Big Blue Marble Academy to bring new childcare option to Auburn

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Beginning spring 2019, the Auburn community will have a new childcare option in Big Blue Marble Academy, which is establishing a new facility in the Auburn Research Park, owned by the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation, or ARTF. The Big Blue Marble Academy will provide year-round childcare for children aged infancy through preschool, as well as after-school care.

“ARTF is fortunate to have a strong tenant with a long history of providing high-quality childcare and early learning programs,” said Larry Fillmer, executive director for ARTF. “Big Blue Marble Academy will be moving into a new facility that will support the continuing demand for childcare in our community.”

Located on approximately eight acres inside the Auburn Research Park, construction on the facility began in September with completion anticipated in early spring. The center will offer 14,000 square feet of state-of-the-art classrooms, learning spaces and outdoor playgrounds for as many as 225 children aged six weeks to five years and after-school care for children in grades K-6. Big Blue Marble Academy anticipates officially opening April 2019.

Offering a rich variety of learning experiences, Big Blue Marble Academy will provide a child-centered based learning environment through their developmentally appropriate curriculum utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In addition, the center will offer a highly engaging language immersion program in Spanish, French and Mandarin for all children.

With more than 25 centers operating across South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, the Auburn center will be the first Big Blue Marble Academy in Alabama. Scott Cotter, chief executive officer, and Bob Moffett, chief development officer, are both Auburn University graduates and bring more than 40 years combined management experience in early childhood education to Big Blue Marble Academy.

“The establishment of Big Blue Marble Academy marks the culmination of years of study on childcare needs within the Auburn community,” noted Cary Chandler, director of Business Development for ARTF. “This development is an important opportunity to enhance the quality of life for the Auburn community’s workforce while increasing the capacity of the Research Park as we welcome new tenants.”

Beginning Jan. 14, 2019, interested families can submit a pre-enrollment registration form and Big Blue Marble Academy will give registration priority to children of Auburn University’s full-time, benefits-eligible employees and tenants of the Research Park. For more information on Big Blue Marble Academy or for employment information, visit the Big Blue Marble Academy website.

The Auburn Research and Technology Foundation supports Auburn University and its Office of the Vice President for Research by growing the research enterprise through new contracts and partnerships, translating applied research into commercialized opportunities and new business ventures and providing an entrepreneurial business environment. ARTF is located in the Auburn Research Park, over 170 acres adjacent to the Auburn University campus. ARTF provides significant support to businesses in both their infancy and mature stages. The innovation ecosystem at Auburn University includes the Tiger Cage Accelerator and student start-up competition, LAUNCH faculty research competition, idea protection and marketing through the office of Innovation, Advancement & Commercialization, and the Auburn Business Incubator. To learn more, contact us at (334) 844-7480 or visit www.auburnrtf.org.

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