The Learning Experience childcare centers are expanding in Connecticut, with six more independently-owned franchise locations expected to open by the middle of next year.
The chain currently has four locations operating in the state, including in New Haven on Martin Luther King Boulevard, and in Cromwell, Newtown and Wethersfield.
The new locations will be in Avon, Danbury, Fairfield, Newington, South Windsor and Wilton.
The centers provide care, enrichment and educational programming for children from six weeks through six years old.
When determining target markets for expansion, the business’ real estate team reviews and analyzes factors such as need and influx of young families, according to the company.
Cassandra Burkhardt, regional manager at The Learning Experience, said it does groundwork to set up prospective franchisees for success, and provides training and ongoing operational support.
“Our real estate team pinpoints the best location and works with developers to build, equip and set up the center,” Burkhardt said.
The childcare centers will be new 10,000-square-foot free-standing buildings, with an outdoor playground of roughly 5,000 square feet. Each center is expected to employ about 30 staff members and certified teachers, who will serve about 180 children.
The Learning Experience, which is headquartered in Florida and has more than 270 locations, plans to open more than 100 new childcare centers around the country between 2021 and 2022. Last year, it opened 40 new locations across the nation, and its first international one in the United Kingdom.
The new Connecticut locations, addresses and anticipated opening times include:
South Windsor: 10 Sedona Circle (Summer 2021)
Fairfield: 1375 Kings Hwy. (Fall 2021)
Newington: 395 Willard Ave. (Winter 2021)
Wilton: 213 Danbury Rd. (Spring 2022)
Avon: 16 Ensign Dr. (Summer 2022)
Danbury: 36 Newtown Rd. (Summer 2022)
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
