CHILDREN LEARN, PLAY AT MAUD BOOTH.

Byline: ALEJANDRO GUZMAN Valley News Writer

Maud Booth Family Center in North Hollywood has been providing busy parents and low-income families with child services and placing an emphasis on fun for more than 40 years.

As part of the Volunteers of America nonprofit organization, Maud Booth charges fees based on a family's income. If a family cannot afford to pay anything, then services are free.

Named after one of the founders of Volunteers of America, Maud Booth was designated to serve its current community because it was near low- income housing, said Veronica Lara, chief operating officer.

Lara said the program serves about 200 kids daily and has a staff of 20-30 people, including managers.

Some of the center's services include the federal Head Start preschool program and general child care.

Parent Arnold Moncivais said his two sons, who are now 13 and 15, both went through the child care program.

``At the beginning, we assumed it was only child care,'' Moncivais said. ``But later, we found it was much more.''

He said he started seeing the staff less as nannies and more as members of the family who take roles such as aunts and uncles.

Moncivais said one of the biggest advantages of having kids in the program is they learn to get along in group situations and are exposed to different races. As a result, he said his kids learned to communicate better and co-exist with other children.

Maria Aguilar said her 3-year-old especially benefits from the Head Start program. Instead of staying home in front of the TV, her son is learning social skills and is being introduced to colors and letters.

Site Supervisor Edie Smith has been working at Maud Booth for 22 years. She started off as a substitute teacher after a friend had told her about the program.

Smith said what separates Maud Booth from any other program is its informality. Children have culture shock when they first come in and hear adults being called by their first names. Also, kids do not have to raise their hands to speak.

Oscar Santos, assistant director, said the program gives children more freedom than most programs.

``Kids aren't sitting on desks looking at the teacher,'' Santos said. ``We have learning centers where kids can move around.''

He said the program offers a homelike environment in which children are provided meals and can interact with other kids and adults when not at school or home.

Santos described the program as a ``link between the regular school and parents.''

Some children from Fair Avenue Elementary, which is just across the street from the center, are part of the after-school child care program.

He said children are provided with whatever materials they need for homework, get tutoring and participate in sports and other activities.

Santos described a day at Maud Booth: Kids come in and put away their possessions in lockers before joining the rest of the group in a circle. In the circle, the teacher talks to them about their day while a group prepares snacks. After snacks, everyone works on their homework.

He said a nice thing for the kids is they have strong friendships at the center. During the socializing time they are given, kids get a chance to talk about issues that affect their lives.

Santos said although guidance is always there from the teachers, if kids don't need it, they are allowed to be on their own. Some spend time playing with Legos, some girls even have time to do their hair.

``The kids own the place,'' Santos said. ``They're here with us more than with their parents.''

Santos said he really enjoys seeing his former pupils all grown up.

Once a cop tailed him for a couple blocks. Santos said he was starting to get nervous when the officer pulled up next to him and shouted ``Hey Oscar, say hi to Edie.'' To his relief, it was one of his former students.

Some former students currently work at the center side by side with their old teachers.

Santos said he feels successful knowing his kids have graduated from schools like California State University, Northridge, or are working hard and being responsible.

Smith said that even though the best thing for the children is to be with their parents, society does not allow it.

She said if it is not possible for kids to be with their moms and dads, Maud Booth is the second best option.

Maud Booth Family Center currently has space and is recruiting for the Head Start program. The center is located on 11243 Kittridge Avenue in North Hollywood. For more information, call [phone].

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Jimmy Galgado goes down the slide at the Maud Booth Family center in North Hollywood.