Smiling Scarecrows Are Just Some of the Fun La Verne Kiddie Academy Has Plannned for October

From left, Terri Cherry, Debbie Lloyd and Anna Morris are pretty in pink and excited about all the upcoming activities at La Verne's favorite place for kids, the Kiddie Academy.

The word is definitely out on the new Kiddie Academy in La Verne. Whether it’s the first-rate facility, the passionate teachers, the nutritious homemade food, the free field trips, the in-house karate instruction or the constant stream of community and holiday events, parents are knocking the doors down to get their kids signed up.

Though owners Steven Paul and Paul Pieroth just cut the ribbon on their La Verne facility on Baseline Road in late July, attendance has been impressive.

“We’re almost filled up,” Steven said. “We have really good teachers who love what they do. We think we’ve built one of the best childcare facilities in the entire San Gabriel Valley.”

It’ll be hard to top their October for events and excitement.

Starting October 17, kids will begin bringing cans and packaged goods to donate to the La Verne-based food bank, Sowing Seeds for Life.”

On Oct. 22, the Kiddie Academy is swinging open its doors to the entire community for a free fall festival featuring games, booths and lots of other goodies from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. “Everything is absolutely free,”  said Academy Director Debbie Lloyd, sporting pink glasses and polo shirt in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

There will also be a pumpkin contest. “You don’t necessarily have to carve a pumpkin; it just has to be creative,” Debbie noted.

Then on the big day itself, Halloween (Oct. 31), the kids will parade in a “friendly” costume contest. Freddie Krueger need not apply.

The kids have been asked to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, which again will be donated to Sowing Seeds for Life.

“It’s a parade with a purpose,” Debbie said. “We try to make sure that everything we do here has a purpose. We want to make sure our kids are eating healthy, nutritious food, especially on Halloween.

That’s the real story behind the La Verne Kiddie Academy. Everything is hands on.

“If we’re going to serve blueberry muffins, we’ll make ‘em fresh, if we’re going to serve zucchini bread, we’re going to make it fresh,” Debbie added. “Everything we make is fresh, homemade and organic.”

In October, Kiddie Academy is also participating with Von’s in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Then it’s vroom, vroom in November as the Academy participates in the NHRA’s downtown La Verne Fan Fest.

What’s driving the La Verne Kiddie Academy’s early success?

“Every child that walks through our door is family,” Debbie added.

For more information about the La Verne Kiddie Academy and this month’s great activities, please call (909) 392-3333. Parents should also inquire about the school’s free registration through November, a $150 savings.