From the Families: How Neighborhood Kids Impacts the Lives of Those in Its Communities

For many parents, selecting an early education solution can be intimidating. In the formative years, it’s important that children receive key skills and values that will guide the remainder of their lives. This is where Neighborhood Kids, the Florida faith-based early childhood education concept with over four decades of experience, enters the equation.

“I selected Neighborhood Kids because of the faith-based curriculum that they have. I think that faith is a huge part to instill into your children, and there’s no starting too soon,” explained Mr. Ward, a Neighborhood Kids parent. “You want the best for your child, just like everyone else, so you have to start them young.”

Beyond the faith-based nature of the centers, the Wards also express satisfaction with the more technical, developmental aspects of the childcare. Mrs. Ward, notes that dropping her son off at their Neighborhood Kids location feels like dropping him off with family. While everyone is comfortable, she also observes the children engaging in developmentally-appropriate learning and play — something that she is hyper-aware of as a speech therapist.

The atmosphere that exists within Neighborhood Kids locations has been developed over decades of operations, community engagement and a commitment to families’ needs. From the executive leadership to in-center employees, the mission is an incredibly personal one.

Frank Toral, CEO of Neighborhood Kids, knows this all too well. After over 20 years of successful law practice, he began to feel a shift.

“Maybe God is calling you to a greater purpose. That’s exactly what we experienced a few years ago,” Toral said. “After practicing law for more than 20 years, my heart began to change; I wanted to do something that had a greater purpose.”

After making the transition out of the legal field, the Toral family invested in a church. Later on, they made the decision to purchase Neighborhood Kids and integrated faith-based learning about a year and a half later. Now, there are four successful campuses in Greenbriar, Wellington Trace, Royal Blam Beach and Boynton Beach, and a fifth is set to open in Lakewood toward the end of this year.

Now, as the concept continues to grow, Toral says there is an intentional commitment to transform our culture. Through helping kids understand who they are, that they were created on purpose and for a purpose, and that God has a destiny for them, Neighborhood Kids provides a God-honoring early education experience in a safe, happy learning environment.

Through this mission, Neighborhood Kids connects with its families, churches and other community members around a common interest.

“The connection our church has with Neighborhood Kids is one of our best ministry partnerships! The founders of Neighborhood Kids, Frank and Olivia Toral, love the children and want each child to reach their God-given potential,” explained Pastor Dudley Hodges of Boynton Beach Community Church. “Neighborhood Kids works with parents to teach children values that prepare them for life as they develop a love for learning and a heart for Jesus. We are very thankful for Neighborhood Kids, which has connected families in the community to our church and given us the opportunity to share our hope with them.”