Welcome to friends club childcare - what an exciting place to be! We look forward to spending time with your children in a place they will have fun and meet friends, while you enjoy a great cardio workout, strength training session or one of Girlfriends Fit Club’s group classes! When it’s time to come back for your child, do not expect an easy exit; chances are they will not want to leave!
This fact sheet should help to answer some of the many questions parents might have regarding the friends club area. With safety being our primary concern, you can be assured that our staff will be on their toes to keep things running smoothly. All Team Members are First Aid/CPR certified for children and infants and have gone through criminal background checks. They have been chosen for their experience, enthusiasm, patience, and creativity. Our friends club staff is well qualified and sensitive to the needs of growing children.
| Q: Who can be a part of Friends Club? |
| A: Friends club is for children from 3months – 10 years who’s family or guardian are members of Girlfriends Fit Club or guests of members. Guests are subject to normal rules, regulations and time limits. |
| Q: When is Friends Club open? |
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A: Friends Club is open: Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 8:45am-11:15am, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00-7:30pm. Friday's are currently closed. Children can be checked into friends club one time per day, for up to 2 hours per visit. Children that exceed this amount of time will have an addtional charge.
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| Q: How do I check in to Friends Club, and how secure is it? |
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A:First time visitors will be asked to fill out a Child Profile Form. On this form you will list any allergies, medical conditions, or if they are taking any medications. We also ask that you inform us about anything that could affect your child’s stay with us. Is your child shy or hesitant to try new activities?
We will ask for a recent photo of your child and a copy of your I.D. when signing your child up as a member of friends club. You will sign your child in, and show your license at the time of check in. If you do not have your child’s membership card or punch card, please go to the service desk for a temporary card. When you sign your children in, please list each child on a separate line. You may not leave Girlfriends Fit Club grounds while your child is in friends club. Due to safety and courtesy of other members children are NOT allowed at any time into Girlfriends Fit Club. You need to bring your children directly to friends club and pick them up after your workout. The person dropping off your child must be the same person to pick them up. Your driver’s license is required for pick up. Please understand that this is for the safety of all children here!
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| Q: How many Team Members work in Friends Club at one time? |
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A:This number is constantly changing. During anticipated busy times, we will have more staff “on call” and can be summoned to help out at any time.
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| Q: What should my child wear? |
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A: We prefer that all children wear athletic shoes, but our only requirement is no wet boots in the winter. Crocs are not permitted if they have jibbitz, as they are a choking hazard. Dress your child in play clothes that allow for freedom of movement…and consider too, that paint, playdough, glitter and glue are used in the art area. Please don’t send your children in brand new clothes! Any article of clothing that might be removed should be labeled. Velcro sneakers are recommended for small children that don’t yet tie. PLEASE CHECK TO SEE THAT YOUR CHILD IS WEARING THE RIGHT SHOES AT CHECK-OUT! Many shoes look alike!
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| Q: Do I need to make a reservation for my infant? |
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A: Yes, we ask that you do call ahead if you have a baby under 12 months. If you just show up with your baby, and we already have too many infants, you may be asked to wait until a baby is checked out. We will certainly do what we can to shift staff members around to accommodate your baby, but a reservation will help us prepare from our end. Please call 616-399-9086 and ask to make a reservation for friends club for your infant – even if it’s just as you are heading out of the house to come to the gym!
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| Q: Will you feed my infant? |
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A: We are not able to do feedings nor allow any food or snacks while your children are at friends club due to various allergies. Babies are coming and going from friends club at all times – and it would be impossible to provide the one-on-one attention required to give a bottle. If you are concerned about your baby being on a specific schedule, please return to friends club for the feeding, or schedule your workout at a different time. We are not able to spoon feed or give babies “snacks” while they are checked into friends club.
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| Q: Do you change diapers? |
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A: We ask that you feed and change your baby before you check them into friends club. You will be alerted if your child needs a diaper change while he or she is in friends club. We do not provide diapers, so we ask that you bring some in case of an emergency.
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| Q: If I am in a rush to get to a class can I drop my child off with lunch/dinner? |
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A: Food is not permitted in friends club. You can check your child out of friends club and take him/her to the lobby for a snack – but we do not allow food to be eaten in friends club. If you send your child with a water bottle or sippy cup, please make certain it is labeled! Unidentified drink containers/bottles that are left behind will be thrown away.
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A: Friends club will make every effort possible to protect the health and safety of the children. We will exercise the right to deny admittance to any child who appears to be in poor (contagious) health. Please do not bring your children to friends club if they have a runny nose, rash, conjunctivitis, swollen glands, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, chicken pox blisters, or have experienced fever within the last 48 hours! If you check in to friends club and your child shows signs of illness – we will contact you and ask that you check your child out.
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| Q: Do you offer anything for older kids? |
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A: We understand that ‘big kids’ sometimes aren’t thrilled about coming to childcare. We’ve set aside special privileges for children 6 years and older; they will have special art projects, games and videos they can watch.
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| Q: Can children bring toys from home? |
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A: Please discourage your child from bringing personal items from home. We cannot accept responsibilty for lost or broken toys. We prefer that children be checked into freinds club "empty handed". Toys brought in from home frequently cause friction among other children.
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