Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA

😡😡😡💥💥💥don’t fall for the teacher acting very nice when u dropping your child off because when those doors closed and you have left the building it’s a different story.they wasn’t teaching my child not one thing all my child knew how to do is come home and tell me what teacher had done said to other kids like (cursing). I had a very negative experience with the YMCA my child attended. There was a different substitute teacher almost every day, which made it difficult for my child to get consistent support and guidance. To make matters worse, there were reports of bedbugs that affected several kids, including mine. The staff's attitudes were also concerning and unprofessional. I genuinely believe that if you send your child here, it may come across as though you don't prioritize their well-being. I strongly discourage anyone from choosing this place for their child. If you do, please stay vigilant about your child's experience, as it has been very troubling. I tried sitting in the classroom with my child, and when they asked me when I was leaving, I realized something was wrong. The teachers seemed out of it, almost as if they were on drugs. I wouldn't recommend sending your child here unless you want them to experience issues like bedbugs and other children hitting or bullying without any intervention from the teachers. It's concerning to see your child in an environment like this.

I wouldn’t send my child here if it was the last “daycare” on earth! It’s a revolving door of teachers. The teachers are very unprofessional, and rude! To top it off they come to work dressed very sloppy! They are never teaching just constantly on their phone. If you are sending your child here with the expectation of them getting an education…u can forget it! The admin encourages the staff not to teach. Then when you go to the director Mrs. Serene she acts slow and oblivious to what’s happening in her establishment! She’s just always looking slow and act dumbfounded when you bring something to her attention. The school has some potential just get a new director and get rid of some of the preschool staff.

I don’t care what anyone else has to say! Please do not allow your children to attend this school! The teachers are mistreating your children! I have witnessed it with my own eyes! They call your kids out of their names! My son was telling me everything! I have talked to several parents who babies complained about them throwing things at them. My son was called a “b!+(# axx ninja” (he’s 1/2 deaf) by people who I thought cared about him! I knew it was a reason why he hated going to school, he used to cry and tell me that his teachers and students were so rude to him! They pretended to care about me and my child in front of my face but was putting him in an uncomfortable situation whole time. I hate they ruined my baby experience for wanting to go to school! Only God knows the torment he experienced in that place! Please it’s not everyone! Mrs. Annie is an angel and they talk about her like a dog! I will take this further and I’m giving up names! I didn’t know that you could teach people kids and not be train to do so. I will be the change for that because I am going to stand tall and get justice for mine. Board of Education will be hearing from me!

I personally have enjoyed taking my children to this facility. My son matriculated through their pre-school/pre-K program and I was very satisfied. I knew that my little one was being cared for in a safe and friendly learning environment. Not to mention the camps offered throughout the entire year; he always enjoys those. Lastly, my eldest son has benefited from the opportunity to volunteer and participate in Leadership camps for teens. I am feel blessed to have them within the downtown city limits. Give it a try and don't allow someone else's negative experience to deter you from checking it out. Their experience was valid yet its not the end of the story.

Please be warned! If you have gone to other YMCA locations like Carl Sanders, Arthur Blanks YMCA will be a GREAT disappointment. I read the reviews related to this location and should have followed my gut instinct on this one. My son has previously attended the Carl Sanders YMCA summer camps for 3 years straight but thought trying the Arthur Blank Camp for LIT (Leaders in Training) might be a good switch. It was not. Months leading up to the camp I could get no information on what the camp entailed. I called weekly and could never get in contact with the director. No literature was presented, no orientation was given--all things done at Carl Sanders PRIOR to camp starting. On the first day of camp I still had not received any documentation. The nice gentleman at the front was my only source for any information (i.e. drop off and pick up procedures, items to bring, activities that were planned, etc). The first week of camp was so disorganized. We had to come in to sign our kids in and out though I had been told we would be able to drop off on day one. When I inquired about the schedule for camp I was told a gentleman had it and they didn't know where he was. My son did not like the camp at all save for a few of the male counselors that were nice and "funny" as he termed it. He mentioned that at times they did not provide snacks for the kids which they should have done. But no big deal I provided money for my son so he could "buy" snacks but other kids complained they were hungry because not enough snacks were given or none at all. As a result my son would sometimes share his snacks with the kids. On one occasion they could not find the key to the snack cabinet. Later the individual with the key was found to have hidden themselves in the snack room and was watching NETFLIX! The final straw was when my son called me to tell me that after a recent trip to Main Event the kids were dropped off at the mall. They were either unsupervised or more shocking allowed to go into an adult store (likely Spencer's). In there some of the girl campers took pictures with sex toys and posted them on Instagram. Luckily my son did not go on this trip, but unluckily he is on Instagram. When he brought this to my attention I immediately called the camp. Naturally the director was not available and the assistant director was not in. I ended up speaking to the driver about the incident. Not 10 minutes later my son calls to inform me that kids were asking why his mother called to tell on them about the pictures. That is ridiculous. Never did I think for a moment that they would talk to the kids and identify me and my son as the ones having brought this issue up. Luckily its his LAST day because I can't imagine what would happen to him having been identified as a "snitch". This place is horrible. My son has not learned anything about leadership. His sole responsibility is to set up and break down tables each day for activities. There is no added value. Steer clear of this location at all costs for your sake and your kids!