OUR STORY

Neighborhood Kids began in Wellington, Florida, 44 years ago. Formerly known as The Little Place, the first campus opened in 1978, followed by a second Wellington campus opening in 1986. Area families gravitated to the schools because of the care and compassion for the children exhibited by both faculty and staff. Many of our parents who drop off and pick up their kids today were themselves once our former students.

Frank and Olivia Toral acquired the schools in 2019, but the inspiration for owning the schools began with a calling years earlier. After founding and leading a successful Florida law firm for 20 years, Frank, our founder, sensed a change of direction: “While I enjoyed practicing law, my heart’s direction began to change when I recognized God drawing our family toward a different purpose.” In 2016, the Torals stepped out in faith by closing the law firm, selling their family home, leaving close friends, and moving to Palm Beach County to start a new church. The following year, they launched Promise Life OUR STORYChapel, a non-denominational church in Wellington. The children’s ministry at Promise Life Kids became the inspiration for Neighborhood Kids. Regrettably, the church closed after two and a half years, just one week before Covid-19 would force the closure of so many other churches and businesses. However, the closing of its doors became the doorway to another new beginning.

Though the preschools were originally acquired in support of the church, by encouraging hundreds of young families and providing financial support, the Torals soon discovered that the preschools would become so much more. “We knew right away we had something special to build upon,” Frank explained. Families had a fierce loyalty to the school, so Frank and Olivia wanted to preserve the feel of the schools. But they also brought their own ideas to support the development. They immediately rebranded to Neighborhood Kids by implementing uniforms, a healthy meal program, a new curriculum, Brightwheel—a parent engagement app, a new website, and a commitment to improving parent-student experiences. Most significantly, they incorporated faith into the curriculum and a weekly chapel to give the kids the opportunity to sing songs and have fun. “At first, we didn’t know how parents would respond,” Olivia explained, “but they loved it!”

Today, Neighborhood Kids is thriving! The Torals have opened two additional locations and anticipate a fifth to open in Fall 2022. “What differentiates these schools,” the Torals clarify, “is that we provide families with a safe and happy learning environment together with a foundation of faith for our little ones.” As they look ahead, they are excited to offer the opportunity of owning Neighborhood Kids franchises to future franchise owners. God is faithful. Frank explains, “We want to give others the same opportunity that was given to us—to earn a good living and make an eternal difference in the lives of children and their families in neighborhoods across America. That’s a God-honoring purpose—a purpose you can give your life to!”