Building Blocks Learning Center Inc

What Building Blocks Learning Center Inc does

Building Blocks Learning Center Inc is a private early childhood education provider operating a network of 12+ licensed daycare and prekindergarten centers across Northeast Pennsylvania. Founded in 2001 with its first center on Route 315 in Wilkes-Barre, the company serves more than 1,200 children from six weeks through 12 years of age. Core programs span an age-sequenced pipeline — Infant (six weeks to 12 months), Primary/Toddler (one to two years), Preschool Prep (two to three years), Preschool, Pre-K Prep, Prekindergarten, Before & After School care, and Camp Blocks summer programming — delivered through a play-based curriculum grounded in the Conscious Discipline methodology. The company is led by President/CEO Lake Ryan Gemzik and Founder/COO Zubeen Saeed, with more than 160 educators and 200+ total staff including specialists and administrators; senior staff frequently have 10–20 years of tenure with the operator.

The operating footprint covers Wilkes-Barre (315, SOMA, Solomon locations), the Back Mountain / Dallas area (Lake-Lehman, Twin Stacks, Wycallis), Mountain Top, Kingston (West Side CTC), Hazleton (West Hazleton, with a dual-language program), and — as of 2025 — Scranton, with an affiliated location in the Lehigh Valley area (The Children's Center) and King's College ELC. The company holds Keystone STARS 4 accreditation, the highest rating available in Pennsylvania, and is licensed by the PA Department of Human Services (OCDEL) for infant-through-pre-K care and certified by the PA Department of Education for preschool and pre-K programs.

Building Blocks generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition — a subscription-style pricing model with weekly billing for supplementary before/after-camp care ($30/week before, $30/week after, $60/week combined). Supplementary streams include state and federally funded programs administered in-house: Pre-K Counts (free pre-K for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds) and Child Care Works / Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) administration for income-eligible families. Distribution runs through direct enrollment (online pre-registration, in-person tours), partnerships with three Pennsylvania school districts (Wilkes-Barre, Dallas, Lake-Lehman) plus Solomon-Plains Elementary for pre-K enrichment, and a corporate benefits partnership with i2M providing priority enrollment for employees' children.

Name

Building Blocks Learning Center Inc

Legal name

Building Blocks Learning Center

Website

https://buildingblockslearningcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Building Blocks Learning Center Inc operates 12+ licensed early childhood education centers across Northeast Pennsylvania, serving more than 1,200 children from six weeks through age 12 via a play-based, Conscious Discipline curriculum spanning infant through prekindergarten, before/after-school, and summer-camp programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wilkes Barre

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Childcare Fees: Tuition-based revenue from infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K, and before/after school programs. Multiple financial aid programs help offset costs for qualifying families.
2. Pre-K Counts State Funding: State-funded program providing scholarships for children to attend Pre-K at no cost for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. Revenue from Pennsylvania state government.
3. Child Care Works Subsidized Care: State and federal government funded program administered by BBLC as a recognized Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), helping low-income families pay childcare fees.
4. ELRC Administration: BBLC acts as a recognized Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) in the region, administering childcare subsidy programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Building Blocks Learning Center operates a network of physical early learning centers delivering age-sequenced early childhood education and childcare for children from 6 weeks through 12 years of age. Services span infant care, toddler programs, preschool, pre-K, before- and after-school care, and summer camps, delivered through a research-based, play-focused "Conscious Discipline" curriculum. Revenue is generated through recurring tuition, state-funded Pre-K Counts and Child Care Works subsidies, and a corporate childcare benefit partnership with i2M.

Product overview

Building Blocks Learning Center Inc operates as a network of early childhood education centers offering a comprehensive, age-sequenced curriculum spanning from infancy (6 weeks) through school age (12 years). The core product portfolio includes nine distinct programs: Infant Program, Primary (Toddlers) Program, Preschool Prep, Preschool, Pre-K Prep, Pre-K (Prekindergarten), Before & After School care, and Camp Blocks Summer Program. The company also offers specialized programs including the i2M Partnership Program for i2M employees and administers government-funded initiatives such as Pre-K Counts, Child Care Works, and the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). The organization operates multiple locations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and one in the Lehigh Valley area, with programs designed to prepare children for academic success through play-based learning approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infant Program Early learning program for infants from six weeks to 12 months of age. Provides nurturing care, supports emotional growth, and encourages first-year milestones through reading, singing, and age-appropriate sensory play activities. Designed for parents seeking regulated infant care with a developmental curriculum beyond basic babysitting.
• Primary Program Toddler program for children from one to two years of age. Blends nurturing care with fun learning activities to help toddlers develop independence while supporting social, emotional, and developmental growth through hands-on and age-appropriate activities.
• Preschool Prep Program Program for children from two to three years of age. Builds groundwork for social skills through hands-on activities teaching teamwork, problem solving, and critical thinking. Prepares children for the collaborative environment of preschool.
• Preschool Program Program for children approaching their third birthday. Focuses on building social connections and self-esteem through activities that engage heads, hands, and hearts while developing language, science, art, and math skills.
• Pre-K Prep Program Transitional program for older three-year-olds who missed the age cut-off for pre-K. Bridges the gap between preschool and prekindergarten, building upon foundations in language, science, art, and math while transitioning to more advanced lesson plans.
• Pre-K (Prekindergarten) Program School-readiness program for children from four to five years of age. Features engaging lesson plans and complex learning experiences focused on preparing children for kindergarten through academic preparation and personal growth.
• Before & After School Program Before- and after-school care program for children six years of age and older. Combines recreation and fun with homework assistance, offering full-time, part-time, and drop-in options including half days and snow-related closures. Delivered in collaboration with Wilkes-Barre, Dallas, and Lake-Lehman School Districts.
• Camp Blocks Summer Program Summer camp program for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade (ages 6-12). Features weekly themes, team sports, clubs, fun field trips, STEM activities, arts and creative projects, outdoor play, and wellness activities. Operates June 15th through August 21st at Lehman-Jackson Elementary School.
• i2M Corporate Childcare Benefit Program Exclusive childcare enrollment program for i2M team members. Provides priority enrollment at all Building Blocks Learning Center facilities across infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age programs as a corporate employee benefit.
• Pre-K Counts Program State-funded prekindergarten program providing free full-day pre-K education to eligible three- and four-year-olds in Pennsylvania. Part of the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts initiative administered through Building Blocks Learning Centers, with revenue from Pennsylvania state government.
• Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) State-supported program administered by Building Blocks as a recognized Early Learning Resource Center in the region. Helps qualifying families apply funding directly to tuition at Building Blocks Learning Centers for childcare services.
• Child Care Works Subsidized Care Subsidized childcare program helping low-income families pay childcare fees. State and federal governments fund this program, administered by Building Blocks as a recognized Early Learning Resource Center to apply funding to BBLC tuition.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,200 children serviced at any given time
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• i2McoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuilding Blocks partners with i2M to offer childcare services as an exclusive employee benefit. i2M team members receive priority enrollment at all Building Blocks Learning Center facilities. This partnership helps i2M attract and retain talent while providing quality childcare options.
• Wilkes-Barre School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Wilkes-Barre School District to provide before and after-school care programs for district students. Programs include full-time, part-time, and drop-in options covering half days, in-service days, and snow-related closures.
• Dallas School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Dallas School District to deliver before and after-school care programs. Students benefit from collaboration between district and Building Blocks educators to enhance educational progress.
• Lake-Lehman School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lake-Lehman School District providing before and after-school care. Students benefit from district's facilities, teachers, and staff. Programs include food services learning and gym access for indoor play.
• Solomon-Plains ElementaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Solomon-Plains Elementary for prekindergarten program enrichment. Students participate in enchanting adventures both at the center and through imagination.
• Lehman-Jackson Elementary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Camp Blocks program held at Lehman-Jackson Elementary School in Lehman, PA. Site for the 'Summer of Discovery' program for Kindergarten through 6th Grade.
• King's CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKing's College Early Learning Center (ELC) - an affiliate location providing early childhood education services. Also hosts Camp Leo summer program for King's College community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/share/19mVsB7kGD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/buildingblockslc
• Instagraminstagram.com/building_blocks_lc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Building Blocks Learning Center Inc