Discovery Point Blog

August 31, 2020
daycare franchise lobby

Florida Daycare Franchise: Spotlight on Tampa

Discovery Point has been a part of the Tampa, FL community for many years. After getting our start in the Atlanta, GA area, we identified Tampa as another family-oriented community in need of high-quality child care. Our first center in Tampa was opened in 2003, and we’re proud to say there are now twelve centers in our Florida daycare franchise, including three multi-unit owners. 

Not only have we been able to contribute to the growth and development of Florida’s youngest generation through our expansion into this area, but we’ve also given passionate entrepreneurs the opportunity to own a business that gives back to their local community.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of our Florida daycare franchise, read on to learn more about our history in the Tampa area and our plans to bring this legacy to Bradenton and other nearby communities.

A Look Back at Tampa’s First Discovery Point Center

Our first Florida daycare franchise location was opened by Nancy Fields in 2003. Ms. Fields had been a member of the Discovery Point family since 1989, working in several of our centers before choosing to open one of her own. She was later joined by Cheri Livernois, and the two ran the Tampa-based location together until their retirement in 2017.

As Ms. Fields had a long history with the brand and was present for some of its earliest milestones, she had the understanding and business acumen needed to replicate its success in a new market. “Her dedication to education and community is what has made Tampa one of our most successful markets in the country,” Discovery Point’s Executive Director, Andrea Moore, has pointed out. “We hope to continue Nancy’s entrepreneurial spirit and expand further in Tampa and in other cities across the state.”

Ms. Fields believed one of the main reasons for the company’s success in the Tampa area lied in its unique vision of child care and engagement with the local community. “Being part of the original development of this brand, I can confirm that what works today still works because of Discovery Point’s processes and focus on curriculum,” she said, highlighting the company’s effective business model as well as the emphasis it places on educational child care. “Because it has consistently focused on these items, business owners with a passion for children and community have been able to realize their dreams as Discovery Point owners and make a difference to the families they serve.”

Expanding Throughout the Tampa Area

Now run by Salim and Andrea Karnaby, our first center in Florida, Discovery Point Trinity, is still a thriving place for young children in the area. The Karnabys also own and operate Discovery Point Suncoast Crossings, located in Odessa, FL. 

The couple have made their business an integral and much-valued part of their family’s life. Of their five children, two have attended Discovery Point “from the infant room to the after-school program,” according to Mr. Karnaby. Their experience shows how Discovery Point not only helps its franchisees grow in their professional lives, but also enables them to own a successful business where family is truly the focus.

In addition to the Karnabys’ Suncoast Crossings and Trinity locations, our initial success in Tampa led to the opening of ten other Discovery Point centers in the area. One of these is Discovery Point Seven Hills. The center’s co-owner, Tim Sabba, has said Discovery Point was one of his top picks for franchise opportunities in the Tampa area: “When my business partner and I began looking for franchise opportunities, Discovery Point quickly shot to the top of the list.” 

Emphasizing the brand’s reputation in the area, as well as its ongoing support for franchisees, Sabba has suggested Discovery Point’s expansion in Florida is far from over. “I love that it’s not a cookie-cutter brand,” he explained. “It evolves as it grows. It’s a great franchise, with room for more centers in Tampa and surrounding markets.”

To Bradenton and Beyond

After experiencing success in the Tampa market, Bradenton is a natural next step for our Florida daycare franchise. We’re excited to note Discovery Point’s 48th location in the country, and 13th in the state of Florida, will be opening in 2020 in Bradenton. This center will be a family-run location, owned and operated by Dr. Roger Clough and Mrs. Robin Clough.

For over a decade, Dr. Clough was a Superintendent of Schools in the state of New York. During his tenure in this position, he successfully implemented a range of new programs focused on early childhood education, including broadening Pre-Kindergarten in his district. 

Clough will combine his extensive experience in this field with Discovery Point’s expertise to meet the specific needs of families in the Bradenton area. “I feel the curriculum programs created by Discovery Point will help nurture so many children at an early age and provide them with the tools they need to succeed in the future,” Clough says of his decision to work with Discovery Point.

Join Our Florida Daycare Franchise

While the Cloughs’ Discovery Point center is set to be the first of its kind in Bradenton, it surely won’t be the last. If you’re interested in becoming a business owner in the Bradenton area — or in any other Florida city — by joining our dynamic Florida daycare franchise, we encourage you to get in touch with us today. 

We have a range of franchise opportunities available for entrepreneurs looking to leverage their passion for working with children into a thriving business that makes a difference in the lives of local families.

Call Discovery Point today at 770-623-1140 for more information about joining our Florida daycare franchise.