More than 30 years in Melbourne

Jelly Bean Junction has served Melbourne long enough that former students now enroll their own children. Some of our teachers have been with us for decades, giving children stable relationships and routines they can count on.

Our mission and vision

To provide exceptional care and meaningful early learning in a safe, nurturing, joyful environment where every child is respected, supported, and encouraged to grow with confidence and curiosity.

We aim to be one of Melbourne's most trusted early learning schools, building on more than 30 years of service to local families while continually raising the quality of our teachers, educational program, and learning environment. We want children to leave Jelly Bean Junction confident, curious, kind, increasingly independent, and well prepared for the next stage of their education.

I came into early childhood education in 2017, after a career in technology, telecommunications, business, and entrepreneurship. I hold a PhD in electrical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. But the more important path into education came from being a parent. Raising my children made me think seriously about what helps a child become curious, confident, independent, and willing to pursue their own way.

As my children grew up and began leaving for college, I wanted the next chapter of my career to put some of that into practice in a way that would have a direct and lasting impact on children and families. I acquired Sunset Academy in Colorado in 2017, and Jelly Bean Junction in 2021.

Each time, I made the teachers the same commitment: we should strive to pay excellent teachers at the top of the local market for comparable positions. Only high quality teachers can provide high quality childcare. A school cannot consistently deliver exceptional care and meaningful learning unless it first attracts, develops, respects, and keeps excellent educators.

Jelly Bean Junction appealed to me because it already had more than 30 years of history in Melbourne. Today we are seeing former students return as parents with children of their own. My goal is to protect that legacy while continuing to invest in the people, curriculum, facilities, and systems that will make this a better school for the next generation.

Our team

Our leadership team runs the school alongside our teachers. We have approximately 26 staff members, and our classroom staff are referred to collectively as our teachers.

High quality childcare requires high quality teachers. That belief shapes how we run the school. We aim to pay our teachers at the top of the local market for comparable early childhood positions so we can attract, develop, and keep excellent educators.

One of our teachers has been here since Jelly Bean Junction opened more than 30 years ago. Another has been with us more than 20 years. Teachers who have been with us over a year are eligible for our scholarship program to earn the Florida Child Care Professional Credential, and several already have.

APPLE Accredited and Florida Gold Seal Quality Care

APPLE Accreditation is a voluntary process that includes self-study, documentation review, and a verification visit against recognized standards for high quality early care and education. Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care designation recognizes childcare providers that hold a qualifying accreditation and meet additional state requirements.

We use the Learning Beyond Paper curriculum, with emphasis on early literacy and social emotional development. Young children learn best through active, hands-on experience and purposeful play. Our goal is to help them become confident, curious, kind, and capable learners.

Read more about our curriculum and programs.

Safety and security

• Security cameras throughout the facility and grounds
• Procare electronic check-in and check-out
• Release only to authorized individuals with photo ID verification when needed
• Written emergency plans with required drills

Read the full drop-off and pickup procedure on our Policies page.

Location and hours

• APPLE Accredited
• Florida Gold Seal Quality Care
• Ages 6 weeks to 12 years
• Meals included