Putting Kids First

With the opening of the newest KidsFirst Learning Center in Strongsville, owners Bill and Martha Boyer will offer local parents access to their successful Montessori-based curriculum for children ages six weeks to six years. Find out how your child can benefit from a kid-centered education, too.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 06/27/2008
If everyone in the world put kids first, it would be a much better place.” Those were the words that Martha Boyer uttered to herself in 1992, just prior to opening her first KidsFirst Learning Center in Parma Heights.

Sparked by her daughter’s difficulties in finding a loving, yet educational environment for her newborn in New York, Martha decided to retire early—after nearly 25 years as a teacher—to take care of her new grandchild.

“There was just nothing of quality out there,” she shares. “The good centers were all really expensive and the less expensive centers were substandard.”

Eventually, her daughter was able to place her child in one of the “good” centers. “When I came back to the area, I decided that I was going to open a real school, one that parents could come in and know right away was a really great place, but also one that didn’t cost a fortune,” she offers with her signature enthusiasm.

Without meeting Martha in person, it’s difficult to appreciate her deep level of commitment to, and love of, the children who attend KidsFirst. She practically bubbles when she discusses the activities the children enjoy each day, and the teaching methods the center utilizes.

KidsFirst accepts children from six weeks to six years. No matter what age they start, education is incorporated into everyday activities. “We base all of our teaching on the Italian Montessori approach,” Martha describes.

“That means children aren’t forced to do an activity if they don’t want to. We teach them responsibility and structure by encouraging them to participate with the group. If they don’t want to, that’s fine, but then they cannot do the activity again until the next time it’s offered. They learn to make decisions and to also abide by the rules.”

The teacher acts as a facilitator whose role is to stimulate interest in all facets of a child-centered learning environment. A Montessori education recognizes the importance of all developmental areas—including social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs.

Make no mistake about it; every nanosecond of the day is spent nurturing, loving, educating and encouraging kids. And now, Martha and her husband Bill will open their newest KidsFirst Learning Center, in Strongsville. In addition to their center in Parma Heights, they also own and operate a KidsFirst in Olmsted Falls.

The centers are highly regarded by the school systems in which they operate and children who graduate from the KidsFirst program are already immersed in the school curriculum—even before they embark on their first day of kindergarten.

“Children are always able to make choices and we offer the same programs in the morning that we do in the afternoon,” Martha explains. “It helps to emphasize the messages they’re taught.” KidsFirst offers “open” and “closed” activities, so children are never sitting for back-to-back time periods.

Another unique aspect of KidsFirst is that children advance to different levels based on ability—not age. “We celebrate the milestones of each child,” she smiles. “And if that means your three-year-old is ready to move up to the pre-k classroom, that’s what we do. Children should progress as they’re ready.”

The new Strongsville location will have three pre-k classrooms, three preschool classrooms, three toddler classrooms, and two infant classrooms that are divided into tiny infants and older infants. “A six-week-old should not be in the same classroom as an 18-month-old,” Martha insists. “They have completely different needs. We do what’s appropriate for them.”

Nancy Babinec serves as Executive Director of the Parma Heights and Olmsted Falls locations and will do the same in Strongsville. “Nancy has been with me since the start and shares our focus,” Martha enthuses.
Martha serves as a “guest teacher” in every classroom to stay connected with the kids and to ensure the center’s mission is carried out. The day-to-day teaching staff includes degreed teachers (some with masters and some with bachelors degrees), certified nannies and accredited instructors, all of whom share the KidsFirst philosophy—that you can’t love a child too much, and that every child should feel the comforting encouragement of touch throughout their day.

And that day includes everything from Spanish and science, to physical fitness and reading. “Every classroom has objectives, but the most important aspect is that children are taught through play—even the babies,” she smiles. The center is divided into color-coded levels so the children know where they are supposed to be and can find their way around.

Security is of the utmost importance and all of the entry doors are locked. The front entry is equipped with an intercom buzz-in system. “Our parents should feel free to visit their child anytime throughout the day,” Martha emphasizes.

One of the nicest benefits of a KidsFirst education for any child is that nutritional meals are included in the cost. “Children who arrive before 8 a.m. are given breakfast and every child gets a balanced lunch that’s cooked on site,” she beams. Lunches typically feature hot items, and a morning and afternoon snack is also provided.

But one of the things you won’t find at KidsFirst is a hefty cost associated with all of the amenities offered. “Our rates are lower than most comparable centers in the area—and we offer so much more. It’s really the best value,” Martha confides.

In fact, Martha and Bill are so confident in the quality of their centers, they encourage parents to check out other facilities to see how they measure up against KidsFirst. “We know that nobody does what we do when it comes to cost and quality,” she insists. “But parents should feel 100-percent sure about this kind of decision.

It’s one of the most important they can make. Go to other centers, take tours, and see what’s available before deciding to join us.”

KidsFirst Learning Centers are very popular and space fills up fast. To avoid being placed on the waiting list, it’s important to reserve your child’s space at the new Strongsville location before it opens in August. The center can be found at 15163 Howe Road and the phone number is 440-878-0088.

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