Sunshine Enrichment Academy Opens in Lakewood
The new early education center serves children ages 6 weeks through 12 years at Grace Presbyterian Church.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Child Care
Sunshine Enrichment Academy has opened a childcare and early education center in Lakewood, located at 1659 Rosewood Avenue in the lower level of Grace Presbyterian Church. The center is enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 12 years.
Why it matters
The center offers families in Lakewood an additional option for early childhood care that combines play-based learning with sensory-friendly and developmental programming. Its founder opened the center after struggling to find childcare that met her own daughter's needs.
The center accepts children from 6 weeks to 12 years old and operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Founder Jerina Smith reports nearly 25 years of combined experience in childcare and special education, though the extraction does not provide tuition or capacity figures.
The players
Sunshine Enrichment Academy
A Lakewood childcare and early education center offering play-based learning and developmental programming for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years.
Jerina Smith
The founder of Sunshine Enrichment Academy, a licensed Intervention Specialist who holds a bachelor's degree in special education and a master's degree in autism spectrum disorders.
The details
Sunshine Enrichment Academy combines play-based learning, early academic experiences, sensory-friendly spaces, and indoor and outdoor gross motor development. Families are encouraged to schedule a tour and meet with staff to discuss their child's individual needs and goals.
Timeline
Smith began working in childcare shortly after high school.
Sunshine Enrichment Academy opened and began enrolling children on November 4, 2026.
Child Care Landscape
The opening reflects a broader pattern of small childcare centers founded by educators with special-education training, which address gaps families encounter in conventional daycare. Sunshine Enrichment Academy's emphasis on sensory-friendly spaces and individualized goal-setting places it within this model.
Families interested in enrollment can schedule a tour and meet with staff to discuss their child's needs before choosing the program. The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., which may help working parents plan drop-off and pickup.
The takeaway
Families seeking childcare can benefit from visiting a center in person and discussing a child's individual learning style before enrolling. Asking staff about credentials and daily routines helps match a program to a child's specific needs.
Further reading
For more options in the area, explore the Child Care section for additional local coverage.
More information
Visit the Sunshine Enrichment Academy enrollment and tour information page to schedule a tour or learn about enrollment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lakewood Observer -.
