about our school

The 1st Friends Experience

1st Friends is Your 2nd Home!

1st Friends Learning Academy offers personalized care for your children. Our curriculum is custom developed to ensure that our students are learning as they grow. The 1st Friends learning and play space has been uniquely designed for each age group, with programs for infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.

Locally owned and operated, you will find 1st Friends to have the feel of ‘home care’ but with the security that comes from regulations and oversight of a licensed care center. Your child will feel at home at 1st Friends. The 1st Friends family values the partnership we have with parents, and keeps an open line of communication at all times. We believe that learning comes from play and that our children need to feel loved when they are away from home. Your child will receive the utmost care in the hands of 1st Friends Learning Academy.

Liz Coey

“Mrs. C” has dedicated over 30+ years to Early Childcare Education. Formerly the director of a local Brunswick Child Care center, Liz graduated from Cuyahoga Community College and studied Speech-Language pathology at Cleveland State University. Liz has lived in Medina County since 1988, and see’s her 1st Friends Kiddos as part of her family. She is committed to giving “her” families a better experience beyond industry standards. Home Care in feel with the checks and balances of quality licensed child care.

Sandra Murphy

Sandra has over 21 year’s experience working in childcare, primarily with preschoolers. Having worked together for many years, Sandra and Liz share a common philosophy when it comes to delivering exceptional child care services. In addition to working in child care facilities, Sandra was a former program director of Summer Camps for the Brunswick Recreation center, and a tutor at Huntington Learning Center. Sandra hold a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cleveland State University, and is the mother of two children.

State of Ohio Accredited Programs

1st Friends Learning Academy is an accredited "Step Up To Quality" childhood education and childcare facility.

Step Up To Quality is a five–star quality rating and improvement system administered by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.