Jana Kirks is one of the best ballet teachers in California, let alone Bakersfield. She is…read moreextremely knowledge in her craft. I was under her tutelage for 4 years, and my technique improved vastly. She helped develop my passion for my ballet so much so that I'm considering following in her footsteps in becoming an Royal Academy of Dance certified teacher as well. If you want to truly become a great ballet dancer, you must go to Jana. She'll give you the tools you need to go on to be a professional ballerina.

I used Yelp to find Ballet classes for my toddler. When I…read morecalled the woman on the phone answered with "hello." I asked if I was calling a dance studio and the woman said "yes you are" but never identified the name of the business. I had to ask what the name of the business was just to confirm I was calling the right place. The woman on the phone sounded nice enough and for all, I know this may very well be the best dance studio in town... but on the phone I just did not get the most professional vibe. This was definitely a deterrent for me.

This theatre is a wonderful thing for kids that need a place to belong in some way. I've seen kids…read moreblossom here and do wonderful things. They build friendships, gain confidence, learn how to work together, learn responsibility and so much more... I've seen kids that have had behavioral problems change participating here. I've seen shy kids become bigger than life. I really can't describe how awesome this is. It may not be perfect as nothing is in life but it is a place that many need or love. Encourage your kids to try things they show interest in whatever they may be, they might shine! This theatre is about the kids

Our children have tremendously enjoyed being a part of AOTCB's theater "framly". They have grown in…read moreto their own little shells and have learned so much about theater and made so many friends in the process.

While known for cheerleading, Central Valley Athletics also offers tumbling group classes and…read moreprivate tumbling lessons as well. The tumbling classes are affordable! Trained and experienced coaches lead the classes. I can't recommend them enough!

We have been apart of Cheer Gyms that treat you like a Business transaction but not CVA - The…read moreOwners Jackie and Cobbie treat you like Family, this is a totally different environment to experience. We look forward to new Adventures at CVA

Polga Fitness is a combination of Pole fitness and Yoga…read more I had my first experience with Polga Fitness when my friend bid on a Polga party at a silent auction and won. She invited me (a swing dancer) and a group of her ballroom dancing friends to join her. I initially said no, as I assumed that Polga Fitness was secret code for stripper pole dancing, but knowing the group that was going (very conservative) I reluctantly agreed. My pre-first impressions couldn't have been more wrong! Here was a group of married ballroom dancing females laughing and giggling and having fun as we learned a few simple spins to contemporary/hip music. This was a group of women feeling empowered in their own feminine abilities, not a group of women pandering to the tastes of leering men. I talked to the instructor, Diana, after the class and told her about some self-confidence issues I was dealing with. I am a nationally competitive swing dancer and dance instructor whose shyness around men was holding me back from reaching the next level in my competitions. Diana shared with me her vision for Polga Fitness and how she wanted to empower women, help them get physically fit, increase their strength and flexibility, increase their self-confidence, and show them how to have a lot of fun. She challenged me to try a few private lessons and see what a difference it made. I started taking private lessons (way too chicken to actually do this in a group) and was 'flipping' upside down on the pole in no time (only a couple of weeks)! I couldn't believe that I was doing it, and looking good, too! (Diana takes pictures to help us remember and celebrate our accomplishments). And the difference it made in my self-confidence was amazing. I can now look anyone directly in the eyes with no shyness whatsoever!! I have now started taking some group lessons and they are sooooo much fun! Can you imagine the adrenaline rush of hanging upside down or spinning on a 15' tall spinning pole?!? It is not at all intimidating to do our spins and tricks in a group setting, and the girls in your class quickly begin to feel like your closest friends! There's usually someone better than you to give you a feel for what you can do if you keep working at it, and someone at or below your own level so you can see where you've come from and share the journey. The group classes are kept small (no more than 5 people in each class, I believe) so you never get lost in the crowd. Diana gives everyone personal attention and encouragement. She's a perky little thing - kind of like a permanent ray of sunshine. There are classes geared more towards beginners, classes for more experienced dancers, and classes emphasizing stretching and strength building, too. Workshops are held periodically in other related fitness fields. Polga Fitness allows you to schedule private parties for you and your friends. Or you can try out the private lessons or group classes. This business is A+ and as classy as you can get! http://www.polgafitnessbasba.com/

I'm 31, a happy wife and mother of a 1 1/2 year old. If you…read moreare a woman looking for a creative strength-building workout, you've found it. If you are willing to try something new, you're about to be surprised by your own body. Polga offers pole fitness, fly gym, and hula hoop classes on a weekly basis, and has held women's empowerment and self defense workshops. You can easily register online each week for the classes you choose. You can vary your schedule from week to week depending on what style of workout you want. The difference I've experienced at Polga is that the classes (Pole, in particular) are not about learning a sexy pole dance routine -- it's about using the pole as a piece of fitness equipment in order to build strength, flexibility, and balance. Not to say that it doesn't make you feel sexy when you start to realize just how strong your body is becoming! It is certainly fun as well as challenging. The atmosphere I have experienced there is encouraging, positive, and accepting. I've noticed that the instructors make it a point to walk each person to the door as they leave after class and share a personal word or two. Looking back on my own personal story, I felt a bit lost after I had my son. Life was good, but the majority of my time and energy went into caring for others and my priorities didn't include myself. Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE WHAT I DO (staying home with my son)... but when I started working out at Polga Studio, it brought back a renewed sense of achievement in myself. My body isn't in shape like it used to be before I had a child. It's easy to feel frustrated and defeated when you are used to your body looking better than it does now. But fitness is a process! I'm enjoying every bead of sweat and every time my muscles burn at Polga. There are all different ages and sizes of women there working out and it has become a wonderful place for me to go 2 times a week -- I can get focused, share some laughs, learn something new, and continue to get fit.

My granddaughter, a cheerleader here, has made incredible progress since starting tumbling at age…read more5. She loves it here and has gained confidence, positivity, and many new friends. The owner and coaches are always available to answer questions and provide support. Josh, the coordinator, creates college-level routines that have led to their success at every competition. I am proud to be part of this organization and watch the kids grow. Hard work and dedication pay off. EAT, SLEEP, CHEER, REPEAT. I'm excited for next season. GO REIGN ELITE! Proud Grandmother here.

My daughter loves cheering here . I recommend to anyone who is interested in cheer: great gym!read more

I can't believe that I haven't reviewed this gem yet…read more Lengthy review..... My wife and I relocated to Bakersfield after I got off of active duty. We're new here and don't have family, so welcoming our newborn into childcare was already daunting. The first place had her in the Kern County heat during the summer for 2+ hrs and second place made us to believe she was chunky. Needless to say, my wife and I lost a lot of sleep stressing about if our baby was safe and loved at day care, I even started working nights to ensure she didn't have to stay at the daycare "Lil Explorer's" for a lengthy period of time. Well, backing up two years ago, my wife and I toured Cal Ivy and she fell in love, me not so much. I was scared that one of their pet lizards would get loose and attack my baby while she was sleep "nonsense because the pets aren't in the classrooms for the babies." Well, low and behold, I called them up for a second tour and decided to give them a try. Instead of the pet lizzard getting loose- the love, empathy, and sense of security came out and drowned my entire family. My baby girl was in the most safe of hands with people who genuinely cared about her. She had such a blast and we were all so sad when she had to leave because we relocated to Houston, TX in August of 2019. God always has the final say! We ended up moving back to Bakersfield in Feburrary of 2020 and they had a spot for her. Our girl ran up to all of the staff and gave them hugs and I, of course because full of tears. It's an amazing experience seeing your child runaway to school and know she is protected and educated. She litteraly ran away from me at the front desk and was playing in her new class. Cal Ivy has been so good to our family and I know they will be good to yours " someone I reffered from another yelp review enrolled their kiddo and loved it." Thank you for always loving my baby and keeping her safe. We're so glad to be back home and have her in the safest, loving, enriching school in town!

This was called the Mercy Child Development Center until they decided to get out of the child…read moredaycare business several years ago. With facing impending closure and the possibility of the community losing such a invaluable child care service, Mr. Edward R. Paine stepped up and assumed financial responsibility and now Cal Ivy Prep has become the finest daycare facility in Bakersfield. I know this from personal experience because when my daughter first moved to Bakersfield her son was less than 1 year old and now he is 4-1/2 years old. He has been going to Cal Ivy all this time while his mother was working full time and completing her degree at CSUB. Since we lived locally at the time, I was afforded the opportunity of sometimes taking my grandson to daycare in the morning and picking him up in the afternoon. While spending time at Cal Ivy I got to know many of the the teachers, aids and admin staff. My distinct impression is that they are all caring, nurturing, compassionate and supportive people with good hearts. Oh I'm sure you could find a less expensive place to take your child if that is your prime criteria. However I can assure you that you will not find a finer daycare facility in which to leave the most precious gift in your life - your child.

My babies, 2 & 4 now, have been attending since August 2016 so where do I start? When we pick them…read moreup, we are given a half sheet daily report that includes the day's menu, the focus of the week, if they napped, important notes on behavior or rewards, and even emojis to tell us what their mood was like that day: happy, quiet, tired, excited, etc. As a parent and educator, I find this form of communication helpful as well as convenient. Here is some work we have up this month. I'm always excited to see what they will bring home next! Thanks to the team at Lil Explorers

I'm writing this to share my experience and hopefully help other parents make an informed decision…read more My daughter is almost 1 1/2 years old and has been attending Lil Explorers since she was just 8 weeks old. Unfortunately, since the administration changed in October 2025, the quality of care has significantly declined. There has been a very high turnover rate with teachers, which creates an unstable environment for the children. One of my biggest concerns has been safety. My daughter was repeatedly bitten by the same child, and there were multiple instances where I was not informed. I only discovered the injuries after noticing marks on her arms and legs when she got home. At one point, my daughter was bitten four times in a single day. I reported this to child Care Licensing in California, and they conducted a visit to the facility the following week. After that, I felt there was a shift in how my daughter was treated. I began receiving reports that she was "biting" and "fighting," which had never been an issue before--either at home or previously at the school. What's most concerning is the lack of transparency and consistency. On multiple occasions, I've received completely different explanations from different staff members about the same incident. Most recently, I picked up my daughter and found a bite mark on her hand that I had not been informed about, and I was given three different stories by three different teachers. While the director may come across as professional, my experience has been that communication is inconsistent and not always truthful. I strongly encourage parents to do their due diligence by looking up the facility's licensing history on the California state website and reviewing any complaints. At the end of the day, we trust these facilities to protect and care for our children. Based on my experience, I no longer feel confident that this center is providing the level of care and supervision that children deserve. I also want to add that my experience wasn't always negative. My son attended this facility from the time he was a year old and graduated in summer 2025. During his time there, I had a wonderful experience. The staff was always loving, caring, and attentive, and I never had any issues. It was truly heartbreaking to see so many of those amazing teachers leave when the administration changed, because they made such a positive impact on my child and our family. Child Care Licensing state of California https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing the facility license number is 153808662 and 153808664

When we arrived from Northern California, we were looking for a new community to make acquaintances…read moreand friendships. We found that at St. Francis Parish School and Church. We entered my son in at the SFPS preschool and watched how he grew in confidence and ability. My son is currently entering fifth grade and we have seen a lot of changes at our school, all for the better! There are new teachers with fresh ideas and energy and we have experienced teachers who help drive our culture and rich academics. My son has had wonderful experiences while being active in our school's Chess Club, Drama Program, Scout Program and Robotics Team. This past spring our school was even able to deliver a full curriculum with a fast pivot to distance learning and we expect an even better experience at the restart of the school year in the midst of the pandemic.

We have loved having our children at St. Francis. They receive a well rounded education while…read moregrowing in their Catholic faith. The school provides Project lead the way, PE, Art, and Library time giving them hands on learning outside the classroom.