Daycare & Preschool in Cherry Hill, NJ

Hello, and thank you for your interest in Lightbridge Academy of Cherry Hill! We are a proud New Jersey-based childcare franchise operated by co-owners Kal Patel and Peter Patel.

At Lightbridge Academy of Cherry Hill, learning begins with love, laughter, and a strong foundation for lifelong success. Our academy is more than just a childcare center — it’s a nurturing community where children grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a safe, engaging environment.

My name is Rachel Wayda, and I am the Director at the Lightbridge Academy of Cherry Hill. I have over 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, with more than 4 of those years in an administrative role. I have an associate's degree in Elementary Education, and a bachelor's degree in business & general management. I am passionate about children and dedicated to supporting teachers in creating safe, nurturing environments where children feel valued, confident, and inspired to thrive. I look forward to welcoming your family into our Lightbridge Academy Circle of Care!


The Lightbridge Academy Circle of Care is more than just a philosophy and our core values are more than just a poster on the wall. They are built on a foundation of family values. You can trust that the Lightbridge Academy staff strives to be living examples of these every day. Our center offers programs for children ages 6 weeks through Pre-K. Families enjoy state-of-the-art technology including a Biometric Fingerprint Entry, Interactive Whiteboards, ParentView® Internet Monitoring, and Tadpoles; our E-Communication system. These tools all help us reach our goal of keeping parents connected to our center and their child. Our Seedling curriculum will create a solid foundation for a life-long love of learning. It is designed to help infants, toddlers, and preschool children meet key developmental milestones. We also incorporate American Sign Language into our daily routines, Musical Beginnings fosters music appreciation in even our youngest learners, Interactive Whiteboard Technology makes learning come alive in our Pre-K classrooms and throw in our super fun extracurricular activities‚ that is what makes learning at Lightbridge Academy an extraordinary experience. Hope to meet you soon!