I have so many great things to say about this school, But all I can say is THANK YOU ,to all the teachers and staff, my daughter was very happy to attend this wonderful program, she even wanted to go to school sat and sundays, she would cry cause I would tell her it was closed. Great director, great teachers, clean and safe environmen, healthy food and snacks for the kids served daily. Thank you for the patience and love you give our kids. read more

YMCA - First Friendships Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Long Beach, California

See all

Amazing, helpful staff! Thank you for making my child feel safe and seen at school! Just A BIG THANK YOU GUYS!! you guys will be missed

It's my son's first time in preschool this school year and although he recently started I can see positive changes. He gets so excited to go to school he even wants to go on the weekends lol. They do so many activities with the kiddos and keep them busy. The class is nice, organized and the outdoor play area is huge with different sections. All staff is wonderful and professional. Ms Veronica was so helpful and patient. She made this process so easy for me because I had bad experiences at other preschools I looked into. Room 2 teachers are AMAZING! Huge shout out to Ms. Jocelyn, Ms. Renita and Ms. Sharon! They are so caring and always provide me with updates regarding my son's progress. They have such good energy and you can tell they care about their students. My son is always talking about his teachers and how much he loves school. I highly recommend this preschool. I'm so grateful and feel safe knowing my son is in great hands. read more

Amazing Teachers and great school for the kiddos! Truly appreciated all the teachers and their hard work. Ms. Renita - very caring individual who has lots of patience and passionate about teaching. She gives great guidance and help children to express their feelings. Highly respect and much love for Ms Renita and her work ethics. Ms. Sandra, Ms. Gloria, & Ms. Maria - Truly grateful for each individual teacher. Great with kids & very caring. They give me reports almost everyday regarding how my kids behave and what they did for today. Ms. Maria is competent and passionate in helping to make sure each child is ready to transition to kindergarten. Ms. Lupe & Ms. Marina - Very caring and patient with the tiny little humans. They devote a lot attentions to each child which is truly appreciated. Overall a great school - friendly, supportive, & welcoming to all students. read more

Our experience here has been great. Room #2 teachers are awesome! Ms. Renita, Ms. Sharon and Ms. Jocelyn are wonderful at what they do. They are very friendly and attentive to the kids. They provide frequent updates about our kid and are approachable. We would recommend this preschool. This is a safe and clean environment for children to learn and explore. read more

It's my daughter first year attending and so far so good. She likes going to school and she says it's fun. They have so many activities for the kids. Recently it was grandparents day and my parents enjoyed themselves. Her teachers are wonderful Ms.Jocelyn, Ms. Renita, & Ms. Sharon they communicate with me what's going on, how's she's doing, how was nap time etc. each teacher is very welcoming. You will always know what's going on through the app, paper and bulletin they have posted. I feel safe leaving my daughter at the school, door are secure, also they cameras. They do have a no cellphone policy when picking up and dropping off which i think it's great. Here some pictures my dad got when it was grandparents day. read more

See all

My child has been attending Ymca- First Friendships for over a year and half and honestly it has been the best choice. It's such a great program, and enriching experience for my son. My son loves his school and his teachers! The school staff and specially his teachers from room 5 are wonderful! I definitely trust them & continue to highly recommend. read more

My son currently attends ymca first friendship, it has been a great pleasure watching him grow and learn everyday. I have nothing but great compliments for the teachers and staff at the school. I am great-full for the staff and teachers because they truly care about their students. I highly recommend enrolling your child to help them prepare for kindergarten. A special thanks to his teachers in room 5! Thank you for all you do for him. read more

My daughter had a lovely experience with a few of the teachers at this site. Sadly, she was sad to go on to Kinder. All the teachers are kind, courteous and truly cared for my child's well being. To this day she still remembers them with much love. Ms. Evelyn, Ms. Angela and Ms. Maria. And the rest are all excellent. Ms. Alex, the director always willing to help with a smile and answer any questions or clear any concerns. Very approachable. I will definitely consider this pre-school again for my other children. I want them to have a good start in their early education in a kid friendly environment. Ms. Veronica, the eligibility clerk, very friendly, informative and helpful. read more

YMCA - First Friendships Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Long Beach, California

The best school for my daughter she started here and has come a long way! All the staff that work here are amazing!

I really enjoy having my kids attend first friendships. My son is in room 1 and my daughter room 5 and they have learned so much from their amazingly trained teachers. I'm grateful for their patience with my kids and all the experiences they have given them. read more

To whom it may Concern: I am a very proud parent of two children one who attended and one is attending this Preschool at this present time. I must say that this school has given or giving a very strong foundation to both of my children to build on in the future.The staff especially for the patience, caring and passionate devotion to our future....My respects to management and the team!!!!!!! One of the rules that impressed me from day one was the one that said, Words To this effect, the school will give you two months until you to get a job or for-fill the requirements so your child can stay @ First Friendship. Rules like this are important because there are probably multiple applicants trying to enter this quality school and if you don't for-fill these qualifications let the next applicant have an opportunity to met needed requirements. Some parents might have issues with this but they are unhappy because they are selfish and are only thinking about themselves.Furthermore, parents are the ones responsible for setting a good examples for our kids.I can only say by teaching them to lie, as one parent did on Yelp, maybe you need to look with in and stand up and take responsibility for not meeting the requirements with in the time allowed to keep your child in this school also you should be ashamed for setting this type of example to your child... As for me, I want to thank First Friendship, staff and management for the quality skills you have taught my son and daughter Agustin and Elena Delgadillo. read more

As a current parent, this school worries me. We been attending for 2 months, and it has been terrible for all of us. Pros: their hours their open are good: the number of teachers to student is great; the enrollment person is really good and works with you, two thumbs up. Cons: teachers are very rude & disrespectful to parents, if your child isn't an angel they target you, we were 5 mins late and turned away by the teachers, but other parents come in past their time, so not fair, the director lady has accused us parents of lying to be in the program, and is very loud & rude screaming across the school to the other office girl, hear it everytime we go in to drop off, teachers & director yelled and interrupt me l when I try to pay at the office, very very not professional, the director lady walks all over the enrollment person & treats her bad in front of me and other people , makes me think how they treat the kids there when we leave. The school needs to a change, this could be better school but the teachers & director lady have made this place very bad for us. read more

As a former parent I can appreciate the changes made to the facility environmental as well as staffing. I can honestly say I am content and satisfied knowing that my children are in this improved environment. The new director Ms. Alex is cheerful and friendly at all times, but most importantly she is present and available read more

YMCA - First Friendships Preschool - As a former parent I can appreciate the changes made to the facility environmental as well as staffing. I can honestly say I am content and - Preschools Near Me - Long Beach, California

I have been a proud member of the YMCA for a few years now. This preschool made some amazing changes by removing the previous director and welcoming Ms. Alex as the new director. My children noticed the difference in curriculum, and we noticed the change in organization and staff pleasantly. But soon things went south. We began to have issues with staff in regards to my youngest child. I had no issue with Ms. Alex, and she would even let me arrive 5-10 mins late as she had informed us there was a grace period. But as soon as there were a few incidents with my child not listening and being hyperactive, I was refused entry for running 2-3 minutes late. What started as strong and enthusiastic staff, have become temperamental and disengaging. Now, they have staff who show off body parts no one wants to see, and is very inappropriate with children around. I have observed: staff who get disciplined in front of myself, with no regard to professionalism or respect; staff who are yelled out for engaging parents as they drop off/pick up. I haven't seen such a decline in a preschool since the last director, where the situation was unbearable. Even more so, I have overheard Ms. Alex openly call parents liars when speaking to staff, in regards to a few complaints lodged against her. This type of behavior is expected from a child, not from a director. I can only imagine Ms. Alex will say this is also a lie, even after I caught her willingly asked a select few of parents for positive reviews. read more

My son Ignacio started School on October of last year. My son was diagnosed with Autism and Speech Delay; but ever since he started School I've seen so much Progress on him. He talks a lot now and uses sentences. I am amazed by the way he communicates with others!! He loves his Teachers Ms. Manuela & Ms Charlotte. They totally Rock! I highly recommend this School for you child. Trust me you won't regret it ;) read more

Awesome school! Will work with parents as well as students. Teachers are friendly and helpful. The staff including the director is amazing very polite on top of things and knows each kid. My daughter loves her teachers she always says that they help her and teach her and comes home beaming with pride as she tells me what she has learned. Ms Maria is amazing at her job and knows her stuff she is constantly coming up with creative activities for the kids and fundraisers that are always fun. The eligibility clerk, Ms. Veronica is very helpful with both parents and the kids and Ms Alex is an amazing director and takes her job to another level always trying to find way to improve the school both in classroom and outside. Very responsive to the parents will answer any questions or concerns to the best of their ability if not they will point you to the right direction, very attentive to the kids and their needs if they are hurt they always communicate with the parent of the event, security as to who picks up the child is tight, rules are followed so that the proper person picks them up. All the staff work as an amazing team and that is not something that is often seen at all the schools. Since my daughter started school there we have had no issue whatsoever. The only downside to my experience is that I wish I would've started her there earlier! Overall amazing and highly recommended! read more

As a first time parent I had no clue about where to start looking for a preschool for my daughter well I am happy to say I have found it here! Teachers are very caring and my daughter has learned so much in the short time she has been here. read more

First friendships has great teachers who are willing to work with the kids individually. I have personally seen the teacher work with the kids and make fun games for them to learn. Definitely recommend this preschool to any parent looking for fun and safe learning environment. read more