Geyer Family Branch - YMCA of Montclair

★★Jasper Tandoori

Highly unorganized swim program. Instructors are ALWAYS late and never answer emails. You might sign up for a level 1, 2 ..etc class, but then immediately discover your child is splitting time with other levels while instructors are distracted with discussing pool chlorination or class assignments. I don’t even mind last minute cancellations from the YMCA due to their HVAC malfunctioning, but then to have to constantly email (because their front desk will pretend to transfer you and then hang up) and be assigned a make-up class 2 months later is unprofessional. Feedback on progress isn’t given until they ask for your payment for the next semester. Upon paying for the next semester, there’s a good chance they won’t have you in the system. Their scheduling emails come from “signup genius” so check your spam folder, but they won’t answer emails personally despite giving business cards. All-in-all, horribly organized business - any operations director or regional manager in the real world would be stunned by the lack of professionalism and accountability.

★Daisy Coffee

We enrolled our child in this program after spending a long time on the waitlist, hoping it would be a nurturing and supportive environment. Unfortunately, from the very first appointment through the enrollment process, the experience was anything but smooth—or professional. Our child was placed in the Raccoon class, taught by Ms. Zalene K. Miller (who goes by Ms. Z) and Ms. Ashley. From day two, Ms. Z began criticizing our child harshly. Keep in mind, our child had not even turned three yet and was still transitioning from a school they loved. Instead of supporting this emotional adjustment, I found myself comforting Ms. Z and having to explain basic child development to her. It felt like the roles were reversed—she needed guidance more than the child did. Our biggest concern was Ms. Z’s harsh and punitive disciplinary style. She frequently used isolation—placing children in the corner—and used deeply inappropriate language like “you’re no good.” Witnessing this kind of treatment toward such young, vulnerable children was nothing short of heartbreaking. We also observed troubling issues during pick-up. Several times, we saw children with visible injuries—such as a little girl with a swollen hand—but no explanation or incident report was provided. Understandably, parents were shocked and upset when they discovered these things on their own. Supervision was equally concerning. During pick-up, staff were often distracted—chatting among themselves or scrolling on their phones—while children ran around in the heat or were left unsupervised in the gym. The lack of engagement and oversight was clear and alarming. We ultimately made the decision to withdraw our child after noticing a concerning change in behavior. It was clear this environment was neither healthy nor nurturing. To any parents considering this program: please do your research and trust your instincts. We wish we had recognized the red flags sooner. Don’t waste your time trying to resolve issues with the director or assistant director. They may appear cooperative at first—offering to switch classrooms—but it’s just surface-level. At the end of the day, all the children are lumped together in the gym or playground during extended care, and your child is once again under the supervision of the very teacher you were trying to avoid. It’s a cycle of empty promises designed to protect staff, not your child. After withdrawing, we reviewed the program’s records and discovered that there had already been reports made to DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services). That was the final confirmation we needed that this was not a safe or appropriate place for our child. Don’t choose a program based on convenience. This is your child’s well-being, emotional development, and trust in adults we’re talking about. You might save a few hundred dollars—but the emotional damage could leave scars that last a lifetime. To this day , every time we pass by the program , our child don’t even want to come close to the street

★Dennis Afariogun

I’ve been very disappointed with my experience at the Geyer Family YMCA daycare. It feels as though the focus is more on financial matters than truly caring for and supporting the kids. Instead of working with us to resolve challenges, they seem quick to send my kid home rather than offering the help and understanding that families really need. I was especially disappointed with the leadership, as the director didn’t seem to effectively address these issues or create a supportive environment. I hope they take this feedback to heart and make improvements to better support the children and families who rely on their services. Reply: It's disappointing that instead of acknowledging the issues raised, the Geyer Family YMCA daycare has chosen to deflect and dismiss concerns rather than take accountability. Claiming that the resources provided are sufficient feels like an excuse rather than a real effort to support families. When parents bring forward concerns, the expectation is that they will be heard and meaningful solutions will be offered—not that the problems will simply be brushed aside. Families deserve a daycare that prioritizes the well-being and care of their children, not just the financial bottom line. I truly hope they take this feedback seriously and make necessary improvements to better support the kids and parents who rely on their services.

★★★★Amanda Zayas

My family and I moved to the area about a year and a half ago. As a family that can't afford child care, discovering the YMCA Geyer building was a blessing. We have enrolled our son in numerous weekday programs likes story time, gym class, swim, and time for two's. I am so grateful that the Y offers programs where children can enjoy the building, socialization, and still find ways to learn and grow. My son recognizes where we are going just a block away and says "We made it" when we enter the parking lot. He feels safe and comfortable and I also feel the same. The staff members are fun and kind ! I really appreciate that the YMCA Geyer is a separate space from the YMCA. It feels like a little school ! I will continue enrolling my son in the many programs they offer and I hope they continue to keep these programs!

★★★★★Vu-An Foster

I was a member of the YMCA in Montclair when I was a little girl. I’m back with my son. We love the swimming classes. The Director Mr. Muhammad is great and very helpful. We recently tried out Kids Night Out. The staff were amazing, including the Director Jessica. She keeps us informed and up to date with our classes and any changes.