Bubbles Academy

What Bubbles Academy does

Bubbles Academy is a privately held early childhood education company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates three physical locations — West Town/Bucktown (2184 N. Elston Ave and 2211 N. Elston Ave), Gold Coast (inside the 900 N. Michigan luxury shopping center), and Highland Park (1736 1st St.) — serving children from birth through age 6 and their caregivers across the Chicago metropolitan area.

The company's core offering is a proprietary arts-integrated curriculum that combines art, music, movement, and play-based learning, organized into age-staged programs (Babies 0-12 months, Toddlers 12-36 months, and a four-level Preschool Prep progression: Grown-up & Me → Independence → Gentle Separation → Preschool Bridge). Product surface extends to an arts-integrated preschool (Bucktown), Camp Bubbles (8-week summer program for ages 3-5), drop-in Open Play sessions at all locations, private birthday-party hosting, Pop In Art add-ons, On Demand virtual class recordings, and a Whole Child Arts publishing line of children's books and media. Booking, scheduling, and registration across all sites run through the HiSawyer platform, with marketing supported by Instagram, Facebook, and a content-marketing blog on child development topics.

Bubbles Academy generates revenue primarily through session-based class registrations ($120-$280 per 6-7 week session, with drop-in options), preschool tuition, Open Play ($18/visit or free for enrolled families), birthday-party bookings, and seasonal summer-camp enrollment. In March 2026 the company transitioned to a membership model offering unlimited open play and class sharing across locations at founding-member rates. The business is co-owned by Executive Director Natalie Monterastelli (MFA-equivalent in Educational Theatre from NYU, 20+ years in arts and education) and Andy Shlensky (operator of North Star Camp and The Road Less Traveled). The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed venture or private-equity funding and reports a headcount of approximately 30+ staff across locations.

Name

Bubbles Academy

Legal name

Bubbles Academy

Website

https://bubblesacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bubbles Academy is a privately held Chicago early childhood education provider operating three locations (West Town, Gold Coast, Highland Park), delivering arts-integrated preschool, caregiver-child classes, open play, summer camp, and birthday parties for children ages 0-6 and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Arts-integrated preschool
• Caregiver child classes
• Children enrichment programs
• Open play sessions

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Early Childhood Classes: Caregiver and child classes in art, music, movement, and preschool preparation offered in sessions with multiple class lengths (30, 45, 60 minutes). Revenue generated through session-based registration with per-class drop-in options available.
2. Preschool Program: Full-year arts-integrated preschool program for children, operating as a primary educational offering at the Bucktown location.
3. Open Play: Open play sessions at multiple locations with free access for enrolled families and pay-per-visit pricing for non-enrolled families at $18 per session.
4. Birthday Parties: Private birthday party hosting at all three locations with staff-managed events including set-up, entertainment, and clean-up services.
5. Summer Camp: Seasonal summer camp program for children ages 3-5 with daily, weekly, and full summer registration options.
6. Membership Subscriptions: Membership model introduced in 2026 offering flexible family plans with unlimited open play and class sharing. Founding member rates available for early enrollment.
7. Books and Media: Published books and media products including 'Three Hearts Two Houses' and 'Songs & Stories: The Great Train Adventure' available for purchase. A portion of proceeds supports Whole Child Arts free community programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bubbles Academy operates multi-location early childhood education centers in the Chicago metropolitan area, delivering arts-integrated preschool, caregiver-and-child enrichment classes (art, music, movement, preschool preparation, and skill development), open play sessions, summer camps, birthday party hosting, and community events for children from birth through age 6. The organization delivers its proprietary curriculum through in-person programming at three Chicago-area facilities and supplements it with a new flexible family membership model introduced in 2026.

Product overview

Bubbles Academy operates as an early childhood arts, enrichment, and parent resource center offering a multi-location portfolio of in-person programs centered on arts-integrated development for children from birth through age 6. The core offering consists of Caregiver & Child Classes (Art, Music, Movement, Preparing for Preschool, and Skill Development) and an Arts-Integrated Preschool, supplemented by seasonal Camp Bubbles summer programming and flexible Open Play drop-in sessions. Additional services include Birthday Party hosting, Community Events, Pop In Art activities, and On Demand virtual classes. The company has also developed a publishing arm, Whole Child Arts, producing books and media for children and families. All programming emphasizes whole-child development through play, creativity, and the arts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caregiver & Child Classes Weekly arts-integrated development classes for children ages 0-6 and their caregivers, including Art, Music, Movement, Preparing for Preschool, and Skill Development programs delivered at West Town, Gold Coast, and Highland Park locations.
• Arts-Integrated Preschool Full-year preschool program for children ages 2-5 located at 2184 N. Elston in Bucktown, featuring arts-integrated curriculum, a nature playground, and a gradual separation approach.
• Camp Bubbles (Summer Camp) Arts-based summer camp for children ages 3-5 featuring hands-on art, sensory exploration, music, drama, and outdoor water activities, running 8 weeks at the West Town location from 9am-1pm.
• Open Play Drop-in indoor play sessions at all three locations (West Town, Gold Coast, Highland Park) for children ages 0-6, featuring dedicated climbing structures, play kitchen, dress-up, and sensory areas; free for enrolled families and $18/visit for non-enrolled families.
• Birthday Parties Private party hosting for children's birthdays with classroom or outdoor playground venues, live music performances by Bubbles teachers, themed activities, and full event coordination at all three locations.
• Community Events Family-friendly community celebrations including holiday events, cultural celebrations, parent education nights, and seasonal gatherings open to the broader Bubbles community.
• Bubbles Academy Membership Flexible membership offering families unlimited open play and class sharing across all Bubbles Academy locations, designed to provide scheduling consistency for children and flexibility for parents.
• On Demand Classes Virtual class recordings, including Bubble Ballet and other programming, available for families to access remotely on their own schedule.
• Whole Child Arts Books and Media Published books and media celebrating emotional milestones, transitions, and the arts, including 'Three Hearts Two Houses' and 'Songs & Stories: The Great Train Adventure', available through the website and Volumes Bookstore with a portion of proceeds supporting Whole Child Arts free community programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• Children develop school readiness through progressive preschool prep program (Grown-up & Me → Independence → Gentle Separation → Preschool Bridge)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Whole Child ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Bubbles Academy's partner nonprofit organization providing free early childhood arts programming in Chicago. Natalie Monterastelli, the Executive Director of Bubbles Academy, is also passionate about championing the artist in every child through Whole Child Arts. A portion of Bubbles Academy book and media sales contributes to Whole Child Arts free community arts programming.
• Volumes BookstoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal Chicago bookstore where Bubbles Academy published books, including 'Three Hearts Two Houses' and 'Songs & Stories: The Great Train Adventure', are available for purchase alongside online sales through Square.
• Local Leaf FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with local farm providing fresh produce for educational experiences. Farmer Stefanie from Local Leaf Farms visited Highland Park location for storytime, bringing fresh greens for children to explore as part of farm unit curriculum.
• 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShopping center partnership providing space for the Gold Coast Bubbles Academy location. Parking validation available for up to 3 hours with $10 retail purchase anywhere in the shopping center.
• HiSawyercoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline booking and scheduling platform used for class registration, open play reservations, birthday party bookings, gift card purchases, and membership management across all Bubbles Academy locations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Little Gym: The Little Gym runs structured enrichment classes for children from 4 months to 12 years across a global franchise footprint, combining movement, gymnastics, and developmental learning. Highly comparable to Bubbles Academy on age range, parent-child class structure, and multi-location in-person enrichment model.
• BounceU: BounceU provides children's party hosting and open-play experiences in physical venues. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on the birthday-party hosting and open-play drop-in revenue streams.
• Gymboree Play & Music: Gymboree Play & Music operates play-based early-childhood classes for infants through age 5, including art, music, and movement programming across multi-site locations. Most directly comparable to Bubbles Academy on caregiver-child enrichment class format, age range, and arts-based curriculum.
• Romp n' Roll: Romp n' Roll offers weekly parent-child classes in art, music, movement, and gym for children ages 3 months to 5 years, plus birthday party hosting. Highly comparable to Bubbles Academy's full mix of caregiver-child enrichment classes and party services.
• My Gym: My Gym operates structured enrichment programs for children ages 6 months through 10 years across hundreds of franchise locations, including parent-child classes. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on parent-child class structure, multi-location physical delivery, and birthday-party hosting.
• Music Together: Music Together offers research-based music and movement classes for children from birth through age 8 and their caregivers, delivered through a worldwide network of licensed centers. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on the caregiver-and-child music class format and early-childhood age focus.
• Kindermusik: Kindermusik provides music-and-movement early-childhood education programs for children from birth through age 7, primarily through licensed educators and franchisees. Comparable to Bubbles Academy's music-class portion and the developmental-stage curriculum approach.

Broad incumbents

• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: Bright Horizons is the largest provider of employer-sponsored childcare and early education, operating thousands of centers globally. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on preschool and early-childhood programming but at vastly larger scale with corporate, employer, and full-day care models.
• The Learning Experience: The Learning Experience is a national preschool and daycare franchise serving children 6 weeks through 6 years across hundreds of locations. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on the preschool program offering and age range, but operates at much larger scale and broader curriculum scope.
• Primrose Schools: Primrose Schools is a national private preschool franchise with a Balanced Learning curriculum across 400+ locations serving infants through after-school age. Comparable to Bubbles Academy on the early-childhood education focus but operates at significantly greater scale as a franchise system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BubblesAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/bubblesacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bubbles-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles28 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bubbles Academy