Lightbridge Academy Franchisee Sarina Jagtiani Brings Experience in Early Childhood Education and Deep Community Ties To Her First Franchise Location

Lightbridge Academy franchisee Sarina Jagtiani recently opened her first franchise with the early education and child care brand in the town of Massapequa on New York’s Long Island. Jagtiani’s Lightbridge Academy center is the brand’s second Long Island location. 

Jagtiani, a former daycare administrator and preschool teacher, first heard about Lightbridge Academy through her husband’s sister, who sends her own child to a Lightbridge Academy center in New Jersey. Jagtiani was especially enthusiastic about the brand’s vision of being The Solution for Working Parents® and more than just a daycare center. Thanks to her previous career paths, she was always in a position to bring her children to work with her and knows most parents aren’t as lucky. She wants to help them. 

“Lightbridge Academy is so supportive,” Jagtiani said. “They have an excellent curriculum and The Lightbridge Promise is the gold standard for health and safety in the child care industry. I’ve never seen a center so advanced. That was what made them stand out.”

Jagtiani joins Lightbridge Academy at an opportune time of franchise growth for the brand. Founded in 1997, Lightbridge Academy has a footprint of over 100 centers either open, under construction or in development in markets across the U.S. The brand is rapidly expanding across its home state of New Jersey and is looking to spread its signature Circle of Care in markets such as Cincinnati. Lightbridge Academy met several major company milestones in 2019 alone, including having its Iselin, New Jersey center officially certified by the Association for Early Learning Leaders’ National Accreditation Commission and nabbing a spot on Franchise Times’ Top 200+ List. 

Jagtiani is well-positioned to help Lightbridge Academy expand in Long Island. She grew up in the community of Glen Cove and hails from an entrepreneurial family with deep Long Island roots. Her in-laws own a vegan bakery in the nearby town of Hicksville called Hot Breads. Her father is a retired pharmacist who worked for the privately-owned company Glen Cove Chemists. Jagtiani even completed her own education in the region—she has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Long Island University. She is interested in opening more Lightbridge Academy centers in the future. 

Lightbridge Academy is thrilled to have Jagtiani on their side and eager to bring the brand’s signature Circle of Care to the area. 

“Sarina is an excellent addition to the Lightbridge Academy family,” Lightbridge Academy President and COO Gigi Schweikert said. “Not only does she have years of experience in early childhood education, but she is also deeply embedded in the community. She grew up on Long Island, obtained her degrees here and has also worked in the child care industry here. She knows exactly what local families are looking for and knows how to deliver quality child care. She will be an excellent representative of the Lightbridge Academy brand in Massapequa.” 

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/.