home when sick and my DS never got a cold from there.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

Honestly there is no way you can completely shield your kids from germs and they will get sick. My DS is in daycare and I send him if it is just a cold. I would be missing work constantly if I kept him in for a run of the mill cold. If he has a fever he stays home. Something like coxsackie obviously stay home.

Gymboree is a little different because my guess is the parents are SAH and can miss a pay time. I am not sure I would quit Gymboree if your kids like it and def not if it is one of the only activites they do with other kids. I would leave though if I saw a kid obvously ill.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

I don't know if it's becuase DD started when she was older (she was around 1 when we started Gymboree) but I haven't noticed her getting sick there at all. I also haven't noticed any sick kids either really. We always purell our hands before we leave the class and wash with soap and water as soon as we get home. I also take off the socks DD wears in there as soon as we get in the car. I try not to give her a chance to stick anything in her mouth. She is 18 months and has only been sick a handful of times, none of which I have attributed to Gymboree.

I don't know what location you use but maybe they need to clean more there? I'm not sure how to tactfully mention it to them, I'd maybe ask them about their policy for sick kids and ask what they do to keep germs at bay. There really isn't any excuse to bring an obviously sick kid, you can always make up your day if you miss.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

By ANY chance do you go the Gymboree in Bayside? I have on my "to do" this morning to send an email asking that they clean more often and suggest to sick children that they stay home.

I'm not about putting my DS in a bubble but there have been kids outright HACKING phlegm and that's disgusting. Take your kid home where they belong so they can get well. It's infuriating. DS has been sick twice since joining last month.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

My kids go out everywhere so I can never pinpoint where they get sick. They get sick all the time though.

I would not quit Gymboree in fear of getting sick.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

we go to MyGym and its the same issue- he's gotten sick so much more than when he was just home- very frustrating

Gymboree and sick kids

We go to classes at the Y and for the first three months, DD got sick every week she went. We started only going every other week for awhile to give her poor immune system a chance to recover. It seems to be better now, but lie you, I almost pulled her out.

Gymboree and sick kids

Theyre going to get sick wherever they go. We've been going to gymboree for 1 1/2 and never had issues. I find the one in the source to be extremely clean. I take DS to the bathroom after and wash his hands well and try to stop him from putting things in his mouth.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

This is a tough one. While I do feel that you can't keep your kids in a bubble and shield them from all germs I do think that a little caution and cleanliness goes a long way. While my kids go everywhere - classes, school, etc. I have noticed at points in our life there are certain places - a certain class, school etc. where the way the place is "run" makes it a germ breading ground. I think that these places and schools that are cleaning at least once a day EVERYTHING, emphasize handwashing and encourage sick children to stay home - there si ALOT less sickness to go around. My guess is that this place probably isn't that clean - they are probably not sanitizing the way they should, making sure the kids wash and purrell their hands before entering the gym equipment etc. I would maybe try another location especially since this isn't school - you are choosing and paying to go there and get your kids sick! There are plenty of places and classes you can go to where they will get sick once and a while instead of all the time. HTH!

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

What is their make up policy? I found that when DS went to Little Gym, they were so liberal with letting people make up classes so the parents did keep their kids out sick. They knew they were not losing a class that they paid for. Hoenstly, if your child had both coxsackie and a cold since early October I would think that it happened mainly because the immunity never really had time to recover. Kids will get sick and they will have phases where they get hit hard. I do tend to hold back from some activities if I think DS is in a bad phase or not fully recovered but I would not quit unless I see something that is unsanitary that the place will not fix.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids

I've been taking DS since he was 6 months old (he's 2.5 now) and have never really had an issue. He's caught a cold once or twice but that's bound to happen regardless of how well they clean.
I make it a point to Purell DS's hands as soon as we leave and stay on top of him making sure he doesn't put any of the toys in his mouth.
I wouldn't necessarily quit, especially if DC enjoys it. You could always send an email like the PP mentioned or speak to the employees there. I have been going to both the Oceanside and Westbury locations and find them all to be extremely nice and helpful.

Re: Gymboree and sick kids