On June 7th, Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care proudly opened the doors of its 350th franchised location in Lancaster, PA, signaling another significant milestone in the company’s 45-year journey from its very first academy. Owned and operated by Lancaster natives and first-time entrepreneurs Cassie and Austin Fenerty, Kiddie Academy of Lancaster is set to serve up to 160 local children in a brand-new facility that blends community spirit with state-of-the-art education.
“It’s an honor to celebrate the 350th Academy opening in Lancaster,” said Casey Miller, third-generation CEO of Kiddie Academy. “With every new Academy that’s established, we’re building on the mission my grandparents envisioned when they founded Kiddie Academy in 1981.”
Filling Community Needs, Inspiring Young Minds
Cassie Fenerty, owner of the Lancaster franchise, knows firsthand the challenges families face when seeking reliable child care. After placing her own two young children on waitlists for nearly a year, Fenerty realized there was a genuine gap in high-quality educational child care locally. Her goal was clear: to provide not only child care but a nurturing environment that supports children academically, socially, and emotionally.
“We chose to open Kiddie Academy of Lancaster because we saw a true need for child care that nurtures the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally,” Fenerty stated. “We’re not just a place for children to be cared for; we’re a place where they are known, challenged, and celebrated.”
The Lancaster facility, conveniently located at 251 South Centerville Road, boasts 11 classrooms and a playground thoughtfully designed to reflect the local farming community with imaginative structures like a barn and farmer’s market. This welcoming space employs 25 dedicated educators who will foster learning and growth for up to 160 children.
Four Decades of Educational Excellence
Since opening its first location in 1981, Kiddie Academy has continuously grown, now reaching 350 locations across 40 states and Washington, D.C. The company’s proprietary Life Essentials® Curriculum, combined with its commitment to quality, community engagement, and philanthropic endeavors like its support for Family Promise, underpins its reputation as a leader in educational child care.
Today, the Kiddie Academy system serves more than 38,000 children nationwide, continuing its mission to empower entrepreneurs who are passionate about early childhood development.
