Gymboree Play & Music

Worth every penny. My daughter loves her friends and Miss Lucy at Gymboree. I highly recommend this to every parent.

I love this place! My baby girl has been going there for 3 months. When we first started she was so shy and cried all the time. Since we’ve been going there she started crawling, standing up, socializing and problem solving like never before. The teachers, Lucy and Fran, are the absolute best! So sweet and always give us good advice. My favorite thing is that they remember every baby’s name and all the parents’ names, too. As a school teacher I am quick to pass judgement… but here all I can say is good things. Hands down 5 stars. I love, love, love this Gymboree and recommend it to all Staten Island mommies– worth every cent!

+2 stars: They do have a nice place and my son always had a great time learning, exploring and playing with the other kids. Everything is padded and I feel safe letting my kid run free in the play area.
–3 stars: I hope you have a better time than me trying to cancel your membership/​enrollment when you have to. My work hours changed so I am no longer able to bring my kid to Gymboree. I initially tried to call and speak to someone but could not reach a person, always got voicemail, so I left a message that I wanted to cancel my son’s enrollment understanding that changes will not take affect till the next month, I still got charged the next month. Came into the school and spoke with somebody about it, they said «oh no, you should have sent an email»
which she wrote down herself. Ok fine, no argument from nice me, being maybe that it was my mistake, and I started sending emails to the address to cancel our membership. No yelling, or arguing, I was actually being nice about it.
Now just hit the 3^rd month of trying to cancel our enrollment and initially there were no charges for the 1^st week, they usually charge us beginning of the month. I was glad thinking that they finally canceled the membership, 2^nd week comes and boom they charged us again.
Was really happy with the place, would have given them 5 stars but this extra hassle just trying to cancel our membership is not worth it. We as busy parents we have enough on our plates trying to keep track of everything and take care of our family, by sheer force of will and love trying to keep the family unit together. Having to worry if you were able to cancel that membership and then see them sneak in a charge a week later. Gymboree 3295 Amboy rd. Boooo to you.
*Also, I work in IT so I ran a track and trace of my emails to the address and all of them got through and delivered into the mailbox, yet no response back.

I love this Gymboree. Ms. Lucy is really nice and friendly. It’s a non-​pressured environment for the children and they get a nice workout climbing the stairs, going through the obstacle course and going down the slides. It’s a great place to come on really cold winter days and really hot summer ones too. My child takes a really long nap after Gymboree. Word of caution — find a parking space in the parking lot is hard because it’s a busy parking lot. On the plus side, there’s a dunkin donuts here if you need a coffee boost.

This place is not worth $ 120 per month. They lock you in to 4 months and they don’t even honor the «no registration fee» that you can print from the actual gymboree website. And to boot, they never respond to you. I’ve called numorous times, I’ve left messages, I’ve emailed. Nada. Don’t waste your money or your time with this place. Go to the Great Kills YMCA.

$ 120 a month for an indoor playground in a small cramped place where I can just go to a playground for free? I still have no clue why people send their kid here unless they have a ton of dispensable income laying around. I know there are a ton of parents who swear by these type of places, but you will never sell me on it. I took my daughter here 2x for a free class. Why not? The first she was only about 6 months. The class was completely empty except for one other couple who were new parents. The teacher tried to sell me how it was just a fluke that no one was there and usually the class is packed. I don’t believe her. I found the teacher to be overly fake happy and borderline annoying. She took my daughter and placed her on her stomach AFTER I told her she HATES tummy time so please don’t even attempt it. Needless to say, my kid wasn’t happy. Then there were the bubbles blown in her face, woopie. She then sang songs, my daughter stared into space, and all this for over $ 100 a month. Um, yeah ok.
I took her again at 2 and she had as much interest in the place as she did at 6 months. The same teacher was there as the last time and even more annoying. The equipment was soso and my daughter found maybe 2 things she even liked playing on. Then there was circle time where she read a book (I can do that at home for free or go to a free story time at the library), took a puppet and shoved it in my kids face and then had them sit on some log type contraption and started shaking it vigioursly. Um, yeah, not every kid is going to respond to this well. None of the parents talked to each other and all hovered over their kids, even though it’s fully matted, like they were playing over hot coals. I found the entire class to be beyond boring and couldn’t wait to leave. I know this is a franchise operation, but the price is absurd. They charge $ 40-​$ 50 at other locations. Save your money, buy a sock puppet and do all the same activities at your house or the playground.

When I first called and did a preview I was amazed. I thought Miss Fran was very friendly. When I went to sign up a few weeks later for the month 9:15 am, I was told you have to do a 4 month commitment as I wasn’t aware of by another lady and then by Miss Fran. Then Miss Fran in her loud voice said «I recognize you!» Yes you were in the class! and I told her I did attend the class and I told another lady before her the same. I didn’t know the name I thought it was music one b/​c she sang but I guess that was play and learn. I felt like I was being accused of trying to be sneaky. I was told I must of been told and they are doing me a big favor by letting me preview again as they never do this since I was already there. I was told that 3 more times and started to feel very uncomfortable as if I was going there for a freebie. Then I was told that if they only did 1 month then they wouldn’t make any money. My son has been diagnosed with autism and it isn’t easy for me. I do the best I can and after feeling that from being super nice to now being unfriendly and uncomfortable, I grab my belongings and left. I felt very hurt as how someone so nice can be so superficial. This business should also be in the business of helping children be the best they can be.

My daughter (age 2) has never attended a class at Gymboree, but when I was deciding to celebrate her Birthday Party a friend suggested Gymboree.
Anyhow, I had the birthday Sunday, November 20, 2011. There was a teacher as well as an assistant present. I thought it was very age appropriate. The children loved it, they played, danced, bubbles, tunnel fun, rode the «pony»… etc!
I thought the food was a bit over-​priced, but they have to make $$$ somehow. Also, another issue I had with the place is, they did not allow you to bring anything from home :(…
Again, if your child is an Infant up to four I think this is a perfect place to have a party. As for germs, there is germs at every party place you go…

My kids really enjoyed Gymboree. I think it helped them reach their milestones sooner. I think its great for babies & toddlers. Safe & awesome play area for children. Better than taking them to the park. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because they raised their prices and so I stopped taking my kids.

From here on out Gymboree shall be known as «Germboree».OK on with this review…
I was nearly hooked with my first inquiry phone call. Miss Fran couldn’t be any nicer. They have a great policy of trying out a class with the little one (s) before you pay… which is smart because they are so freakin expensive. That is my only gripe with this business. Well, that and the GERMS… but can that really be avoided? After our first week of fun. we are sitting home with a nasty cold. BOO.
I had the pleasure of experiencing 3 different class leaders so far, all of them exuberant, kind and engaging all the children by name.
One music class and unlimited «play and learn» is included in their exorbitant price… add an art class and it’s another $ 50.
The bottom line is… it IS good for the kids. My boys love it, even though one of em took his sweet time before he decided to join the fun. but that is ok. The teachers encourage participation but it is a non pressured atmosphere and the children are free to join the teacher led activity or venture out on their own.