A review to this school because it brought me so much nostalgia!! (The Otrantos)…read moreMy kids went to this YMCA exactly 21 & 19 yrs ago. It's still the old building, and they went from 2 all the way to Pre-K and moved to Kindergarten w no issues. And they BOTH could read and do math appropriate for their age in kindergarten, all because this school truly teaches kids. So yes, the YMCA wasn't just for show, they actually worked with their young students, and the loving and caring from EVERY SINGLE TEACHER AND 2 Directors at the time? PRICELESS! They're amazing!
We've moved out of Fla 12 yrs ago, when they're on 5th and 2nd grade, and we've heard there's a brand new YMCA school building, and we're happy to hear they continue to provide amazing care and great Teachers still.
Lucky are the parents that are able to still send their kids there!
And we noticed on a bunch of reviews that the pre-school remains the same: great learning curriculum, caring and knowledgeable Teachers (my son is Asperger and ADHD) and they knew, they worked w him appropriately, and per our request, NEVER treated him like he's different from other kids. He didn't even know he's Autistic until we told him around his 10th BDay. THAT is how great the Teachers and school staff treated him. It's important to us that he's in a normal environment and didn't get special treatment. He never did. And he did amazing there, and so did our younger daughter.
I remember their prices were the same as the other "truly crappy" Pre Schools in the area.
Now, at the time they offered a discount if you had a Family Membership of YMCA, which we had it (and used extensively all they offered) plus by having 2 kids going? We got a little extra discount. (We're not sure if those discounts still exists, since now Govt. pays 1/2 day for pre school? At the time we didn't have that help from the Govt.) plus at the time, swimming lessons were included if they're 2 yrs. plus and those were so important living near beaches, and having a pool. (According to other reviewers, yes, they still include swimming lessons) They also used to include on tuition, ballet dance classes for our 2 yr girl, and it's was also a huge PLUS. She went on to dance her whole young life, and graduated on dancing at 18 from a top ballet pre professional School, and was invited to professionally dance in top Ballet Schools & Theaters in NY and all over the country.. and it all started at the YMCA!!
So yes, even after all this time? Reading others here brought great memories.. because my grown kids? They now REMEMBER how great and fun the school was for them.. lots of good, fun childhood memories from the Y!!
I can tell you by experience, and it's something I learned from their Pediatrics at the time: "Mom, you'll KNOW your kid were happy and had fun while learning, when you pick them up. If they're smiling, tired but happy to see you (no tears!!) and dirty?? It means they TRULY had a great day in pre-school". LOL
He's so right! This YMCA pre-school was, IS amazing and I would resend my "kids" again if I could.. lol.. plus if I lived there still? One day My grandchildren would eventually go to this same amazing, fun school.
Good to know their Loving and caring staff hasn't changed in over 21+ yrs.
I hope more people will value how great and special this school is. They're humble, but they're amazing!!
They didn't treat anyone different; there were no snobs, no kid was treated better than others, and they loved our kids like their own. That's what mattered as working parents for us. We'd give 10 stars if we could!