Why Bright Years
Proven child care expertise, modern systems, thoughtful design, and a clear path for scalable and sustainable growth.
Why Early Education
Early education is an expanding industry with consistent demand, strong unit economics, and clear scalability. Unlike trend-based sectors, it is rooted in essential, everyday need, making it inherently recession-resistant.
$65B+
Source: Grand View Research, U.S. Child Care Market Size & Share Industry Report (2024)
70%+
Young children with parents in the workforce, driving consistent demand
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation Data Center (U.S. Census ACS Data) (2024)
3+
Children under age 6 competing for every licensed child care spot in many communities
Source: Center for American Progress, America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts (2026)
90%
Of children’s brain growth occurs before age 5
Source: First Things First, Early Brain Development (2024–2025)
Why Bright Years
At Bright Years, everything we do is rooted in experience, intentional design, and a clear point of differentiation. These core pillars define our approach and support a more refined, scalable early education franchise model built to last.
Proven in Practice
Developed from 30 years of operating successful early education centers, our systems are grounded in real-world performance, setting up franchisees for long-term success from day one.
A Distinctive Curriculum
A proprietary approach that blends academics, wellness, and creative expression that is designed to stand out in today’s early education landscape.
A More Modern Model
Built with a focus on operational discipline and efficiency, our model integrates modern systems and technology to support strong unit-level performance. With clear, intentional structure and visibility in place, franchisees are positioned to scale confidently and build long-term equity.
Who We Are
Mission
Bright Years Franchise empowers driven owners to build meaningful, successful businesses that deliver high-quality early education experiences, grounded in a proven model, thoughtful support, and a commitment to lasting community impact.
Values
- Lead with Purpose
- Operate with Intention
- Build Strong Teams
- Grow Strategically
- Show Up with Positivity
Vision
To be the leader in child care and early education franchising, building a network of high-performing centers that deliver exceptional experiences for children, families, and communities.
Our History
Bright Years Academy began in 1996 when founder April Lukasik set out to create the kind of early education experience she wanted for her own children. What started as a small, home-based program grew into a trusted and respected brand in Connecticut, built on a clear vision for quality, care, and academics.
Today, Bright Years continues to expand with intention, guided by the same core values that shaped its foundation. As we grow, we remain deeply committed to delivering a refined early education experience for families and a supportive, purpose-driven environment for our educators, while preserving the culture, reputation, and legacy that have defined us for three decades.
Timeline
1996 | Bright Years is Founded
Bright Years begins as a small, in-home daycare created by April for her two children, rooted in care, trust, and a passion for early childhood education.
1997 | First Bright Years Location Opens (Middletown)
Less than a year later, Bright Years expands into its first official center in Middletown, Connecticut, marking the beginning of a growing presence in the community.
2001 | NAEYC Accreditation Achieved
The Middletown location earns NAEYC accreditation, reflecting a deep commitment to quality, excellence, and best-in-class early education standards.
2002 | School Readiness Program Introduced
Bright Years begins offering the Middletown School Readiness Program (now called Early Start), expanding access to high-quality early education for local families.
2018 | Founder awarded SBA Connecticut Small Business Person of the Year
April Lukasik is named Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA, further recognizing the strength and success of the Bright Years model.
2019 | Founder April Lukasik Recognized with Connecticut Entrepreneurship Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
April is honored with the inaugural Connecticut Entrepreneurship Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her leadership and impact as a woman in business and in the local community.
2021 | ASL introduced in the classrooms as part of the curriculum
American Sign Language is integrated into classrooms, enhancing communication, inclusion, and early developmental learning.
2021 | 25th Anniversary and Second-Generation Leadership
Bright Years celebrates 25 years. In a full circle moment, Sydney Pugliares, April’s daughter and member of the first graduating class, officially joins the company.
2023 | Connecticut Small Business of the Year
Bright Years Academy is named Connecticut’s Small Business of the Year by the Community Investment Corporation for its growth, leadership, and community impact.
2025 | Curriculum Elevated
The Bright Years Curriculum expands by introducing wellness, music, and arts components, creating a more balanced approach that supports the whole child through mindfulness, creativity, movement, and self-expression.
2026 | 30 Years of Bright Years Academy
Bright Years celebrates three decades of impact, growth, and trusted child care and early education in the communities it serves.
2026 | Bright Years Franchise Launch
Co-founded by April and Sydney, Bright Years Franchise is launched to expand the brand’s legacy and bring its proven model to new markets nationwide.
Meet Our Team
April
Lukasik
President
Sydney
Pugliares
Executive Vice President
Kathy
Pancione
Director of Training & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What differentiates Bright Years from other child care franchises?
Bright Years is built on a foundation of 30 years of real operating experience. Our systems are proven in practice and designed to support strong, consistent performance from day one.
At the same time, we offer a more differentiated product. Our proprietary Bright Years Curriculum blends academics, wellness, and creative expression to deliver a more well-rounded, elevated child care and education experience that resonates with today’s families.
We pair this with a more modern operating model, integrating technology, systems, and operational discipline to drive unit-level performance and long-term scalability. The result is a brand that is both elevated in experience and built for growth.
What is the Bright Years curriculum?
The Bright Years Curriculum is our whole-child approach to early childhood education, designed to nurture intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development during the most formative years of a child’s life.
Our curriculum is built around three integrated components:
Bright Minds: our academic framework focused on age-appropriate learning, curiosity, and school readiness
Bright Intentions: our wellness approach incorporating mindfulness, movement, and social-emotional development
Bright Expressions: our music & arts program designed to foster creativity, confidence, imagination, and self-expression
Together, these components create a balanced, engaging educational experience that supports a more well-rounded and differentiated early education experience in a growing market. Learn more about our curriculum here.
Why is now a crucial time to invest in early education?
Early childhood education is an essential and growing industry, projected to exceed $100B in the coming years, with consistent annual growth driven by working families. At the same time, millions of childcare spots remain unmet nationwide, creating sustained demand across markets. This is not a trend-driven category, but a foundational need, making it a resilient, long-term investment with enduring relevance in both strong and uncertain economic environments.
Source: Grand View Research, U.S. Child Care Market Size & Share Industry Report (2024)
How many Bright Years locations are there?
As one of the largest child care and early education providers in the state of Connecticut, Bright Years is built on a strong foundation of 11 company-owned centers, providing a proven operational base as we expand through franchising.
As a franchise owner, do I need to work in the center?
Bright Years is designed to be an actively managed business rather than a fully passive investment. While owners are not required to work in the center every day, franchisees are expected to provide active leadership and oversight of the business. Owners may appoint an approved full-time Director to oversee day-to-day operations, while remaining ultimately responsible for the success of the center and adherence to Bright Years standards.