Our Core Purpose


History
Major Company Milestones
- 1998 First O2B Kids Supercenter Location Opens in Gainesville, FL
- 2003 2nd Location Opens
- 2004 3rd & 4th Locations Open
- 2006 5th & 6th Locations Open & O2B Kids Enters the Jacksonville, FL Market
- 2013 Beekeeper Management Software is Developed & Launched
- 2015 7th Location Opens & O2B Kids Enters the Orlando, FL Market
- 2016 Funnydaffer Curriculum Software is Developed & Launched
- 2017 8th Location Opens
- 2018 O2B Kids Serves as Operating Partner for the Child Center
- 2018 O2B Kids Partners with Spire Capital
- 2019 Honeycomb Communication Software is Developed & Launched
- 2019 O2B Kids Acquires 10 Preschools in St. Augustine, Palm Beach & Atlanta
- 2020 O2B Kids Completely Rebranded and Launched a New Website
- 2021 O2B Kids Enters the the Minneapolis, MN Market by Acquiring 4 schools
- 2021 O2B Kids Enters the the Georgia Market by Acquiring 8 schools with Cedars Preschool
- 2021 O2B Kids Acquires 1 new Tampa school
- 2022 O2B Kids Acquires 2 Tampa schools, 1 Orlando school and 2 Georgia schools
- 2023 O2B Kids Builds 4 new schools and Acquires 9
- 2024 O2B Kids opened 11 new schools in both current and new markets, entering Alabama
- 2025 O2B Kids Enters 3 new states: North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois
In the year 1992, two best friends, Andy Sherrard and Danny Stevens, embarked on a one-year journey around the world in search of adventure and excitement...and the meaning of life! During their travels, across oceans and continents, the pair discovered that even at the ripe old age of 25 they were living everyday “learning through play.” The concept sparked in each of them a deep interest in education...and they excitedly returned home to the swamps of Gainesville, Florida to begin planning the ultimate learning environment for kids.
The simple goal of this "new learning playground" was to help children find undiscovered passions, develop important life-skills, make new friends and experience daily laughter on their way to becoming responsible, respectful citizens of our world! No ordinary environment would do. An education “SuperCenter” would be needed - combining a magical play village for unscripted funanigans together with an organized calendar of daily classes - from the arts & sciences to fitness & fun - for specific skill development.
In 1998, the two dreamers saw their vision realized with the opening of the very first 34,000 square-foot O2B Kids SuperCenter. It was a grand celebration with over 1,000 O2B Kids members discovering the original concept of “learning through play.”
With the help of generous investors and a dedicated staff, O2B Kids grew...and grew...and grew. And, we aren’t done yet! We look forward to putting an ever-growing number of children and communities on the path to their very own "…happily ever after."
Welcome to the new learning playground!

Our Manifesto
We believe in kids. We believe a child’s job is to learn how to become a responsible, respectful, future citizen of our world.
We believe in learning by doing. We believe in trying new things. We believe in temporary failure and glorious success.
We believe in doing our best. Perfect is boring. Different is beautiful. Imagination is supreme.
We believe in getting dirty. Messy play is more fun than clean play.
We believe in respecting others, making friends, and laughing at ourselves.
We believe in emotion. We believe tears leave our body to find happy thoughts. We believe in joy.
We believe in learning from our mistakes...eventually. A bad decision is better than not making one. Learn from it.
We believe in booboo's, uh oh's, oops, and all better. We believe in skinned knees and dirty t's.
We believe in exercise. Sweat is the body celebrating effort. Running is freedom. Stopping is...painful.
We believe in grape juice smiles and spilled milk. We believe in cleaning up.
We believe in nature. Our planet is a gift. It's our responsibility to take care of it.
We believe in the individual. We control our own actions, thoughts, and words. Nobody else. Exercise this freedom with respect.
We believe in love. Everyday we should play. Everyday we should learn. Hugs are really, really great. So is ice cream.
We believe in choice. We believe in discovery. We believe in living every day as if it were our first. Read. Laugh. Dance.
We believe in the future. Leave no traces. Make good choices. Dream big dreams. Everything is possible. Everything is possible. Everything is possible. Be anything you want to be.
We believe in kids.

Giving Back
O2B Kids Founders’ Club Scholarships
Each year, O2B Kids awards Preschool, Afterschool and Membership Scholarships to children who inspire us - helping these kids grow into responsible, respectful citizens of our world.
These scholarships are named in honor of O2B Kids employees who have worked with the company for ten years or more. To date, more than $160,000 in scholarships have been awarded and this number will continue to grow as new Fun Crew members are inducted into our ten-year Founder’s Club!
O2B a Kid Again
This FUNdraiser supports the public school systems in the communities we serve. It’s a Grown-up’s Day to Play – the only day of the year that we open our facility only for adults! Live music, a huge silent auction, a bar-b-q dinner and many crazy games help adults remember the joy of childhood – in one special evening. This event has raised over $500,000 for our local public schools.
Parent Night Out Fundraisers
We host Parent Night Fundraisers for local charities, schools and civic organizations. Each event is themed and a portion of every child’s admission is donated to the participating organization.
Community Events & School Carnivals
Our face-painters and balloon artists are a mainstay at local festivals, school carnivals, art shows and fundraising events. It’s a great way to connect with the community and touch the lives of children.
Community Service
Our employees participate in the United Way campaign, volunteer in our local schools, and serve as board members on many local non-profit organizations.
Even Our Kids Give Back
Each year our students raise money and contribute to charities of their choice as well. Over the years, we’ve raised and donated money to the local Humane Societies, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital, UNICEF and the Red Cross. Our kids frequently organize and contribute to canned food drives, book drives and teddy bear collections as well!
Awards & Recognition
Over the years, we've been recognized by our community for the work that we do. Some of these honors are highlighted below.

The Gainesville Sun: Best of Gainesville
Best Child Care

Our Town FAVES
Favorite Local Preschool
Favorite Local After School Program
Gator100 award
World’s Fastest Growing Gator Businesses: #21/100

Tampa Bay Times: Best of The Best
Best Preschool
Best Youth Education/Recreation
WEDU PBS Kids Be My Neighbor Day Block Party
Most Spirited Booth

Our Town FAVES
Favorite Local After School Program
Favorite Local Day Care
Local Preschool
Inc. 5000 Award
O2B Early Education ranked No. 2019/5000

O2B Kids' 25th Birthday
O2B Kids celebrated 25 years of business in August 2023

The Exchange: The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine
Top 25 Preschool

Orlando’s Playground Magazine Family Favorite
Best Preschool
Best Summer Camp
Best Indoor Play Place
WEDU PBS Kids Be My Neighbor Day Block Party
Most Spirited Booth

Atlanta’s Best Self Magazine: Best of 2022
Nominee: Best Childcare Facility

The Gainesville Sun: Best of Gainesville
Best Afterschool
Best Child Care
Best Dance
Featured on 3 episodes Nationally Syndicated show, Meekah!
1. Meekah makes Elephant Toothpaste at O2B Kids
2. Meekah Dances at O2B Kids
3. Meekah explores Science at O2B Kids
Playground Magazine Family Favorite Awards
Nominee 2022
Non-Religious Preschool
Best Indoor Play Center
Parents Night Out
Best Birthday Party Venue (Age 1-6)
Macaroni Kid Seminole County Family Favorite Awards
Favorite After-School Program

Our Town FAVES
Favorite Local Child Care Center

Best of St. Augustine
O2B Kids named a top 3 company of 2020

Macaroni Kid Golden Daisy Award
Favorite Indoor Fun

The Gainesville Sun: Best of the Best
Best Place to have a Birthday Party

Nationally Accredited School
Association for Early Learning Leaders

Macaroni Kid Golden Daisy Award
Oviedo
Best Indoor Fun (Little Kids)
Best Childcare
Best Preschool
Macaroni Kid Golden Daisy Award
Altamonte Springs
Best Afterschool program
O2B Kids' 20th Birthday
O2B Kids was founded in 1998

Nationally Accredited School
Association for Early Learning Leaders

Macaroni Kids Golden Daisy Award
Oviedo
Best Childcare
Best Indoor Fun (Little Kids)
Runner up:
Best Preschool
Best Gym Classes
Best Art Classes
Macaroni Kids Golden Daisy Award
Altamonte Springs
Best New Business
Best Afterschool Program
Runner up for Best Gym Classes
Nationally Accredited School
Association for Early Learning Leaders

Best Customer Service
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce

Work of Heart Award
United Way

Spirit of Gainesville Award for Entrepreneur-ship
Gainesville Sun

Commissioner's Business Recognition Award
Florida Department of Education

Fastest Growing Education Company
Inc. Magazine

Top Five Best Places to Work
Jax Hot List

Jax Hot List
Best Family Fun

Business of the Year
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce

Work of Heart Award
United Way

Commissioner's Business Recognition Award
Florida Department of Education

Work of Heart Award
United Way



Recent O2B Kids Acquisitions
Technology Innovators
Safety & Security
Your Child’s Safety is Our #1 Priority
Our Building
- Secured Entry
- Video-Monitored Classrooms
- Open Classrooms with Large Windows
- Door Alarms
- Computer Check-in
- Staffed Reception Desk
- First Aid Kits
- Tamper Proof Electrical Outlets
- Age Appropriate Toys & Furnishings
Our Staff
- Three-Stage Interview Process
- Fingerprinting
- Criminal Background Checks
- CPR & 1st Aid Certified
- O2B Kids ProStart Training
- State Child Care Training Course – 40 Hours
- Annual In-Service Training – 40 Hours
Our Policies
- Facility Lockdown & Fire Drills
- Staff Uniforms & Name Tags
- Wristband Security
- Outside Agency Inspections – Department of Children & Families, Fire Inspector, Early Learning Coalition, Episcopal Children’s Services and our Accrediting Agency
- Open Door Policy for Parents – Visit Anytime
How to join our O2B Kids Family
Programs vary by location. Discover the options near you!
- Preschool
- Afterschool
- Membership
- Programs
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