Gymboree Play and Music

Updating my previous 5-​star review.
We absolutely loved Gymboree at the beginning — they have *wonderful* teachers and great equipment. HOWEVER, their customer service is VERY frustrating.
I’ve sent 3 emails to Gymboree in the past 11 days asking to cancel or put my membership on hold since we’ll be out of town for several weeks. NO RESPONSE. I’ve gone to Gymboree several times in person asking about the situation. I thought perhaps they didn’t get the email, but the woman there pulled it up right away on the computer (I saw my exact email I had sent a week earlier). She said she’d have a manager contact me. No response. I went again, asking the same thing (no manager was on duty). No response still. No voicemail (I just checked again), no email, nothing.
We were excited about continuing our membership after vacation but their disorganization and lack of communication has changed my opinion. I spent a month telling my friends how awesome Gymboree is and how they should get their toddlers enrolled, but I now tell them to stay away.

Would not recommend this if your looking to expand your child’s learning because of their lack of professionalism. To start off, when I called to schedule a preview class I was directed to the website. I scheduled my preview class and got various confirmation and reminder e-​mails. The day off the class, the place was closed. We waited for about 30 minutes with another parent and their child outside who had even spoken to someone to schedule the class. We decided to leave and call back later. 2 days later someone finally picked up the phone and told me that they had closed for a 3 day weekend yet they had no sign or e-​mail letting everyone know. I decided to give them a second chance despite the confusion. When we arrived on the morning of our class, it was once again closed. There were a group of parents waiting with their kids. 15 minutes later the instructor comes up the stairs with her Panera breakfast apologizing that she had forgotten her keys so we needed to wait for her manager. Her manager arrived, but did not have the correct keys. We left and have no interest in going back to such lack of consideration for the parents and kids who’s minds they are supposed to shape. My son is better off not going to these classes.

We were at this location for about 5 months. We think the staff are not really committed to the children. The classes vary a lot, they can be a hit or miss. They tend to play the music really loud and classes can be monotonous. We have been part of Gymboree since our daughter was 2 months, at a different location in the West. The place is not the cleanest, and it really needs a make over. They never answer the phone. Some of the instructors use their phones during class time, which to me is very disrespectful. Some of the instructor can be very repetitive. Parking is also very limited. Needless to say we ended up switching to the Bethesda location.

Horrible customer service!!!
The first day of our free class we were not greeted by staff but mainly left just standing in the back of the room. Our son enjoyed the class so we took a chance and signed up. However we were charged effective that day so there really wasn’t a free class as they advertise. During the 2 months of classes we never had the same instructor. It was always bouncing back and forth between these 2 woman who have drastically different styles of teaching and interaction. A big turnoff needless to say.
We then asked to have our account on hold due to summer schedule. We were told that was fine and to notify them when ready to return. Well we never notified them yet after a month on hold they debited money without our consent. Then it took 3 days for the site manager to respond to my many calls and emails to simply state that the allegedly have a 1 month hold policy. Um that’s not the same information we were told when we initiated the hold.
Needless to say that while our son seems to enjoy the class and music the management and customer service has us running for the door.

Went to this establishment for a birthday party. It’s located on the 2^nd floor, over by the fountain where the kids are allowed to play in during the summer in downtown Silver Spring. Trying to lug 2 toddlers and a 18 month old up those stairs by myself was a bit scary, so the elevator was my preferred choice leaving.
Upon entering, you are asked to take off everyone’s shoes, including parents. I forgot my socks, so they actually have me socks! And good socks! Impressed by that. We walk in and it’s a small padded playground with equipment to walk up, climb, throw bean bags into the basket, padded tire swings, slides and tunnels. My kids were able to roam pretty freely without me feeling nervous; however, they do ask the parents to be at arms length of their children, and obviously I won’t be able to accomplish that with 3 children, so I really didn’t obey.
When it was time for the organized play with the instructor, she was wonderful. I was always concerned if my daughters can listen to others besides me and my husband because they weren’t in school yet nor in daycare and the dance classes I just pulled them out of worried me because they weren’t listening to their teacher. Then I found out, it was just the teacher because they listened and followed everything this instructor said! She was warm, inviting, and very supportive as she assured all the kids they were doing a good job! Marvelous!!!
Food/​cake time is in a room next to the play room. Small table that sits approximately 15 kids. This was set up nicely and intimate. The host provides the food, not sure if she decorated, but her desserts matched the décor, so it’s possible.
Overall, great time. I enjoyed it with a clean establishment and wonderful staff. Kids enjoyed and are looking to go back.
I took off one star because unfortunately, they had a leak in their bathroom so their toilet wasn’t working. It just happened that day of the party, which is unfortunate because with little kids, you always have to have a bathroom. Though it was not intentional, I have to deduct a star as people had to ask the salon next door to use their facilities.

Really wonderful Gymboree Play & Music center! Bright, sunny, clean and a beautiful open space with a ton of the «big» climbing and developmentally appropriate equipment. Excellent staff — warm, engaging, and always remember every child’s name. Went above and beyond on many occasions– let our nanny bring our son (Keaton) and daughter (McKenna) for free play, even though we had only signed up our son. Strongly recommend this location! We only did 2 months, because our son started school, but would have stayed much longer if we could have found the space in our budget! This staff takes great pride in their place of work and it shows.

This is an INFANT/​TODDLER gym of sorts.
We went to a preview class last week that was FREE which I highly suggest anyone who is considering do.
We decided not to join, but mainly because of the distance it is from our house and there really aren’t any closer.
My 14.5 month old really enjoyed some of the toys, but some looked old and if possible gymboree should really invest in some better ones. (Like the parachute)
The woman running the class was very nice and called all the kids by name throughout the class.