Lightbridge Academy to Open its First Location in Florida, Bringing Its Circle of Care to Port St. Lucie
Lightbridge Academy to Open its First Location in Florida, Bringing Its Circle of Care to Port St. Lucie
Lightbridge Academy, a prominent early childhood education and child care provider, is set to open its inaugural center in Florida, located at 8565 Commerce Centre Drive, Port St. Lucie, with plans to commence operations later this year.
The driving force behind this new center is Al Ferrari, a local entrepreneur with a 25-year background in the foodservice industry. Transitioning from roles with brands like Sysco and Gordon Food Service, Ferrari, along with his sons Tommy and Eric Ferrari, is venturing into educational child care. Ferrari’s family-centric approach stems from his active involvement in his sons’ activities, local church, and youth ministry.
Ferrari’s decision to partner with Lightbridge Academy was influenced by the brand’s Circle of Care philosophy, which emphasizes comprehensive care for children and their families. Unique offerings like in-classroom cameras, the eCommunication app, extended operational hours, facial recognition entry systems, and occasional babysitting services distinguished Lightbridge Academy from other franchises.
Port St. Lucie’s demographic shift towards young working families positions it as an ideal market for Lightbridge Academy. Ferrari envisions the center as a beacon of high-quality child care that also supports working parents.
While this marks Lightbridge Academy’s first foray into Florida, the brand is eyeing further expansion in high-demand areas, including Tampa and Orlando.
Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy, expressed enthusiasm about the brand’s Florida debut and praised the Ferrari family’s commitment to the Circle of Care philosophy.
Lightbridge Academy, celebrating its 25th anniversary, boasts over 140 centers either operational or in development across multiple states. The brand’s accolades include placements on the Inc. 5000 ranking, Franchise Times Top 200+ awards, and Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Customer Service.