Lakeland, Florida · Est. 2003
A foundation built
on care.
Nurturing curious minds and confident hearts — from infancy through Pre-K — in a warm, welcoming community that families have trusted for over two decades.
Lakeland, Florida · Est. 2003
Nurturing curious minds and confident hearts — from infancy through Pre-K — in a warm, welcoming community that families have trusted for over two decades.
What We Offer
From your child's first weeks to their kindergarten readiness, each program is thoughtfully crafted to meet them exactly where they are — developmentally, socially, and emotionally.
Ages 6 weeks – 12 months
Ratio 1:4 · Max 8 infants
Attentive, loving care with individualized feeding and sleep schedules. Primary caregivers build consistent bonds with each baby.
Ages 12 – 24 months
Ratio 1:5 · Max 10 children
Sensory exploration, early language, and parallel play in a safe, stimulating environment that celebrates every new milestone.
Ages 2 – 3 years
Ratio 1:6 · Max 12 children
Creative art, music, and movement activities build independence and social skills as children discover the world around them.
Ages 3 – 4 years
Ratio 1:10 · Max 20 children
A structured yet playful curriculum introduces early literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking — laying the academic groundwork for kindergarten.
Ages 4 – 5 years
Ratio 1:10 · Max 20 children
A comprehensive kindergarten-readiness program covering reading, math, science, and character development. Florida VPK certificates warmly accepted.
VPK AcceptedHow We Teach
At Cornerstone Academy, we believe education is most powerful when children feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Everything we do flows from four core commitments.
Our educators average 11 years in early childhood education. All lead teachers hold a Florida CDA or higher, and every staff member completes 20+ hours of annual professional development. Low turnover means your child builds lasting bonds.
We use a structured, research-backed curriculum that aligns with Florida's Early Learning Standards. Lessons blend intentional instruction with play-based discovery — because children learn best when they're having fun.
Kindness, respect, and responsibility are woven into every school day — not as separate lessons, but as a living culture. We partner with families to reinforce these values at home so children grow with confidence and integrity.
Two wholesome snacks and a hot lunch are prepared fresh in our on-site kitchen every day. Our menus follow USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. Allergen accommodations are always available upon request.
The Cornerstone Day
Consistency and routine give children a sense of security. Here's what a typical day looks like in our Preschool and Pre-K classrooms.
Children arrive, greet their teachers, and ease into the day with free-choice activity centers and morning circle greetings.
A nutritious snack is shared together, building community and healthy habits around the table.
Focused literacy, numeracy, and science activities. Small-group rotations allow teachers to give individualized attention and encouragement.
Children explore our shaded playground — climbing, running, and building social skills in fresh Florida air.
A freshly prepared, CACFP-compliant lunch served family-style. Teachers eat alongside children, modeling conversation and table manners.
Nap or restful quiet activities with soft music — a restorative pause that supports growth and afternoon readiness.
A second healthy snack to recharge for the afternoon's learning and play.
Art projects, music, STEM exploration, and dramatic play rotate across the week. Specialists visit twice monthly for music and movement sessions.
Calm free-choice activities and one-on-one time with teachers as families begin arriving for a warm end-of-day connection.
Life at Cornerstone
From Our Families
We were nervous about transitioning our daughter from home care, but Cornerstone's infant room teachers made us feel like family from day one. The daily photo updates, the consistency, the genuine warmth — we couldn't ask for more. She's thriving, and so are we.
My son has been at Cornerstone from toddlers all the way through Pre-K. Watching him go from barely talking to reading simple books and confidently raising his hand in class — that's the Cornerstone difference. He's ready for kindergarten and I couldn't be prouder.
As a single working mom, reliability and trust matter more than anything. Cornerstone has never once let me down in three years. The teachers know my daughter by name, know her quirks, and genuinely cheer her on. Drop-off used to be tears — now she runs in the door.
Enrollment & Visits
The best way to know if we're the right fit for your family is to walk through our doors. We offer personal tours Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, by appointment.
Our current monthly tuition ranges from $850 for infants to $625 for Pre-K, with sibling discounts available. Florida VPK certificates cover the full cost of our Pre-K program during the school year. Financial assistance applications are available upon request.
Request a Tour
Find Us
Monday – Friday
6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed weekends & major holidays
Florida DCF Licensed
License #C08PO0042
VPK-Approved Provider
CACFP Participant