Welcome to Early Bird Education Group

About Us

Early Bird Education Group is the owner and operator of a network of high-quality early childhood education schools across the United States. We strive to be the number one choice for parents and teachers in every community we serve.

We were founded in February 2021 with one simple belief: every child deserves a happy and healthy start in life. From day one, our goal has been to open schools where your kids feel safe, valued, and eager to learn and where parents don’t hesitate to drop them off every morning. But we also know that childcare can be challenging. Families need reliable support, teachers need room to grow, and schools need strong resources. Early Bird offers it all. Our growing network gives each school the tools, training, and backing it needs.

Our Mission

Help children develop and grow to their full potential and prepare them for a life of learning in a loving, fun, and safe environment.
Learning is never forced. It’s practical, imaginative, and full of small wins that build confidence. These early years shape everything in children, and we’re here to make them count in the best way possible.

Our Vision

Build a network of high-quality childcare centers and be the number one choice for parents and teachers in every community we serve. It’s not just about classrooms and schedules. In our schools, children are encouraged to explore, play, and grow at their own pace, while families and teachers share in the joy of every milestone.

Our Values

Humility

We listen to what others say and give space to new ideas. We take personal accountability to do the right thing even when no one is looking. We work with kindness and good intentions.

Unity

It takes a village to raise a child. Our team members work together with each other and our families to provide the best outcomes for our children. We recognize, appreciate, and encourage each other as we work to achieve our collective goal.

Growth

Growth is at the core of Early Bird. Our children grow under our care during their most formative years, our staff have unprecedented growth opportunities within Early Bird and the organization is relentlessly striving for growth in quality and scale.

Safety

Health and safety of our children comes first, always. We do not cut corners nor tolerate situations or behaviors that compromise safety.

The Early bird difference

Safe Loving Environment

Health, safety and comfort above all. We prioritize fostering a safe, loving environment with attentive care for our children to play and learn in. Everything else falls into place if this is taken care of.

Passionate Team

This is a career for us, not a job. We strive to surround ourselves with professionals that are passionate about early childhood education. We love working with children and taking part in their development.

Local Identity

Our unique characteristics derive from the local community. We are fundamentally family-oriented and “mom-and-pop” in how immersed we are with the neighborhoods we serve. Each school has adopted an identity commensurate with the unique needs of the local community.

Educational Focus

We are more than just a “daycare”. As educators we take pride in being an integral part of our children’s early learning years. We maintain quality curriculum and programming to ensure our children are learning socially, emotionally, physically and academically to be kindergarten-ready and beyond.

Meet The Flock

Scott Bohnert

Vice President of Operations

Lacee Bertram

Regional Vice President of Operations

Ben Wexler

Vice President of Corporate Development & Integration

Christina Ewing

Area Director – Kentucky

Emily Feeney

Area Director – Kentucky

Brandi Auman

Area Director – Ohio, North

Brittney Edwards

Area Director – Ohio, Central

Tammy LaVacque

Area Director – Ohio, South

Beverly Mills

Area Director - Indiana

Jametris Jones

Area Director – Tennessee and Arkansas

Rachel Manis

Area Director – Nashville

Jennifer Slayden

Area Director – Georgia

Ally Stevens

Area Director - Virginia

Kristina Zucaro

Area Director – Pennsylvania

Melinda Kincaid

Payroll Manager

Kasee Stanzak

Finance Manager

Tiffany O’Neal

Subsidy Coordinator

Terrah Rice

Food Program Coordinator

Kenneth Rosales

Manager of IT

Our Schools

Alabama Schools

Arkansas Schools

Indiana Schools

Georgia Schools

Kentucky Schools

Ohio Schools

Pennsylvania Schools

Tennessee Schools

Virginia Schools

Careers

We are seeking professionals who have a passion for early childhood education and want to be part of an exciting, growing organization. Our staff are foundational pillars to each of our schools and the families we serve. As such, we are highly focused on fostering a supportive and pleasant work environment in which our teachers can grow professionally and build meaningful relationships.

Medical insurance

High quality PPO health insurance plan

Continuing Education

Continuous trainings offered and sponsored CDA certificates

Dental insurance

Cover you & your family’s dental needs

Vacation / PTO

Vacation and PTO so you can recharge your batteries

401K Retirement Plan

Save toward your retirement with us

Paid holidays

Paid for select national holidays

Vision insurance

Cover you & your family’s vision needs

Professional growth

Career advancement opportunities are uniquely abundant with Early Bird

Current Job Openings

Early Bird Education Group

Corporate

Acquisitions

Early Bird Education Group is self-funded by the founding partners and is not backed by private equity or institutional investors. We believe this aligns us strongly with the family-oriented culture cultivated at independently owned schools. Early Bird was founded with the goal of becoming the preferred second “home” for quality, independently run schools whose owners are seeking retirement or a different path in life.

Core Tenants of Partnership

Maintaining your legacy

It is our priority to maintain each school’s hard-earned, unique brand, reputation, culture and staff, which we believe to be core to each school’s sustained success. We aim to be non-disruptive to each school’s established systems and instead strive to play a supportive, “behind-the-scenes” role. Through all of our acquisitions, we have experienced minimal disruption and have not lost any families or staff due to the transition.

Empowering existing staff

We strive to retain all existing staff and improve their quality of life by offering full medical benefits and career advancement opportunities within the broader Early Bird family. Existing directors have been empowered to grow fully into their full potential as leaders and numerous teachers have been promoted into administrative leadership roles.

Patient, long-term stewardship

We seek to be in the industry for the long term. As a result, we make decisions that prioritize a school’s long-term excellence over short term profits.

Growth focused philosophy

We are fundamentally growth-oriented in our operating philosophy. We seek to improve our schools by investing in and supporting growth initiatives, such as in new technology and facilities improvements. We have invested significantly in new technology, headcount, wages & benefits, fixtures and facilities improvements across our schools.

Welcome to Early Bird Education Group

About Us

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our Values

Humility

Unity

Growth

Safety

The Early bird difference

Safe Loving Environment

Passionate Team

Local Identity

Educational Focus

Meet The Flock

Scott Bohnert

Vice President of Operations

Lacee Bertram

Regional Vice President of Operations

Ben Wexler

Vice President of Corporate Development & Integration

Christina Ewing

Area Director – Kentucky

Emily Feeney

Area Director – Kentucky

Brandi Auman

Area Director – Ohio, North

Brittney Edwards

Area Director – Ohio, Central

Tammy LaVacque

Area Director – Ohio, South

Beverly Mills

Area Director - Indiana

Jametris Jones

Area Director – Tennessee and Arkansas

Rachel Manis

Area Director – Nashville

Jennifer Slayden

Area Director – Georgia

Ally Stevens

Area Director - Virginia

Kristina Zucaro

Area Director – Pennsylvania

Melinda Kincaid

Payroll Manager

Kasee Stanzak

Finance Manager

Tiffany O’Neal

Subsidy Coordinator

Terrah Rice

Food Program Coordinator

Kenneth Rosales

Manager of IT

Our Schools

Bright Ideas – Auburn

Bright Ideas – Bryant

Brookshire Learning Center – West Lafayette

Brookshire Learning Center – Lafayette

Brookshire Learning Center – Yeager

Intrinsic Scholars Academy

Kids Time Academy Canton

Bright Start Childcare & Preschool

Lyndon Learning Childcare

Children’s Academy

Today’s Kids

Training Wheels Childcare

Crestwood Preschool Academy

Crestwood Childcare & Learning Center

Lily Pad Childcare

Heartland Academy

Hyde Park Play School

Imagination Crossing

Kare-A-Lot Preschool

Big Hearts Little Hands

Penguin Crossing Academy

Wishing Well Preschool – North Royalton

Days of Discovery Beaver Creek

The Enrichment Center

Wishing Well Preschool – Strongsville

Imagination Station