BEREA

Child Care Center

Located on Bagley Road with easy access to I-71, our Berea Child Care Center offers highly-rated, high-quality educational experiences for children.

This location provides many great opportunities for students. 

  • Five-Star Rating from the State of Ohio's "Step Up To Quality" Program
  • Preschool Scholarships 
  • Gym
  • Infant Care

Horizon Education Centers' school-aged programs provide transportation to city schools before and after school to help working parents.

We've been offering highly-rated, high-quality educational experiences for more than 40 years, including:

  • Toddler Care
  • Preschool Programs
  • Before and After-School Programs
  • Summer Camp

We develop language and literacy, as well as social, emotional, and physical skills.  Our staff members guide their students with various teaching methods that are based on recommendations from the State of Ohio, including:

  • State Standards
  • State Assessments
  • Individual Learning Plans

Horizon Education Centers focuses on kindergarten readiness and school-age enrichment, and we're a proud partner of Ohio Healthy Programs, which ensures that your children have healthy food options daily. 

Each of our centers has a toddler playground area, preschool playground area, and school-age playground area.  

We're also excited to collaborate with the Invest In Children Program, providing a high-quality preschool experience for the families and children we serve.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

location berea

Contact Us

555 W. Bagley Road
Berea, OH 44017
Step Up to Quality
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Learn More About the Berea Center.
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ACTIVITIES OFFERED

Homework Help

Homework Help

Arts, Media, Tech & Science

Arts, Media, Tech & Science

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten Readiness

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Yoga

Yoga

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Jenny Penttila

Center Director, Berea

EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo

 ABOUT Jenny has worked in early childhood education for 22 years. She believes that families are a child’s first teacher and that it takes a whole village working together to raise a child. 

Lisa Cottrell

Business Coordinator, Berea
EDUCATION: Lisa has studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Cincinnati and also at Cuyahoga Community College.


ABOUT: Lisa has worked in the early childhood field since 1986. She has worked as a teacher, head teacher, administrative assistant and now a business coordinator.  Helping families and children is her passion.

Berea’s teachers & faculty

Cristina Acosta Lead Toddler Teacher

EDUCATION Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cuyahoga Community College

ABOUT Ms. Cristina has 12 years of experience in the early childhood classroom. She has worked with all age groups, but her heart is with the toddlers. The excitement that the children have when they learn new things is what makes her job worthwhile. 

Cassandra French School Age Lead Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ashland University

ABOUT Ms. Cassy has worked with children for more than 30 years, and specifically toddlers for the last 10 years. She believes in nurturing children and guiding them to their full potential. She also believes that having fun is the best way to learn.

Denise Braziel Lead Toddler Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati

ABOUT Ms. Denise started her career in early childhood in 1994 when she owned and operated a family-based child care facility. She worked with preschoolers, infants, and now toddlers. She believes in doing what you love, and loving what you do. 

Kristen Nasinnyk Lead Infant Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Baldwin-Wallace College 

ABOUT Ms. Kristen has worked in childcare for over 18 years. She has worked with all age groups, but most of her time has been spent with infants. She loves to watch the infants learn, grow and develop into their own little personalities.  

Ana-Lee Sandru Lead Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Tri-C, Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati

ABOUT Ms. Ana-Lee has taught preschool for the last 30 years. She cares about educating the whole child socially, emotionally and cognitively in order for them to reach their highest potential. Ana-Lee is an advocate of early intervention, which she feels is the key to a child’s success in elementary school.

Denise Griffie Lead Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Arts. She is attending the University of Cincinnati for continuing Early Childhood Education

ABOUT Ms. Denise has worked with children for more than 20 years and has been a preschool teacher at the Berea Family Life Child Care Center for the past 13 years. She looks forward to supporting children in their learning at Horizon. 

Joan Fox Lead Infant Teacher

EDUCATION Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cuyahoga Community College 

ABOUT Previously, Ms. Joan was a teacher at Family Life Child Care Center. She enjoys providing a nurturing environment with opportunities for the children to grow and learn.

Patty Kaminski Lead Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University, and Early Literacy Mentoring Certificate

ABOUT Ms. Patty has taught preschoolers for 27 years. She creates a community of learners in her classroom where each student, parent and teacher is a valued contributing member. She believes in creating an environment that fosters a curiosity for the unknown, a desire to learn, and the confidence to explore. 

Meagan McAllister Lead Preschool Teacher Berea

EDUCATION Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Cleveland State University

ABOUT Ms. Meagan has worked in childcare for over 30 years, working mostly with children ages infant to kindergartener. She found her passion for teaching preschool children and has taught them for the past 14 years. 

Leah Townshend Preschool Lead Teacher

EDUCATION Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Rio Grande. 

ABOUT Ms. Townsend loves seeing the joy in her students' eyes when they discover new things.

Barb Handloser Assistant Lead Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education from Miami University

ABOUT After teaching first graders in the Strongsville City Schools for 10 years, Miss Barb put her career on hold to raise her two sons. Now she's back in the classroom helping her early-childhood students prepare for kindergarten. She says her secret to success is teaching her students self-regulation.

 

Shelly Delaney Preschool Lead Contracted Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from The Ohio State University, Bachelor's Plus Licensure Program in Early Childhood Education (PreK-3 grade) from Ashland University

ABOUT An educator since 2005, Miss Shelly's work focused mainly on Pre-K students before she joined Horizon and started working with our preschool students. She understands that every child is unique and works to build a trusting relationship with each of them. Miss Shelly has two grown sons and loves to be outside, exercising, and riding on motorcycles in her spare time.

Kristin Mulcahy Contracted Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Nonprofit Management from Kent State University 

ABOUT After graduating from college, Miss Kristin moved to Colorado to work with children in trauma. While there, she decided to shift her focus and work with kids as an educator. When she returned to Ohio, she became a preschool teacher. She loves yoga, cats, reading, and going on adventures with her son.

Cassidy Salmons Lead Toddler Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashland University

ABOUT Miss Cassidy is married with two children. She also has two dogs and is a TWIN! Her husband served in the U.S. Army and they were stationed in Germany. Traveling through Europe -- especially a train ride to Paris -- was one of the best experiences of their lives.

Danielle Lincicome Contracted Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lorain County Community College and currently attending Grand Canyon University to receive a Bachelor’s in Education. Career Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education from the Lorain County JVS. 

ABOUT Miss Dani has loved working with children since she was in middle school, helping as a tutor before focusing specifically on teaching preschool while attending JVS. She looks forward to doing it for many more years to come! Miss Dani believes in building relationships with the children, as well as their families. She loves to be outside and explore nature in her free time, and spend time with her family and friends. 

Kelly Power Contracted Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION  Bachelors Degree in Educational Studies, Western Governors University 

ABOUT Ms. Kelly has been in the childcare profession for 10 years. She chose early childhood education as a career to help children feel confident and prepared to start school and be as successful as they possibly can. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to concerts and traveling.

Sharon Link Contracted Preschool Teacher

EDUCATION  Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, Cuyahoga Community College; Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, Western Governors University

ABOUT Miss Sharon has been teaching young children for almost 10 years at various centers across Northeast Ohio. She began her career working with toddlers and moved to preschool, where she found a passion for enriching the lives of all young children in her care. She has been part of the Horizon team for four years and looks forward to many more years with the growing Horizon community!

Janna Kren Lead School-Age Teacher

EDUCATION Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (in progress), Grand Canyon University 

ABOUT Miss Janna strives to create an educational, safe, and fun environment for her students. She is happily married with three children and enjoys spending her free time with them.

Contact the Berea Education Center

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