Kiddie Academy® of Florham Park under new ownership

Ph.D. in education transitions from professor at NYU to educational child care franchisee

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Nov. 3, 2026 // PRNewswire // -- Kiddie Academy of Florham Park, a franchise location of family-owned national child care provider, Kiddie Academy®, is under new ownership. The Academy, acquired in February 2026, is owned and operated by Nishant Kumar and his wife, Shilpa Sahay, who holds a doctorate in education, bringing a pedagogical perspective to families in Morris County. 

"My background gives me a unique perspective on early childhood development," said Sahay. "After completing my first master's degree in social work back in Delhi, India, I earned a second master's degree in international education in the U.S. followed by a doctorate in education from the University of Florida. For the past six years, I taught early childhood education master's students before transitioning to owning and operating an educational child care center of my own."

Since the ownership transition, Kiddie Academy of Florham Park has continued to thrive while retaining its veteran staff, many of whom have been with the Academy through its entire 13-year history. The facility remains accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) — a distinction that recognizes excellence in early childhood education and care.

To enhance student experience, the Academy partners with specialty providers to offer six enrichment programs including martial arts, music, dance, multi-sports, youth fitness and a coding program for children enrolled at the Academy.

"Ages 0 to 5 are the foundational years of a person's life," added Sahay. "Nishant and I want to ensure that children in our care get the strong start they need to pursue their interests and reach their full potential."

Kiddie Academy of Florham Park, which is located at 128 Columbia Turnpike in Florham Park, is licensed to serve 126 children and employs 25 educators. The Academy features eight classrooms, a modern outdoor turf playground equipped with age-appropriate play structures and live-stream camera access for families.

For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com/florhampark.

About Kiddie Academy®

Since its inception in 1981, the Kiddie Academy system has been recognized as a leading brand in educational child care. The company, headquartered in Maryland, serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care, and summer camp programs, through the Kiddie Academy system. The Kiddie Academy brand's proprietary Life  Essentials® Curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques  helps prepare children for life. The company's philanthropic efforts, including support of national nonprofit Family Promise and multiyear sponsorship of Johns Hopkins Children's Center, take character education lessons learned in the classroom beyond Academy walls. For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com.

About Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC

Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC is based in Abingdon, Md. and has received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system. There are currently more than 385 open Academies in the Kiddie Academy system, located in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 40,000 children. Each franchised location in the Kiddie Academy system is an independently owned and operated business. Kiddie Academy is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), signifying its commitment to quality professional education and training. For more information, visit franchising.kiddieacademy.com.

SOURCE Kiddie Academy

About Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy® serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full time care, before- and after-school care and summer camp programs.

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