Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning School. Image submitted

KNOXVILLE - Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools®, the nation’s leading provider of high-quality early childhood education, is officially breaking ground on its newest location in Knoxville. The milestone is being celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. CST, signaling the start of construction on a premier early learning school designed to meet the increasing demand for quality childcare in the region.

Conveniently located at 9714 Middlebrook Pike, Children’s Lighthouse in Knoxville will be owned and operated by Sohini Desai and UJ Patel. Inspired by a passion for early education and a desire to make a meaningful impact on local families, Desai and Patel are committed to bringing a nurturing, safe and academically rich environment to Knox County.

Children’s Lighthouse Knoxville will serve children ages six weeks through 12 years old, offering infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K and school-age programs. The school will implement the brand’s proprietary Lighthouse Pathways® curriculum, thoughtfully designed to foster academic readiness, character development and confidence-building in every child.

Infants and toddlers benefit from a warm, nurturing environment that supports early developmental milestones, language growth and motor skills. As children transition into preschool and pre-K, the curriculum emphasizes a balanced blend of structure and exploration, incorporating hands-on learning, early literacy foundations and critical thinking. School-age students will have access to before- and after-school programs that include homework support, enrichment activities and character-building experiences in an engaging setting.

“The groundbreaking in Knoxville represents an exciting step in our continued expansion into communities where families are actively seeking high-quality early childhood education,” said Michael Brown, President of Children’s Lighthouse. “Sohini and UJ embody the passion and commitment we look for in our franchise partners, and we are confident this school will become a trusted resource for families throughout the community.”

The mission of Children’s Lighthouse is to give franchisees the tools, guidance and opportunity to operate a profitable business that is designed to give children a safe, loving place to learn, make friends and build confidence. By partnering with parents and maintaining a strong presence in the communities they serve, Children’s Lighthouse franchisees are dedicated to creating positive, lasting impacts through volunteering, donations and local involvement.

Children’s Lighthouse of Knoxville is anticipated to be open by Spring 2027.

To learn more, please visit childrenslighthouse.com/knoxville.