Preschool & Daycare in Cranford, NJ

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Welcome to our Cranford, NJ educational child care center

Its Open House! We welcome all families to schedule a tour with us and discover why we are the best child care option for you! As The Solution for Working Families, we are here to support you as an extension of your very own family and a true partner in your child’s early education and development. We are currently enrolling for our Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-K programs.

Cranford, NJ highlights

  • Child safety features
  • All staff CPR/first aid certified
  • Secure center
  • Certified teachers
  • Proprietary curriculum

Cranford, NJ virtual tour

A message from us

Welcome to Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ!

Hello! My name is Liz Henao and I am the Center Director of our Cranford location. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Education. I have been with Lightbridge Academy since 2009 and have been working with Early Childhood Education for over 16 years! My experience began with babysitting in high school for many families. My administrative experience began in 2018, in which I was able to focus on coaching and mentoring. I’m a mommy to a beautiful baby girl. I am passionate about spending time with family, traveling and anything Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Our Assistant Director, Mariann Finistrella has been with Lightbridge Academy since 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and has been working in Early Childhood Education for over 13 years. She began her administrative career in 2020. She has been married for 31 years and has three children, Joe, Mathew and Marisa. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. During the holidays her favorite past time is to watch Hallmark Christmas movies.

Our Seedlings curriculum focuses on the whole child, incorporating areas such as writing (Handwriting Without Tears), language and literacy, social and emotional development, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and utilizing the outdoor learning environment for collaborative learning and play. Our center also offers 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 to their child throughout the day. We strive to meet the needs of our working families as well as our stay-at-home moms/dads who are looking for a program that will offer early education and socialization for their children on a part time basis. In order to do so, we offer our families a flexibility in programming, ranging from 2, 3 or 5 days per week for children ages 6 weeks through Preschool/Pre-K. We look forward to meeting you and having you join our family!

Sincerely,

Liz Henao
Center Director

Explore our Cranford, NJ programs

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*Program ages may vary by location based on state regulations and each child's individual needs.

Here when you need us most

When your schedule changes, you can rely on Lightbridge Academy. Our Cranford, NJ center offers:

Focused on what families need

Ready to step into kindergarten

Our proprietary Seedlings® curriculum builds skills, confidence, and curiosity, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Flexibility that fits your life

From back-up care to extended pickup hours, our services are designed to make busy weeks feel easier.

Peace of mind, every single day

From secure entry to live video streaming, you’ll know your child is safe, happy, and thriving when you can’t be there.

Support for every step

Our Circle of Care® includes parents, children, teachers, and the community, surrounding your child with kindness and encouragement.

Hear from our parents

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    The teachers genuinely know and care about my kids. That level of attention gives me so much peace of mind. They have a great balance of learning and play, and I’ve seen so much growth in their communication and skills.

    Annmarie R.

    Bergenfield, New Jersey

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    From the moment we walked in for our tour, we knew this was the right fit. The staff is warm, the facility is beautiful, and the communication with parents is outstanding.

    Amanda Rodriguez

    Parent

    Easton, PA

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    We switched to Lightbridge Academy last year and it was the best decision we made for our family. The curriculum is engaging and my son looks forward to going every morning.

    Michael Chen

    Parent

    Bethlehem, PA

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    The teachers at Lightbridge are incredible. My daughter has thrived in their care and I feel completely at ease knowing she is in such capable and loving hands every day.

    Sarah Johnson

    Parent

    Allentown, PA

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    The activities are engaging and the teachers love interacting with the kids. So happy we found Lightbridge Academy!

    Abby K.

    Cypress, New York

  • 5 out of 5 stars

    The program from infant to 2.5 years has been amazing for my child's development. He is thriving in the environment socially, emotionally, and educationally.

    Teresa S.

    Fanwood, New Jersey

Upcoming events in Cranford, NJ

June 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions for Cranford, NJ

  • What makes Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ different than a daycare?

    Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ is an early childhood education center, offering:

    • Curriculum meets accreditation standards and includes enrichment programs beyond basic daycare
    • First aid and CPR certified educators who blend structured and child-led learning
    • Gold standard for health and safety protocols delivered as part of the Lightbridge Promise
    • Parent connection tools like ParentView® internet monitoring and the Lightbridge Journey App
    • An open-door policy for family communication and involvement
  • What age groups and programs does the Cranford, NJ location offer?

    Our Cranford, NJ location provides programs for children six weeks through school age, designed to support learning, growth, and fun at every stage:

    • Infant Program (6 weeks–12 months): Focuses on nurturing care, sensory exploration, and early learning
    • Toddler Program (1–2 years): Encourages independence, language development, and motor skills through hands-on activities
    • Preschool Program (2–3 years): Builds social, emotional, and early learning skills in a play-based and structured environment
    • Pre-K Program (4–5 years): Prepares children for kindergarten with foundational academics, critical thinking, and self-confidence
    • Summer Camp (School-Age Children): Encourages fun, enriching activities during school breaks, including STREAM projects, sports, and field trips
    • Back-up Care: Flexible short-term care available for school-age children or families needing occasional coverage, subject to space availability
  • What curriculum do you use to support my child’s development?

    Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ uses the proprietary Seedlings® Early Childhood Education Curriculum which nurtures the whole child through play, exploration, and discovery. Meeting accreditation standards, the program integrates STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art & Math) learning and social-emotional development to prepare children for lifelong success.

  • How do you keep children safe and healthy each day?

    Health and safety are part of the Lightbridge Promise®, our gold standard in the industry for cleanliness, security and peace of mind. Our child care center features:

    • Facial recognition entry systems and monitored environments
    • Center-wide air purification and filtration systems
    • Trained staff certified in CPR, First Aid, and emergency preparedness
    • Enhanced health and safety protocols with strict sanitization and wellness policies
  • How much does tuition cost at Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ?

    Tuition varies and is based on several factors, such as your child’s age, meal options selected, extracurricular participation, and more. Please contact us directly for complete pricing information.