Ready Kids. Empowered Families. Connected Communities.

Together, we are OberlinKids!

Discover free resources, family events, personalized support, and trusted community connections that help your child grow, learn, and thrive from birth through kindergarten.

Oberlin's Go-To for All Things Early Childhood

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Ready Kids. Empowered Families. Connected Communities.

Complete your child’s On Track for Kindergarten Check-In at least once a year to be an active OberlinKids Family Partner and access exclusive family resources and special opportunities throughout the year.

It's that simple. In less than 20 minutes a year, you can help your child stay On Track for Kindergarten while connecting with your community, trusted resources, and family-friendly events.

As an OberlinKids Family Partner, You'll Get FREE

  • Annual On Track for Kindergarten Check-Ins
    Celebrate your child's growth, track developmental milestones, and receive personalized recommendations to support learning and development from birth to kindergarten.

  • Literacy & Learning Kits
    Each kit is thoughtfully assembled with books, hands-on activities, and family resources to encourage learning through play.

  • Family-Friendly Events & Playgroups
    Join free playgroups, community events, family learning sessions, and fun where families learn, play, and socialize with others from our community.

  • Fun Learning Activities at Home
    Receive age-appropriate activity ideas, crafts, and everyday ideas to build early literacy, math, social-emotional, and school-readiness skills with your child while you play.

  • Personalized Support & Trusted Resources
    Whether you're looking for childcare, preschool, services, healthcare, parenting support, or community resources, we're here to help connect your family.

  • Kindergarten Readiness Programs
    Access tips, tools, and activities that help your child build the confidence and skills needed for a successful start to school.

  • Parent Workshops & Family Learning
    Participate in family-friendly workshops, guest speakers, and special events focused on child development, parenting support, health, behavior, readiness, and more.

  • Family Partner Perks
    Receive priority registration to special events, giveaways, incentives, and exclusive opportunities offered throughout the year.

  • Updates & Event Reminders
    Stay connected with family activities, community events, local resources, and important opportunities-all in one place.

  • A Caring Community
    Become part of a network of families, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners working together to help every child thrive.

Why Families Love OberlinKids

✔ It's FREE
Everything OberlinKids offers is free for eligible families, thanks to generous grants and donations.

✔ It only takes about 20 minutes each year
Complete your child's annual On Track for Kindergarten Check-In to celebrate learning, growth, and milestones along the way.

✔ It's personalized and confidential
Your family's information is always kept confidential and is used only to provide personalized resources, recommendations, and support tailored to your child's unique needs and development.

✔ It's local
Everything is designed specifically for families in the Oberlin City School District community.

✔ We're with you every step of the way
From your baby's first milestones to the first day of kindergarten, OberlinKids is here to support your family with whatever you need. Reach out anytime.

Learn More about On Track for Kindergarten

Our Signature Programs

  • OberlinKids Community Classroom Play Space

    Our free play space lets OberlinKids families learn, play, and connect. Whether you plan to meet friends for a playdate, drop in to play on your own, or join a scheduled playgroup, you and your family can enjoy all of our fun learning areas and activities.

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  • On Track for Kindergarten School Readiness Program

    A free, quick, and convenient way to track your child’s growth, learning, and development from birth to kindergarten.

    Get personalized results, helpful activities, and resources to support your child’s development and help them start school healthy and ready to learn!

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  • Literacy & Learning Kindergarten Readiness Kits

    OberlinKids distributes FREE Literacy & Learning Kits throughout the year, filled with thoughtfully selected books, activities, and materials that help families learn, play, and explore key readiness and literacy skills together.

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  • Family-Friendly Community Events

    Fun, family-friendly opportunities to connect, play, learn, and grow together. Meet other families, discover helpful resources, and get practical tips and information you can use every day.

    Join us at our annual signature events, pop-ups, playgroups, and other community-building activities, as well as local and partner events throughout the year.

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  • Lorain County Imagination Library

    OberlinKids has been a proud member of the Lorain County Imagination Library Coalition since 2018.

    Build your child’s home library and grow their love of reading, thanks to Dolly Parton’s vision for getting more books into the hands of more children. Children get free books mailed directly to their home every month until their 5th birthday, thanks to generous Lorain County donors!

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Vonda’s Story

The Power of Community Support

When Vonda became the unexpected guardian of her three young nieces due to neglect in their home, she was unprepared but determined to keep them out of foster care. The girls faced developmental delays and health issues. A chance meeting with Jennifer Keathley from OberlinKids at a community Easter event led to life-changing support. Through developmental screenings, preschool placement, and continuous guidance, OberlinKids helped Vonda navigate her new role. This story highlights how strong community partnerships, including support from United Way and 15 local organizations, can transform lives when families face crisis. Together, we Live United.

What People Are Saying

  • “OberlinKids is a phenomenal asset to the Oberlin community. This organization is dedicated to helping families with young children thrive and really consider the whole child.”

  • “...Thank you for the time you spent with me going over Jack’s screening information. Jack is loving his new books... 🙂 …I’m excited because Jack is really beginning to understand the proper use of pronouns and says ‘me’ or ‘I’ when he speaks about himself or points to himself in a picture.”

  • "...I know you are constantly trying to impress early reading success on the community, and I just wanted you to know that it's working in our house. ...Cooper is in 3rd grade this year. He is a voracious and enthusiastic reader. ... [He] grabbed a copy of Moby Dick and ploughed through it in less than 48 hours..."

  • “OberlinKids is one of the things I am most grateful for in this community. ... Some of our favorite memories around town are at the Community Classroom, Second Saturdays events, and library play dates that wound up connecting us to ‘our village’. We are so lucky to have these supports for our little ones and their families!”

  • “We did our first play date in Oberlin today with our twins. [The Community Classroom is] such a beautiful play space with so many sensory toys and educational pieces. Everyone was welcoming to our family and nice laid back !🥰🥰”

  • “OberlinKids has been amazing with my ever changing family! With every bonus kiddo that is welcomed into my home we are able to take the ASQ screenings and see where they place so it can be shared with Early Intervention and their doctors to help get them on track. The programs for the community are always a fun time for my children and myself as well! We love this organization for all they do past, present and future for the community.”

  • "We appreciate the opportunities that OberlinKids offers to bring children and parents in the community together. They have led to many wonderful friendships and support. Thank you for all you do!"

  • “Being in the Community Classroom was a wonderful experience! Everything your child loves is there and it was decorated beautifully. ... It couldn’t have been a better place to learn and feel relaxed while being with your little one. It was so fun to observe and watch Adalyn explore through play!”

  • “Adalyn and Sandy had a great time [at the Community Classroom]. I asked for any feedback ... and [Sandy] said, ‘I have none, it was an absolutely wonderful experience for Adalyn!’ ...when they got to the car to leave, Adalyn said to her, ‘Thank you, grandma.' They had a blast.”

  • “I visited the Community Classroom with all 3 of mine last Monday, and it was so great! Everyone had a good time, even Sophia, who at first declared she was too old for baby stuff, haha. She loved the writing desk. Apollo and Olivia sat with play dough for a long time, and everyone had a turn painting. I'm so happy that we finally got a chance to check it out, and we will be back many times, especially after school starts back up.”

  • “[The Community Classroom] is a safe space where I know my kids can just be kids — play and be curious, without the critical eyes of other patrons or employees. I like running into other parents and getting to know them or picking up where we left off in prior conversation. I also love the financial accessibility as it’s one of the few places you can go with your kids and just exist for free.”

  • “OberlinKids is such an amazing resource. Both as a first time mom and now as a mom of 2, I can always count on Ms. Jenn and the group for support and ideas.”

  • “I’m so happy to know that OberlinKids is here to support and encourage families in raising happy, healthy children who are connected to their community.”

  • “I love everything you do! We have a blast at your summer events outside! They're so creative and our kids love them!”

Nurturing Children. Empowering Caregivers. Connecting Communities.

OberlinKids is powered by United Way of Greater Lorain County.