Business Details
25 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Early Childhood Education
Since opening our first Ohio location in Cleveland in December 2001, Clever Bee Academy has dedicated itself to stimulating the spirit of learning in children from infancy to preteens. Our team of qualified educators and leadership professionals delivers high-quality early childhood education through 15 academies across Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. Holding credentials like Step-Up-To-Quality Four Star ratings, HeadStart partnerships, and Pre4Cle approval, we implement evidence-based curricula designed to prepare children for academic and personal success.Our programs emphasize secure environments, purposeful play, family collaboration, and nutritional excellence while maintaining appropriate teacher-to-student ratios. With specialized initiatives like TheraPeds therapy partnerships and the Learning Beyond Paper curriculum aligned with national standards, we combine structured education with developmental care. Our commitment to professional development ensures staff maintain expertise in early childhood pedagogy while creating nurturing spaces that foster curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child we serve.
Services
Infant Care
Toddler Care
Preschool
School-Age Programs
Summer Camps
Therapy Partnerships
Nutritional Programs
Family Resources
Teacher Training
Enrollment Services
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- Secure facilities with monitored access and dedicated maintenance staff
- Age-appropriate learning materials and educational resources in every classroom
- Specialized programs promoting motor development and social-emotional growth
- Collaborative family communication systems with regular progress updates
- Nutritionist-designed meal plans meeting USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program standards
Associations and certifications
- Step-Up-To-Quality
- HeadStart
- Pre4Cle
What people say
Incredible teachers
Social development
Caring staff
Confidence growth
Safe environment
Services
Infant Care
Our infant program nurtures development from 6 weeks through 17 months with purposeful play activities that stimulate sensory exploration and motor skills. Certified caregivers provide individualized attention during feeding, tummy time, and developmental exercises while maintaining strict safety protocols. Parents receive daily progress updates through our communication system.
Toddler Care
Designed for 18-month to 3-year-olds, this program focuses on self-care skills and motor development through structured activities like ball play and creative arts. Small group instruction promotes social interaction while maintaining a 1:7 teacher-to-child ratio in classrooms equipped with age-appropriate learning materials.
Preschool Program
Our preschool curriculum prepares 3-4 year olds for academic success through literacy, math, and science activities aligned with national standards. Daily circle time, guest speakers, and STEAM projects develop cognitive skills while fostering emotional growth through collaborative play experiences.
School-Age Care
Serving children 5-12 years old, this program provides homework assistance, enrichment activities, and supervised recreation before and after school hours. Summer extensions include educational field trips and structured social development programs while maintaining partnerships with local school districts.
Summer Camp
Our summer camps offer hands-on learning experiences with themed projects that develop critical thinking and creativity. Certified staff lead daily activities combining educational content with physical exercise while maintaining USDA-compliant nutrition programs throughout the 10-week seasonal operation.
People
Joseph SanFilippo
Chief Financial Officer
Overseeing financial operations for Ohio's largest child care network, Joseph brings 15+ years of experience in educational finance and strategic resource management for early childhood programs.
Cherry Villanueva Orlina
Vice President of Human Resources and Operations
With 20 years in childcare administration, Cherry manages staff development and operational standards across 15 Ohio locations, implementing training programs that maintain 98% staff retention rates.
Esra Cardace
Vice President of Growth and Strategy
Driving organizational expansion, Esra has overseen Clever Bee's growth from 1 to 15 locations while developing community partnerships that increase program accessibility for underserved populations.
Michelle Bledsoe
Inclusion Program Clinical Director
A licensed MSSA professional, Michelle coordinates special needs services and therapeutic partnerships, ensuring compliance with federal inclusion mandates across all educational programming.
Katherine Maccagnone
Executive Director Toledo Head Start
Leading Toledo operations, Katherine implements evidence-based curricula that maintain 95% parent satisfaction scores while managing community outreach initiatives for at-risk populations.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We provide programs for infants (6 weeks), toddlers (18 months), preschoolers (3-4 years), and school-age children (5-12 years) including summer camps.
Are meals provided?
Yes, we offer USDA-compliant breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared by certified nutritionists with accommodations for special dietary requirements.
What safety measures are in place?
Our centers feature secure entrances, sign-in journals, monitored access, and dedicated maintenance staff maintaining strict safety protocols.
Do you accept public funding?
We participate in Ohio's Title XX voucher program and provide assistance with application processes for eligible families.
How do you support child development?
Our Learning Beyond Paper curriculum combines structured education with purposeful play, incorporating STEAM activities and therapeutic partnerships for holistic development.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday-Saturday 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM with flexible scheduling options for working families across all locations.
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