Kiddie Academy has expanded its presence in Brazoria County with the opening of a new educational child care center in Meridiana that can serve up to 191 children. Owner and operator Jenny Purvis told Charity Journal the academy focuses on play-based learning experiences designed to help children develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills during their earliest years.
Kiddie Academy expands with second Purvis-owned location
The new Kiddie Academy of Meridiana marks the second location owned and operated by Jenny and Derek Purvis, who previously opened Kiddie Academy of Rosenberg in 2019. The facility opened in December 2025 and includes 10 classrooms, dedicated infant and pre-kindergarten spaces, and outdoor play areas tailored to different age groups.
The couple did not arrive in education through traditional pathways. Jenny Purvis earned a degree in petroleum engineering and later completed an MBA, while Derek Purvis studied fire protection and safety engineering before the pair shifted their focus to early childhood education.
“Our focus is ensuring our educators are consistently following the Life Essentials curriculum and providing the engaging, play-based learning experiences it was designed to deliver,” Purvis told Charity Journal.
Their transition reflects a growing willingness among professionals from outside the education sector to invest in early learning programs as communities seek more child care options and stronger educational foundations for young children.
Early learning shortages remain a challenge
Demand for quality child care continues to rise across many parts of Texas as population growth places additional pressure on providers. For families in rapidly expanding suburban communities, finding available child care can be difficult, particularly when centers must balance enrollment growth with educational quality.
The challenge carries consequences beyond convenience. Studies have repeatedly linked high-quality early childhood education to stronger school readiness, improved literacy outcomes, and better long-term academic performance.
Access to child care also affects local economies. Parents who cannot secure reliable care often face disruptions to employment, reduced working hours, or difficult decisions about how to balance work and family responsibilities.
As communities grow, providers are increasingly being asked to serve not only as caregivers but also as some of a child’s earliest educators.
STEM learning begins before kindergarten
One area receiving greater attention in early childhood education is STEM learning. While science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are often associated with older students, many educators now believe foundational STEM skills can begin developing years before children enter elementary school.
Purvis said Kiddie Academy’s curriculum introduces STEM concepts through hands-on activities that encourage children to explore, ask questions, and solve problems. The academy also hosts an annual STEM event that allows families to experience those learning activities firsthand.
The approach aligns with a broader movement in early education that emphasizes curiosity, experimentation, and critical thinking over rote memorization. Educators increasingly view these skills as essential for helping children adapt to future academic and workforce demands.
The new center in Meridiana adds 191 child care seats in a region where demand continues to grow amid efforts to close the gap between the number of families seeking quality early learning opportunities and the number of spaces available.