Creche at Southside Virgin Actrive Post Reply

[InternationalMom1]

Has anyone used the creche at the Virgin Active in Southside?

[hjm]

Yes, I have. It was three years ago so perhaps it has changed, but it was so bad that I ended up not using about half of the sessions I had paid for and losing my money. Every time I put my daughter in there I would get called half way through my workout because she was being 'whingy'. As far as I could see they stuck children in a bouncy chair and ignored them for the entire session, so no wonder she was whingy! As I say, it may have changed but my experience was so poor that I would never, ever return and I cancelled my Virgin membership on the back of it.

[coolmum]

We also didn't have a great experience but again was around 2/3 years ago. I once came in and saw a dummy in my child's mouth when he never used to have one! The staff just laughed and said that another child had put it in. As you can imagine I wasn't impressed!

[PipG]

I haven't used the creche at Southside but have used it at both Wimbledon north road and Merton abbey and they are BRILLIANT. A health/fitness/sanity saver, especially whilst on Mat leave.

Just to add to this, I put my daughter in from 8 weeks old.

[LocalPA]

I've just joined Southside VA and am also curious, am 6 months pregnant and was rather hoping to use the facilities durning maternity leave. Am nervous now...! Hope someone has a positve recent experience?

[phillyt]

Hiya, we've been using the crèche for over 5 years and I've always been really impressed with it. The nannies are very nice (though there are quite a few new ones recently who I don't know as well) and my kids are always happy in there. The old manager left (who was just brilliant with the kids) and as far as I know there's no replacement as yet.

my problem with it is that it is a nightmare trying to get into the morning slots - unless you ring at 9am 2 weeks before you are unlikely to get in. I've often had to dial numerous times as the switchboard is jammed with callers, then having got through finally at 920am, all the slots have gone! The club has had sooo many new members (especially families) over the past few months but the capacity in the crèche is still the same making demand for spaces even worse. They've been saying they are going to expand it to increase capacity for at least 2 years but nothing has happened yet and to be honest I've given up asking.

That said if you are happy to go in the afternoons (though there are less classes on) I think it's much easier to get a space.

[Danooti]

I love that crèche. The girls are all really nice and never have they had to call me during a workout. I started taking babe at 8 weeks and he is now 1. I think the key is to start them early, to get used to it. My sanity is regularly saved my an hour on my own in the gym! Good luck:-)))

[mennafii]

Hi I have been very impressed I started using it when baby was 12 weeks old & is now 14 months - I have never been called back and all the girls are very good - when I pick him they let me know how he has been whether tired / only drank little milk etc. would recommend it as its nice to have a shower in peace !

[AmeriMummy]

I really like them! I just moved over from the US & joined the club specifically for the creche. I have a 7mo & a 3yo, but the 3yo is generally at nursery when I go, so it's mainly the 7mo. I was called back to check on her once but for a valid reason. They've always been very loving towards her, I find the facilities clean, and when I have brought my older daughter they had some fun crafts to do with her.

The only "problem" for me is that it's so popular you have to book your sessions well in advance, and I like to go to the gym quite a bit.

[clubcreche]

Hi there, my name is Mel and Irun a new creche in Southfields.As well as being a mother of three I am a Chiltern trained NNEB. please feel free to ask any questions that are not addressed on our website
www.clubcreche.co.uk my aim is to provide flexible high end childcare at a reasonable price. Every body is welcome to pop in for a chat and a look around all good wishes Mel