Award-Winning Early Education Brand Celebree School to Open First Charlotte-Area School in Matthews

Local parent entrepreneurs welcome families in December; enrollment is now open for children six weeks through pre-K

MATTHEWS, N.C., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education for more than 30 years, is coming to the Charlotte area for the first time. Celebree School of Matthews will open in December at 1816 Galleria Blvd, Suite H, offering curriculum-based programs for children six weeks through pre-K. Enrollment is now open, and families are invited to schedule a tour and meet the team before doors open.

Local Parents Bringing a Proven Model to Charlotte
Celebree School of Matthews is owned and operated by Tim and Christine Barger, a husband-and-wife team and parents of three. Raising their own children taught them firsthand how much a caring, enriching early learning environment shapes a child's growth. That principle led them to bring Celebree's 30-year track record and award-winning curriculum to families in Matthews and greater Charlotte.

The Bargers pair that passion with decades of leadership experience. Tim has built his career in business leadership, operations, and strategic development, managing teams and scaling organizations. Christine spent more than 25 years in the software industry leading organizational transformation, customer relationships, and community engagement.

"As parents of three, we know the early years go by fast, and every one of them matters," said Christine Barger, co-owner of Celebree School of Matthews. "We chose Celebree because it combines a proven curriculum with teachers who are trained and coached to excellence, and that's exactly what Charlotte families deserve."

A Curriculum Designed for the Whole Child
Celebree believes success in early childhood is equal parts curriculum and connection. Every classroom is built around the Seven Domains of Learning, a research-based framework. The domains address children's physical, social, emotional, and academic development.

Through Celebree's partnership with Teaching Strategies, teachers bring those domains to life with The Creative Curriculum® and track each child's progress against developmental milestones using Teaching Strategies GOLD®, a nationally recognized assessment platform. Teachers share those observations with parents, along with ideas for reinforcing learning at home.

Teachers who are Trained, Coached, and Celebree Certified®
The Matthews team will be among the Celebree educators trained through Celebree Certified, the brand's new teacher certification program. It goes beyond state requirements to confirm every lead teacher is truly ready before taking charge of a classroom.

"The most important person in a child's day at Celebree is their teacher," said Tim Barger, co-owner of Celebree School of Matthews. "Celebree Certified means parents don't have to wonder whether the person leading their child's classroom is ready. They've been trained, observed, and proven before they ever lead on their own."

Growing People Big and Small™ in Matthews
Celebree's promise to Grow People Big and Small extends beyond the classroom to families and the wider community. In Matthews, that includes a strong relationship with the local police department whose officers will join the school for classroom visits and family events. The visits will aim to connect to Celebree's social learning, helping children get to know the community helpers in their own neighborhood.

"We want Celebree School of Matthews to feel like an extension of the community, a place where families, teachers, and neighbors all know each other," said the Bargers. "Children thrive when they feel safe, encouraged, and understood, and that takes a whole village."

Enroll Now and Meet the Team
Families can reserve a spot now and be among the first to join the Celebree community in the Charlotte area. Celebree School of Matthews will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., built around the schedules of working parents.

To schedule a tour or learn more about enrollment, call 704-251-0077 or visit https://www.celebree.com/matthews-nc 

About Celebree School
Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small™, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School's founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Celebree School