From one mother’s vision to a thriving community of schools, Bloom Academy has blossomed across Southwest Florida with a commitment to nurturing children and supporting families.
Bloom Academy started with a simple question from our founder, Casey Kennedy: “Where will my son go to school?” Driven by a desire to create a place that would meet the needs of modern parents, Casey opened the doors to Bloom Academy in 2012. Today, that mission has blossomed into multiple locations across Southwest Florida, each grounded in values of loyalty, trust, and a commitment to helping children thrive.
Each Bloom Academy location is a testament to our mission of providing high-quality, nurturing early education. Follow our journey from a single location to becoming a leader in early childhood education in Southwest Florida, with more expansion on the horizon.
Where It All Began
Bloom Academy opened its first location in April 2012 as Sprout Academy of Learning. Situated in a small church-owned building, founder Casey Kennedy started the school to meet her own childcare needs after the birth of her son, Banks.
With a licensed capacity of 72 students, the school filled quickly and had a waitlist within six months. Casey’s focus on personalized care and outstanding customer service helped lay the foundation for Bloom’s future success.
First VPK Graduates
Bloom celebrated its first VPK-preschool graduation, with 15 students proudly completing their preschool journey.
Expanding the Bloom Family
In response to community demand, Bloom acquired a second location in Port Charlotte, Florida, in April 2014. The school, previously known as The Formative Years, underwent renovations and rebranding, officially becoming Bloom Academy Deep Creek.
The original Punta Gorda school was renamed Bloom Academy Punta Gorda, marking a major step in Bloom’s growth.
Excellence Recognized
Bloom achieved Apple Accreditation and the prestigious Gold Seal Designation from the State, cementing its reputation for high-quality early education.
A New Home for Growth
In January 2018, Bloom’s Punta Gorda location moved into a custom-built, 11,000-square-foot facility with a capacity of 204 students.
The new space allowed for greater growth and enhanced learning environments. Bloom also introduced a school bus to expand transportation options for students.
New Partnerships, New Milestones
In January 2019, Bloom opened its new location at Babcock Ranch, thanks to a partnership with Kitson and Partners. The Founder’s Square location started with a capacity of ~100 students.
By year’s end, Bloom had celebrated 500 VPK graduates.
Two New Schools, More Possibilities
In celebration of Bloom’s 10-year anniversary, the organization opened two new locations—Harborside and East Town—during the summer of 2022.
Both schools underwent brief renovations before reopening to serve the community’s growing childcare needs. These smaller-capacity locations reflect Bloom’s continued growth and adaptability.
Strengthening Operations
In March, Bloom introduced Bloom Academy Corporate, a management company designed to oversee and optimize operations across all locations.
This year also marked a key achievement: 1,000 VPK graduates.
Bigger, Greener, and Bolder
August 2024 saw the grand opening of Bloom’s largest location yet—Cypress Commons, a 300+ student facility in Babcock Ranch. This LEED Certified, fully solar-powered building features 18 classrooms and three playgrounds.
Additionally, Bloom launched its franchise offering, Bloom Franchising, and introduced the Beautiful Thinkers Curriculum, focused on creativity and foundational learning.
Growth in Naples
Bloom’s commitment to providing exceptional childcare and education continues with the opening of a new location—Bloom Academy Seagate—in Naples, scheduled for 2025-2026.
What began as a mother’s vision to create the ideal learning environment for her son has blossomed into a thriving network of schools, serving hundreds of families and fostering the next generation of confident, creative thinkers.
Since the beginning, Bloom Academy has been rooted in a set of guiding values that inform every aspect of our schools. We believe in fostering strong relationships, encouraging independence, and creating a joyful environment where children and staff alike can blossom.
Since the beginning, Bloom Academy has been rooted in a set of guiding values that inform every aspect of our schools. We believe in fostering strong relationships, encouraging independence, and creating a joyful environment where children and staff alike can blossom.
Bloom Academy’s journey is just beginning. As we expand across Florida and into the Southeastern U.S., we remain focused on delivering the highest standards in early childhood education. Our mission is not only to provide exceptional care but to become the best workplace for early childhood educators, supporting their growth as they nurture the next generation.
Bloom Academy’s journey is just beginning. As we expand across Florida and into the Southeastern U.S., we remain focused on delivering the highest standards in early childhood education. Our mission is not only to provide exceptional care but to become the best workplace for early childhood educators, supporting their growth as they nurture the next generation.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a nurturing, inspiring place for your child, or someone passionate about opening your own Bloom Academy, we welcome you to be part of our growing family. Discover why so many families trust Bloom and explore the opportunity to bring our unique philosophy to your community.
24368 Airport Road
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-655-9067
7 AM – 5:45 PM
License #: C20CH0062
17775 Commons Drive
Babcock Ranch, FL 33982
239-599-5225
7 AM – 5:45 PM
License #: C20CH0101
4334 Laura Street
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
941-876-5504
7 AM – 5:45 PM
License #: C20CH0088
329 Allen Street
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
941-637-7496
7 AM – 5:45 PM
License #: C20CH0089
