ENROLL NOW FOR FALL

At Kaleidoscope Academy, we believe that high-quality childcare starts with strong, consistent leadership. Our owners are not just names on a building—they are on-site daily, actively involved in the classrooms, supporting our teachers, and greeting our families.

 Co-Founder & Director

Jennifer is a highly accomplished leader in early childhood education, bringing over 27 years of specialized experience to Kaleidoscope Academy. A lifelong New Jersey resident born in Mount Holly, Jennifer’s deep roots in the community are the foundation of her "family-first" approach to childcare. Her career began in 1994, and by 1998, she was serving as a Toddler Assistant—a role where her natural talent for leadership and orientation quickly propelled her to Lead Teacher. Jennifer holds a prestigious Director’s Credential from Rutgers University and is fully certified as a Center Director in the state of New Jersey.

Jennifer’s journey through the New Jersey childcare landscape has been defined by a commitment to the highest national standards. From 2003 to 2011, she spent nine formative years at a prominent center in Medford, rising from Toddler Teacher to Assistant Director, and finally being appointed Center Director in 2006. A hallmark of her directorship was successfully guiding her center through the rigorous NECPA accreditation process, a testament to her dedication to elite-level care.

In 2012, Jennifer took the helm as Center Director for a school in Cherry Hill. This role served as the final stepping stone toward her ultimate goal: creating a school built on her own high standards for safety, digital innovation, and education.

The foundation of Kaleidoscope Academy was laid in September 1998, when Jennifer was hired at a learning center in Westampton. It was there she met Lisa McGroarty. With their classrooms located right next to each other—Jennifer in the Toddler wing and Lisa in Kindergarten—they became fast friends and a seamless professional team. This 25-plus-year bond saw them move together through the industry as a "package deal" before co-founding Kaleidoscope Academy in 2015.

As a mother of four, Jennifer has a profound appreciation for the foundational impact of early childhood education. She understands the parent's journey firsthand and firmly believes that children thrive when given the opportunity to learn at their own pace while exploring the world around them. Today, Jennifer combines her high-level administrative expertise with her heart as a mother to ensure every family at the Academy feels supported, heard, and inspired.

Co-Founder & Assistant Director

Lisa’s dedication to fostering young minds began long before her professional career; as a child, she was already organizing "classes" for neighborhood friends. That early passion evolved into a lifelong mission, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Cabrini College in 1997.

Lisa’s career is defined by her deep, "in-the-trenches" experience as a lead educator. For over a decade, she was the primary architect of student success in the classroom:

• Kindergarten Lead (1998–2003): Lisa spent five years mastering the Kindergarten transition, ensuring her students left for first grade with a rock-solid academic foundation.
• Pre-K Specialist (2003–2010): Upon moving to Medford, Lisa served as a Pre-K Lead Teacher for seven years. During this time, she became an expert in the developmental milestones of four and five-year-olds.
• Educational Visionary: Her initiative was showcased when she collaborated with her Director to transform an unused space into a thriving private Kindergarten classroom, which she personally led for two years.

A resident of Burlington County since 1977, Lisa has deep roots in the community she serves. She brings the perspective of a devoted parent to the Academy, having been married for 24 years and raising her own 16-year-old daughter. She understands firsthand the importance of finding a "school home" that offers both high-level academics and emotional security.

In September 1998, Lisa’s path crossed with Jennifer’s while they were co-workers in Westampton. With their classrooms located right next to each other—Lisa in Kindergarten and Jennifer in the Toddler wing—they became fast friends and a formidable professional team. This 25-plus-year bond led them to Medford in 2003 and eventually to the founding of Kaleidoscope Academy in 2015.

Today, Lisa brings her 14 years of teaching mastery to our daily operations. As a hands-on mentor, she:

• Checks on every staff member daily, assisting with classroom management and curriculum.
• Provides real-world support to our teachers, drawing on her own years as a Lead Teacher.
• Ensures excellence in every classroom, making sure every child has the safe, educationally rich environment they deserve.