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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]How old?[/quote]

4.  But has a learning disability. He’s verbal but has a hard time communicating basic information. [/quote]

That's crucial information. Some things to ask yourself and the gym management:

Have you made this disability clear to the gym childcare staff? Do they know for example that he may be unable to tell them if they ask him which person is mom or whatever? (I'm just saying--they need to know he may not be able to communicate as they anticipate a four year old would.)

Does the gym have the same consistent staff doing childcare and child classes all or most of the time, or do the faces change all the time? These jobs often are just extremely low-paid ones with zero requirements for any experience or training with kids. What kinds of staff are doing this? What backgrounds do they have? Would they get frustrated with your child if he can't articulate an answer if he's asked a question, or if he doesn't obey if told to do something?

Have you just taken him and not worked out yourself but observed his kid class to see if it's a real class or just messing around? To see if he's engaged and following along or distracted and bored so maybe he's wandering around? I'd do that at least once or twice--see if he's interested and participating or not. Watch from where he cannot see you, so your presence isn't a distraction. Is there an alternative activity offered for kids who just aren't into the class that day?

If he gets bored and wants to wander out to find you -- can he? He should not be able to. What are the arrangements to keep kids in their area?

What is their system for signing kids in and out? I figure they can only hand him over to you and not to anyone else -- right?

What is their system for taking a child to the bathroom? At four he should be going with an adult, not a child "buddy," and certainly not alone, in a large place like this. (I'd be less worried about anyone taking him than about his wandering off or getting lost after going to the bathroom.) Do the kids in care/yoga class etc. have a kid bathroom they use that's close to where they are?

I'd get these kinds of details from them especially if he's not able to tell adults basic things on his own. If you're still feeling in your gut that it's not secure enough for HIM (no matter how secure other parents feel), then go with your gut. But do ask questions and observe. Do not be hesitant to question the management about specifics--parents sometimes say "But I don't want to be seen by them as 'that' parent who doesn't trust them...." Don't let that get in your head. Ask. Information is power.

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