Early Childhood Education Chain Plans New Learning Center in Palmetto as Part of Florida Expansion
Palmetto is among several Florida communities slated to receive a new early childhood education center as The Learning Experience continues a multi-year expansion across the state.
The Learning Experience, a Deerfield Beach–based chain of child care centers, plans to open 8 locations across the region over the next 2 years as part of a broader strategy to add 20 new centers statewide. One of those locations is planned for Palmetto, with sites already selected and moving through various stages of permitting and construction, according to a company spokesperson.
Each center is expected to be approximately 10,000 square feet and include a 5,000-square-foot outdoor playground. When operational, the Palmetto location is anticipated to serve up to 180 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and employ about 30 staff members, including teachers and support personnel.
In addition to Palmetto, new centers are planned for Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Lutz, Spring Hill, Land O’ Lakes, North Port, Fort Myers, and Estero. The company evaluates several factors when selecting locations, including daytime population levels, traffic patterns, the concentration of children aged six and under within a one-, three-, and five-mile radius, and average household incomes in those areas.
The company’s development model typically calls for freestanding buildings on one- to two-acre sites with approximately 40 parking spaces. Lease terms are generally structured for 15 years with additional options.
According to company statements, early learning centers continue to draw interest from real estate investors due to stable demand, long-term leases, and what the company describes as the sector’s recession-resistant characteristics.
The Learning Experience currently has more than 600 centers nationwide, with more in development, and operates a mix of franchise- and corporate-owned locations. The planned Palmetto center would add to the city’s growing inventory of family-focused services as residential development continues in the area.
