Baby Fox Academy LWR

Come See How We Are Bringing Back Magical Childhoods

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Florida-licensed ✦ NAEYC & FLAEYC Members ✦ 2026 FLAECY Award-Winning Teachers ✦ Small Class Sizes ✦ Family-Owned Since 2016

Bringing Back Magical Childhoods

Baby Fox Academy is a high-quality early learning school in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, serving families across Sarasota and Manatee counties. We care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-K children in small classes with a play-based, hands-on approach that follows each child's lead. Our teachers act as facilitators and extenders of play, giving children the freedom to explore, create, and build a strong foundation for school and for life.
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Our Approach

Play is the plan. Children learn best when they lead their own play, so our days are hands-on and individualized, with teachers who extend the learning instead of interrupting it. A space built for growing. Bright, thoughtfully stocked classrooms, an outdoor play area, small class sizes, and no screens in sight, all designed around how young children actually learn.

Laurie & Matthew McCracken | Owners · Laurie, Lead Educator

Bachelor's in Elementary Education | Master's in Early Literacy, Nova Southeastern University | 30+ Years in Early Childhood Education | 2026 FLAECY Advocate of the Year


Baby Fox Academy is owned and operated by Laurie and Matthew McCracken. Laurie brings more than 30 years of early childhood teaching and a Master's in Early Literacy, leading a family-owned school built on the belief that children learn best through play.

The Heart Behind Baby Fox

Baby Fox Academy is family owned and operated, led by educator Laurie McCracken and built on more than 30 years of loving young children well. We know every child by name, cheer every milestone, and treat your little one like our own. There is a whole story behind why we do things the way we do, and we would love to share it with you.
Meet The Family

✦ Screen-Free By Design

No TVs or tablets, just real materials, real play, and real connection.

♥ Small Classes, Big Attention

Low ratios mean every child is truly known and individually supported.

★ Award-Winning Teachers

FLAECY's 2026 Advocate of the Year and VPK Educator of the Year.

✿ Play Is The Plan

A developmentally appropriate, hands-on approach.

Alina

Today is our last day at this school, and I want to thank our amazing teachers. My daughter loved this place and learned so many things at Baby Fox Academy! There is no TV in this school, and it's amazing! I got so many nice pictures, and they did a lot of experiments, arts and crafts, and paintings. The school has Parents' Night Out days, pizza days, and family entertainment days. There are cameras so I could watch my daughter, the location is great, and it's super clean with friendly teachers. My daughter made a lot of friends here. This place is our second home! Great VPK program! We will miss you. Thank you for everything!