Creative Early Learning Center

In 1962, our founder, Jean Pedone, opened the doors of a co-op preschool program in a church in Garfield Heights, Ohio. She was a pioneer and avid storyteller, whose passion was working with and educating children. Jean started this preschool program with just a few students. Who could have imagined this program would blossom into three state-of-the-art Creative Early Learning Centers run by the same caring and loving family.

Jean was a risk-taker. When she realized there were no quality preschool programs in the community, she set to work to make a difference and started a program of her own. Jean made sure her children had exposure to the arts, including drama, music, dance, and storytelling. These crucial components to teaching children have carried through until today and can be found in throughout Creative's comprehensive curriculum.

As her program grew, so did the demand for day care for all ages of children.  Jean listened; and with the help her daughter, Debbie, they opened one of the first child development centers in Northeast Ohio and the Creative Early Learning Center was established.

Today, Jean’s family, including children Tom and Debbie along with grandchildren Brian and Ashley, work closely together to lead teams of knowledgeable teachers in continuing to educate the youth by delivering on Jean’s original philosophies: to provide age-appropriate activities that promote emotional, intellectual, social, and physical growth in child development.

Children at Creative Early Learning Center are given many opportunities to explore their environment, manipulate objects, creatively use materials, and have lots and lots of fun! There are now three “Step Up To Quality” Creative Early Learning Center child development and preschool centers serving various communities in Northeast Ohio. We look forward to continuing our work as your local, family-owned childcare and preschool specialists.

Jean’s Creative legacy continues with each passing year as more children and families benefit from the Creative Difference offered by Creative Early Learning Center Child Care & Preschool. In fact, a member of the fourth generation of our family has recently joined on this path and is currently enrolled in our Cuddle Bugs Toddler program.