How Lightbridge Academy Implements Technology in its Centers to Build Trust with Parents

Since its inception in 1997, Lightbridge Academy has been providing early education and child care for children ages six weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for those aged up to 10 years during school holidays, breaks and summer camp. In an effort to expand their distinctive concept, Lightbridge Academy opened up to franchising in 2011 and has since grown to include over 100 centers open, under construction or in development throughout the eastern U.S.

Lightbridge Academy is also a top choice for parents, because the brand evokes a strong emphasis on child safety and security through the use of technology. Lightbridge Academy was founded on the Circle of Care philosophy, a fundamental set of values that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, franchisees and the community. This philosophy, in part, is what made Lightbridge Academy the premier choice for franchisees in the early education and child care segment, one that is unparalleled in the child care industry. 

Inspired by its Circle of Care philosophy, Lightbridge Academy prioritizes children’s safety and well-being. For example, each center features a coded entry system complete with a fingerprint scanner. Every parent or caregiver that is authorized to pick up a child has their fingerprint stored in the system and has to scan in when entering the center. Any unfamiliar visitors must show a picture ID. “No matter what, the safety of each and every child is of utmost priority to us,” said Gigi Schweikert, president and COO of Lightbridge Academy. “Parents need to feel confident that they are leaving their children in great hands while they’re at work. The fingerprint scanner allows us to give parents that piece of mind.”

Additionally, each Lightbridge Academy center features silent alarm systems located throughout the entire center that can be engaged within seconds to ensure the safety of both staff and children. To further ensure the safety of both the staff and children, each center is equipped with state-of-the-art sprinkler systems and performs routine fire drills. Even Lightbridge Academy’s outdoor play areas were designed with safety in mind: each play area is clean, padded, shaded and fenced, with no outside entry. 

Thanks to this technology, parents can rest assured that their children are safe and secure at Lightbridge Academy. 

In addition to safety, Lightbridge Academy has been able to build trust with parents thanks to its various technology platforms. With its proprietary system—ParentView Internet Monitoring—Lightbridge Academy parents are able to stay connected to their children in real time. By using an authorized and secure log in, ParentView allows parents to check in at any moment of the day and view their child’s classroom—even if a business trip takes them halfway around the world. The program provides that extra little peace of mind parents need to not worry about their child. 

What’s more, Lightbridge Academy utilizes a “Parent eCommunication” app that allows parents to send ongoing updates on their child. The eCommunication app sends parents important classroom announcements, reminders, photos, videos and and daily reports. “Open communication with the families we serve is also of top priority to us,” Schweikert said. “The way we see it, the more parents know about their children while they’re in our hands, the more comfortable they will feel on a day-to-day basis. This has been a great tool for Lightbridge Academy and has allowed us to build more trusting relationships between the staff and parents.”

“Because we are in the business of trust, we look at technology to support, illustrate and live our values,” Schweikert said. “Technology helps us fulfill our promise of building trusting relationships.” 

Lightbridge Academy utilizes technology to help create an enhanced learning environment: PCs are attached to the classroom’s interactive whiteboards, allowing the brand to provide connected distance learning for children. Additionally, iPads provide teachers the ability to communicate and document daily activities to share with parents. 

Lightbridge Academy prioritizes safety, security and transparency in order to build trusting, long-lasting relationships with each child and parent who walks through its doors. Through the use of technology, the brand is able to ensure parents feel confident their children are in great hands while they’re at work. 

The startup costs for a Lightbridge academy franchise range from $549,228 to $737,635. The franchise fee is $40,000. To learn more about franchising with Lightbridge Academy, visit https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/.