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AYER -- The building next to Saint Mary’s Church in Ayer is not just a
preschool or a daycare, but it seems to be a “home away from home,”
for the 53 children enrolled at Ayer Kiddie Depot (AKD).
Owner/Director Jonie Latimer-Brady has led the school, which was
established in 1984, since January of 2000. In AKD’s handbook it
states, “We are an organization comprised of professionals, some of us
are working parents, that are dedicated to the field of early childhood
education and the importance of spreading our kindness philosophy.”

AKD’s Web site identifies themselves as “leaders in kindness
education.” Latimer-Brady said, “I have always believed that it was
crucial for children to develop social skills at this level. If you are kind
and can interact positively with others, you will be successful in your
life.”

Along with developing pro-social skills, AKD references the
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks when creating their stimulating
lessons. Veteran preschool teacher and AKD parent of three, Tara
Bozek, has been with AKD for 14 years and is in charge of designing all
of the preschool curriculum.

”I work very hard to help each child grow and reach their full potential,”
Bozek said. Due to the school’s involvement with Ayer’s Community
Partnership Center (CPC), and their drive to be the best school they
can be, AKD made a decision over five years ago to start working on
the lengthy process of becoming an accredited school by the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The CPC
provided guidance by assigning them an advisor to help them through
the process, and by purchasing materials for the school and
playground that were needed.

NAEYC’s accreditation process is voluntary and it sets quality schools
apart from the rest. The first part of the process involves a lengthy self-
study that asks administrators, teachers and parents to evaluate the
school. AKD then took that information, made some changes (mostly
building related), and applied for accreditation. A representative from
NAEYC visited the school to make sure that it was up to the high
standards the association looks for when deciding whether or not to
accredit a center, and they were awarded the honor in July of 2005.

”We were so happy that NAEYC acknowledged our hard work in
creating a positive, caring environment for children,” Latimer-Brady
said. “The parents were also wonderful in this process and we are
thankful for them.” Apparently, the feeling is mutual.

AKD parent Jackie Butler said, “I feel fortunate to have found AKD. I
know that my son, Frank, is in a safe, stimulating environment, but
equally important, he is with teachers who truly love him for the
individual he is. AKD is truly a unique little school.”

It seems that the teachers at AKD are also proud and happy with their
school and Latimer-Brady. “Jonie is such a wonderful woman. She
cares so much about each and every teacher, family, and child here --
she wants us all to be the best that we can be,” Bozek said.

It is for this reason that Latimer-Brady has encouraged her staff to take
advantage of a grant through the government called, “Advancing the
Field.” Through this grant, teachers in NAEYC accredited centers can
pursue their degree, with a full scholarship, at Anna Maria College.
Currently, there are five members of the staff enrolled in this program.

Besides being an educationally and socially exceptional school, AKD
also has other offerings. Children can take karate classes downstairs at
the Rising Star East Academy, they can partake in the “Gym”iny
Crickets program taught by Miss Maria from Maria’s School of Dance,
and they can experience a monthly science program taught by Steve
Lechner, former education director of the Children’s and Science
Discovery Museums in Acton.

The infant teachers use sign language with the babies to increase their
communicative abilities, and parents can take advantage of yoga
classes taught by Dianne Tousignant and Weight Watchers groups as
well.

When asked what she would want people to know about her and AKD,
Latimer-Brady said, “I would like them to know that we all really care
about supporting and helping parents raise their children and that
myself, and my teachers, genuinely love being in the presence of
children.”