Preparing little ones for the rigors of school

By Patricia Nugent

In the time of Covid, the only thing for parents more worrisome than managing the shifting landscape of career demands is dealing with childcare.

During its two-month shutdown this spring, All Around Children in Strongsville upgraded its operation to accommodate students ages five through 12, who are now back to school in hybrid learning. A new expansion to its two-story, 21,000-square-foot brick building will open soon to house five new classrooms.

Led by owner Divya Sequeira and director Cynthia Corrado, the childcare facility enriches and cares for children through its Infant Program, Toddler Program, Pre-school and Pre-K programs, in addition to providing before and after care as well as summer camp to school-age children.

“After opening in 2016, we fell in love with this community,” says Divya. “It’s great to be right in the heart of Strongsville, on the square.”

A hallmark of the building’s novel design is wide open spaces, with large classrooms, spacious indoor playgrounds on both floors, and fenced-in outdoor playgrounds, too.

Cynthia describes their rigorous curriculum as STEAM-focused and says that they have a dual-purpose science lab/ creativity room that reinforces the scientific method and encourages budding Picassos. Especially important now, students are taught in the computer lab how to navigate a mouse and computer functions.

“We’ve often been told by Strongsville teachers and administrators that they can tell students who come from All Around Children because they seem so well-prepared for kindergarten, and that’s a real source of pride for us,” she says. “Our students can mirror their expectations and be well on the road to becoming a successful student.”

Making Things Easier for Busy Parents
“We go out of our way to make sure parents don’t have to worry about the details,” adds Divya. “This should feel like a home away from home. We have everything needed here, from formula to extra bottles and utensils to crib sheets. We also offer healthy food choices for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.”

For daily parent-teacher communication, parents can engage with teachers via the Brightwheel app, which allows teachers to post activity pictures throughout the day.

A Safe Haven
Teachers, administrators and anyone coming into the center must have their temperatures checked and wear masks. Hand sanitizer units have been installed throughout the building, which is rigorously sanitized throughout the day.

“While parents take their children directly to their classrooms in the morning, in the afternoon, we bring the children individually to the main lobby where the parents pick them up,” says Divya, who notes there hasn’t been a single case of Covid there.

What Local Parents are Saying
The nurturing formula of education and engagement has been winning over local parents. Here’s what a few say:

“My infant loves it there and smiles when he sees his caretakers. Only the best daycare for my son and after checking many of them out, I felt All Around Children to be far superior.” —Andrew L. of Strongsville

“My toddler loves it there! Also, my son’s teacher has her early childhood education degree…something most daycares can’t say about their staff.”

—Amy R. of Strongsville

One of eight family-owned locations in Northeast Ohio, All Around Children is located at 13895 Pearl Road at the corner of Route 82, in Strongsville. Children ages six weeks to 12 years old are welcome, and there are discounts for multiple children. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Private tours are available by appointment, and parents can also set up virtual meetings with administrators or teachers. Call 440-268-8330 or visit AllAroundChildren.com for more information.