Gymboree Play & Music, Upper West Side — Local services in New York

This is a terrible place. First the gym on Riverside is pretty small but let’s say that for a one year old for a couple of sessions it is fun and the teacher is pretty ok. The main problem is the management and the cancellation/refund policy which is an absolute joke. We’ve been with them since they reopened indoor in the middle of the pandemic. At some point we had to quarantine for the safety of everyone and we missed three classes. Of course we always had the courtesy to tell them prior to classes. The only thing we were offered were make-up credits for virtual classes, for which you can barely choose the time that would fit your baby’s schedule. And with a 1 yo in general virtual classes are not really possible and this is not what we paid for. Whereas we all try to be flexible in these corona times these people don’t show any flexibility, they don’t make any exception and don’t adapt at all. They actually don’t care about you, just about the money. They were rude by email when I asked for a refund. The worst part is this : because of the snowstorm they had to cancel our class, again the only thing they offered is a make-up credit for a virtual class at a time chosen by them ( not even the regular time of the class). No refund, no offer to come in-person at another moment. This place is a joke, it’s not worth your money, there are many other places in the UWS that are bigger and where management is much nicer, more flexible and more understanding. Which we all...

My 14 months old loves this Gymboree. It's a not at all fancy, slightly beat up venue for kids classes and preschool (0-5) that somewhat pales in comparison with a nearby newer (and more expensive) NYkids club but it is perfect for newborns, crawlers, pre-walkers or shy kids - it is on a smaller scale and not as crowded.

The staff is always super friendly and personable. Miss Sofia is just amazing. You've go to try her class: she has a great voice and that special grace gifted teachers have. She is incredibly warm and patient with kids. What's more important, she has a very authentic demeanor and clearly loves teaching her cookie monsters.

My son loves the free (you have to attend classes to have this perk, but otherwise it is free) unstructured open gym playtime (30, 45, 60 or 90 minutes, depending on schedule). It's usually not as crowded, with 1-5 kids at the same time, even in inclement weather, whereas NYkids club would have up to 20 kids (and would require you to purchase a $20 pass to attend...

All teachers we met are all very friendly and passionate, however the blonde receptionist (or maybe she's the manager, we're going again tomorrow and find out her name and going to report her) is super rude and racist.

As soon as she saw us, she started telling me "oh the class is full" and then she started asking me if we're with them - of course we're a member otherwise why would we be here?! Then she started telling me "oh you guys can wait and play in the lobby and come back" I don't need you to tell me to play in the LOBBY. What a ridiculous rude horrible person can't believe someone like her work at a kids school / child care facility.

Maybe that's why she is never qualified to be a teacher and is only allowed to stand there and pick up phone calls. Gymboree should definitely find a nicer person to replace her instead of letting her continue to ruin your reputation and make this facility a racist place.

A very...