Creative Kids in Westfield was established in 1986 by Fran Frere and Sherri Morini who are still operating this unique preschool. They both continue to cultivate a special place for working parents to leave their children with familiar faces every day. The preschool cares for infants, toddlers and preschoolers in a nurturing and educational environment, challenging their little minds in each age group. The families are able to build a strong and trusting bond because of the same management team and consistent staff members, creating a family atmosphere.
Creative Kids’ goal is to set up each child for success. The infrastructure of the building features touchless sinks that encourage both a lasting foundation of hygiene and self-reliance. Theme-based programs translate across rooms for all of the age groups. So now, imagine your child is at preschool and has a special guest in class: the local Fire Department here to teach about fire safety and prevention. Your child is cheering with friends around a shiny red firetruck and the firefighters encourage the kids to explore the vehicle: wheels, hoses, water tanks, sirens and honk the horn of course. When they return to class, the teachers and assistants use tangible lessons that relate to their special guest by using the building blocks of learning. Students express their comprehension through creative art by building their own version of a fire engine.
They also learn math, geometry and sequencing by identifying shapes and how they relate in this process. Four circles for the wheels, cylinders for water hoses, a rectangle for the storage tank and how it all goes together to create their own version of a fire truck or any other vehicle.
The learning at Creative Kids not only transfers from room to room but from generation to generation.
The heritage of Creative Kids and the families here run deep. Many students who attend now are second generation. This means a lot to Fran and Sherri because of the trust that they have earned throughout the years. Several current teachers are past students, showing the impact that the school left on their lives and inspiring them into a career in early childhood. Thanks to the personalized relationship the staff provides, families have faith in Creative Kids to make memories of enjoying the world while laying the foundation of early education. As a whole, Creative Kids believes in continued education for all - the students and staff alike. Teachers engage in professional development through accredited courses from leading industry institutions.
It takes a lot of experience and energy to run any business, especially a preschool between state regulations, policies and budgets. Fran and Sherri have developed a successful formula for their business; long standing staff and consistent policies for everyone who comes through their door to join the Creative Kids family.
Together, Fran and Sherri make a dynamic duo and recently have transitioned lead toddler teacher, Kate Chapdelaine of 15 years into a director position. This change gives them time to pursue personal interests. Fran and her husband, Marcel have a bucket List to see all of the baseball fields across the country (27 out of 30 so far) and is championing each one state by state. Sherri and her husband, Rich also share a love for traveling across the country in their camper to see all the national parks.
Many teachers are past students of the preschool who cherish the impact that the school left on their lives and strive to give the current community the same value.