kids club ages??

[Jsbl24]

i have a couple of questions about disney's kids clubs.
my daughter will be 4y/o 2 weeks after we return from wdw,
i realize there is a age limit due to a couple of things mainly
cm to child ratio. but my question is on "off" nights when they
don't have many children would they make an exception??
has anyone ever done this?? also if her age on the reservation
and pass is 4 would they say anything else?? i know i would
be lying but i think it's a little stupid that they don't have
something for 3y/olds. i am not comfortable at all with in room
sitting and me and my husband would really like some time
without the kids. they charge the 3 y/o like" regular" kids yet
they won't let them go to the "regular" kids clubs. i have a real
problem with that, so i don't feel bad at all telling a 2 week lie.
sorry, just kinda felt like venting.

 

[eeyore0062]

4 years old is the minimum and I have heard that they don't make exceptions, even if the child is only a couple of weeks away from his/her birthday. It has to do with insurance and liability. With daycare laws, if a child is below the age of 4, he/she requires more than 4-5/1 care.

However, if you don't mind lying, and her passes and ressie says she is 4, and you are SURE that she isn't going to start talking about turning 4 in 2 weeks, you might be OK. I know that when my child was that age, we couldn't have done it, because she would have blown it for us.

I am not saying I advocate lying, but it really is your decision if you want to try it.

 

[shelby2001]

We were in the same situation only she was 7 days from being 4 yrs old. I went down and checked out the place and questioned them on how it is run and what they do with the children, and she said to me you'd be surprised how many people leave 3 year olds here and right after they leave the child tell us they are 3 and the parents have to come and get the child as it is a one to one ratio with a three year old and then we don't have enough staff for the remaining children. So we didn't do it. She also stated it is not a Disney rule it is a Florida State rule and they are only licensed for 4 years old and up.

 

[Jsbl24]

shelby2001. it stinks doesn't it!! i was wondering if you did
in-room sitting or just gave up??if so how did it go??

anyone know how come 3's can do the tea party and cooking
class at gf but not the clubs??(could it be that it is $20/child)

i don't know if i need to post another thread or not, but,
we'll be there for 7 days and i'm desperate to get some
time without the kids with my hubby. so if anyone has any
experiences with in-room sitters i would appreciate it, my
kids are 6 and 3yrs 11 months 2 weeks. ha ha

 

[Pammy jo]

Okay, I understand the law, but gee whiz! My son would love to go with his 5 year old brother to the club in the evening. We are planning on having a babysitter one night, since we also have a baby, but I thought one night the boys would really enjoy the club. What to do, hmmm. . .

 

[LKS]

Perhaps if there was enough demand, WDW would open some centers for younger kids. I'm afraid there is probably not much demand though, and the rates would have to be higher.

When we lived in FL, the ratio for infants was 4 to one caregiver, I think, and the daycare had separate classes with separate rates and ratios for ones (6 to 1, I think), twos and threes (may have both been 10 to 1). Fours and up were all the same and probably 15 to 1. If centers get a spot check and the correct number of teachers are not in the room, they get cited. I know our center was VERY serious about that, and that's probably why Disney is too.

I know it's frustrating, but it's not really just an arbitrary thing Disney is doing - it's driven by FL childcare rules. Maybe not enough people are letting them know of the demand for 3yo childcare (including a willingness to pay more for it.)

 

[Michelemouse]

Re: the in-room sitting...

We have used Fairy Godmothers several times (when DD was old enough for the clubs but DS wasn't...so both got the FG). They are *terrific*! They have been in business nearly 30 years and all of their sitters are top-notch. In fact, they are the only sitters my kids have ever had since my parents watch them at home when we go out.

The sitters we have had have brought things with them (games, those little capsules that disolve into fun-shaped sponges, etc.) for the kids. One also brough pre-packaged Rice Krispy treats but made sure to ask us in private if it was okay for her to offer them to the kids.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Fairy Godmothers again. I have also read very good things about the Kindercare service.

As for the age-limit on the Disney Clubs it is a Florida law, not Disney policy. The clubs are considered day-care facilites. The activities (like the Tea Party, etc.) are completely different things. While Disney wants to give guests magical vacations they also need to make sure they follow the letter of the law.

 

[Jsbl24]

michelemouse still here?? i was wondering if they issued you
pagers??also, how are you assured security wise that the
sitter isn't some whacko that is going to kidnap your kids??
that really is my only fear. i afraid that my worrying will ruin
the whole parents night out.

 

[vicb]

We had this problem a few years ago when we stayed at the Poly. DD was 6 1/2 and DS 3 1/2. We were disappointed we couldn't send kids to the club and ultimately decided against in room sitters (not due to hearing anything bad, just our choice). I can see your frustration at being so close to 4 but I'm sure lots of people less close to 4 try to get them to make exceptions so they really draw the line right at 4.

 

[Michelemouse]

I'm here!

No, FG didn't issue pagers, but our Fairy Godmother planned to stay in the room with the kids and we knew we could call her there. (FGs will take the kids to the playground or food court...anywhere but the pool...but only when you request it.) We also gave her our cell phone number so she could call us in an emergency.

I really wasn't too concerned about kidnapping. I guess I'm just very trusting. I did my homework, knew that this company was extremely reputable, called them and asked about their sitters and policies and then didn't worry about it. Again, this was the first babysitter my kids ever had and they *loved* her. In fact, they asked if she could come every night!

When she arrived at the door she showed us her identification...both her FG issued ID and her state issued ID. We have had the same sitter three times and each time she has showed us both IDs even though we know her now.

If you do go with FG I highly recommend Barbara Torten. (Both she and her daughter work for FG and both are named Barbara Torten so specify the elder one.) We absolutely love her and were very disappointed on the one occasion when she wasn't available, although the FG that was sent was also great...she just wasn't Barbara.

If you're still concerned please give Fairy Godmothers a call. You can get their number from information. They are absolutely wonderful people and I highly recommend them.