Woodmont Center in Arlington - they let my 3 yo leave without an adult!

[Anonymous]

I had a terrible experience last night when i went to pick up my 3yo from a gymnastics class at the Arlington Y/Woodmont Center. I thought I would share it in case others have had similar experiences. I dropped my DS off for his class and because of the rain, I did not stay on the premises with my younger child - generally, we play on the playground and wait for him. It is a drop off class and parents are not permitted to stay to watch. When i arrived back to pick him up (at 5:57 for a 6pm end of class), I found him walking alone (barefoot) along the sidewalk in front of the gym.
Worse, when i confronted the gentlemen who seemed to be in charge, i was told that he was standing there and was watching and something about how he misinterpreted the situation and then he turned to my son and started to tell him he should never leave without a parent. Really? he's THREE. that is YOUR job.

Going forward (class wraps up later this month), i will obviously stay on the grounds and wait for him. Is this a common issue? How do your drop-off classes handle pickups? These instructors don't know these kids well or which kid belongs to which adult, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would have freaked. If it is a drop-off and they do not want you to hang around, that means they are taking responsibility for your child while you are not there.

Frankly, I would never take my kid back there again. AND I would ask for my money back, prorated from this point on. But that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Wow. That's horrible! Who runs the gymnastics program? I would make a formal complaint in the hope that it helps them to be more careful in the future.

[Anonymous]

I am with the PP who said I would not take my kid there every again. This is a very serious safety issue. Definitely make a formal complaint to the director in the least.

[Anonymous]

that is lousy accountability. If I were you I would follow the advice everyone else has given. I question the competence of the program and the individuals hired to run it.

I'm sorry to hear this happened. I know of a good friend who loves the gymnastics there.

[Anonymous]

I would call the Director. He/She needs to know about this situation.

[Anonymous]

Definitely escalate to the director. Even better if you know the name of the guy you talked to when you went to pick your child up. Who thinks it's normal to let any child out of the building without shoes whether or not he's "watching?"

[Anonymous]

That is a nightmare. You are so fortunate that your child was unharmed and there when you arrived. I would take it a step further. I suggest you alert Arlington County. I am not sure if this is the right office, but I would start here--http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/HumanServices/services/family/HumanServicesServicesFamilyChildrenFamily.aspx. If the facility is licensed by the County, this should be brought to their attention.

What an utterly ridiculous response by that man--you are right, your kid is only 3, that is why the center is responsible.

[Anonymous]

I agree with 16:46. Take it to the top. If this happened to my son I'd be FURIOUS!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I'll get flamed for this, but I love Woodmont. The gymnastics teachers are AMAZING at what they do (teaching gymnastics).

I agree your son should not have "escaped", but you did admit that the teachers don't know every child. Knowing this, I would have gone back to pick him up much sooner (about 5:50).

So many different classes in different venues have drop off policies, and there will inevitably be a glitch. If you are that concerned, stay in the back room with your other child like so many parents do at Woodmont.

I have no interest if you stay at Woodmont, one way or the other; just playing devil's advocate.

I would have also been furious, however. Good luck in what you decide.

[Anonymous]

That is awful. As someone currently reading Protecting the Gift (thanks to the all the DCUMers who recommended it!) - that really gives me chills. I agree on calling the director and I'm not sure I'd take my child back there. I'm glad that nothing bad happened.

[Anonymous]

Done plenty of these type of classes and though you can't sit in the room by no means should you leave the facility. Your kid is 3 and they are not a daycare. You are still responsbile for your child - not them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Done plenty of these type of classes and though you can't sit in the room by no means should you leave the facility. Your kid is 3 and they are not a daycare. You are still responsbile for your child - not them.

I'm confused - she can't stay with her child but she is responsible? I completely understand if they don't want to take responsibility for a bunch of 3 yos, but if they are going to prevent parents from staying with them, then the center needs to take responsibility.

[Anonymous]

I find it odd that any activity (that is not a preschool or daycare) does not allow parents at that young age to be at the class. My son is 3 and in all of his activities the parent must be there.

I would call the head of the Local Y, the national Y and Arlington County. Your child could have been hit by a car or worse...

And don't take you child back there.

[Anonymous]

I never leave my child at a "drop off" class for exactly this reason. I always stay. They don't have the staff to truly monitor the kids once the class is over. Too easy for one to wander off.

I don't trust any class to be able to do this, I do trust my preschool......