Preschool & Daycare in Cranford, NJ
Hours & Location
- Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
- (908) 460-1919
- 560 South Avenue East Cranford, NJ 07016
- cranford@lightbridgeacademy.com
Programs Offered
Welcome to our Cranford, NJ educational child care center
Welcome to Lightbridge Academy of Cranford, NJ!
Hello! My name is Liz Henao and I am the Center Director of our Cranford location. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Education. I have been with Lightbridge Academy since 2009 and have been working with Early Childhood Education for over 16 years! My experience began with babysitting in high school for many families. My administrative experience began in 2018, in which I was able to focus on coaching and mentoring. I’m a mommy to a beautiful baby girl. I am passionate about spending time with family, traveling and anything Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Our Assistant Director, Mariann Finistrella has been with Lightbridge Academy since 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and has been working in Early Childhood Education for over 13 years. She began her administrative career in 2020. She has been married for 31 years and has three children, Joe, Mathew and Marisa. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. During the holidays her favorite past time is to watch Hallmark Christmas movies.
Our Seedlings curriculum focuses on the whole child, incorporating areas such as writing (Handwriting Without Tears), language and literacy, social and emotional development, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and utilizing the outdoor learning environment for collaborative learning and play. Our center also offers state of the art technology including a biometric fingerprint entry, interactive whiteboards, ParentView® internet monitoring, and Tadpoles; our e-communication system. These tools all help us reach our goal of keeping parents connected to our center and to their child throughout the day. We strive to meet the needs of our working families as well as our stay-at-home moms/dads who are looking for a program that will offer early education and socialization for their children on a part time basis. In order to do so, we offer our families a flexibility in programming, ranging from 2, 3 or 5 days per week for children ages 6 weeks through Preschool/Pre-K. We look forward to meeting you and having you join our family!
Sincerely,
Liz Henao
Center Director
Cranford, NJ highlights
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Child safety features
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All staff CPR/first aid certified
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Secure center
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Certified teachers
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Proprietary curriculum
Explore our Cranford, NJ programs
Select your child's age group to learn more about the curriculum and enrichment offered.
Get tuition and program information
"*" indicates required fields
- Infant (6 weeks to 18 months)
- Toddler (1 to 3 years)
- Preschool (3 to 4 years)
- Pre-K (4 to 5 years)
- Kindergarten (5 to 6 years)
*The ages of children in our programs varies based on local and state regulations as well as the unique needs of each child.
Here when you need us most
When your schedule changes, you can rely on Lightbridge Academy. Our Cranford, NJ center offers:
Back-Up Care
Learn MoreFocused on what families need
Ready to step into kindergarten
Our proprietary Seedlings® curriculum builds skills, confidence, and curiosity, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Flexibility that fits your life
From back-up care to extended pickup hours, our services are designed to make busy weeks feel easier.
Peace of mind, every single day
From secure entry to live video streaming, you’ll know your child is safe, happy, and thriving when you can’t be there.
Support for every step
Our Circle of Care® includes parents, children, teachers, and the community, surrounding your child with kindness and encouragement.
Hear from our parents
June 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions for Cranford, NJ
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What ages do you serve?
We serve children from 6 weeks to 6 years, with programs designed for each stage of development including Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten.
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What are your hours of operation?
Our centers are typically open Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Hours may vary by location — check your local center for specific times.
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What is your curriculum?
We use a proprietary, research-based curriculum that focuses on the whole child — social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. Our curriculum is aligned with state early learning standards.
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How do I enroll my child?
Contact your local center to schedule a tour and learn about availability. You can also fill out the Program Info form on this page to get started.
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Do you offer part-time care?
Part-time options vary by location and availability. Contact your local center to discuss scheduling options that work for your family.