Doodle Bugs! Children's Center Opens First School in Pittsburgh, Pa.

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Doodle Bugs! Children's Centers, a leading early childhood education provider, announced today the grand opening of its first Pennsylvania school in McCandless Crossing, located at the corner of McKnight Road and Duncan Avenue in suburban McCandless. Unlike typical daycare, Doodle Bugs! is education-based and teaches students through its innovative and proprietary BRAVO! Early Childhood Curriculum^®, which is focused on building the foundation of a child's cognitive, social, physical and creative development. By combining state-of-the-art facilities that feature pioneering curriculum, a two-story Doodleville indoor play village, spacious classrooms, huge outdoor playgrounds, biometric security systems and WatchMeGrow Internet-access, Doodle Bugs! is now meeting the growing demand for quality early education and child care in Pittsburgh.

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"Research evidence overwhelmingly shows that participation in a high-quality early education program makes a critical difference in a child's development of language, vocabulary, early math and social skills," said Anthony Insinna, CEO of Doodle Bugs! "At Doodle Bugs!, we are passionate about making a difference in the community and promise to deliver the best and most trusted early childhood education for the families in and around McCandless."

The new 14,000-square-foot facility is celebrating its grand opening on Friday, March 22 from 10 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Parents and children are encouraged to take a school tour and participate in Easter egg hunts and other activities while contributing to a book drive to benefit Heritage Community Initiatives. The McCandless school can accommodate 202 children, infancy through age 12, and employs a teaching team that includes a center director, more than 13 degreed teachers and over 25 teaching assistants.

"Our mission has remained the same since our inception more than 20 years ago — to build a community of happy children, happy parents and happy teachers," said Insinna. "We're eager to introduce families in and around Pittsburgh to the 'Doodle Difference' and look forward to becoming an integral part of the community while helping children reach their full potential." 

According to the Institute of Education Sciences and National Center for Education Statistics, more than half of all mothers enter the workforce within a year of a child's birth, and 87 percent of previously employed women are back at work within nine months. Combining these statistics with the billion-dollar early childhood education industry's surging potential and parents' demand for enhanced child care, Doodle Bugs! is uniquely positioned to grow rapidly across Pittsburgh and is currently seeking qualified franchisees to fuel its expansion.

In addition to the McCandless location, which will be corporate-owned and operated, Doodle Bugs! plans to open an additional five preschool franchise locations in Pittsburgh communities such as Cranberry Township, South Hills, Murrysville and Robinson Township, among others. Depending on the real estate selected, franchisees can expect the total cost of investment for one school to be approximately $428,875 to $952,500 for a leased Doodle Bugs! location and $1,928,875 to $4,395,000 to develop a Doodle Bugs! from the ground up. These investment ranges include a franchise fee of $65,000. For more information on Doodle Bugs! franchising in Pittsburgh, visit www.doodlebugsfranchise.com or contact Russ Gugino, Doodle Bugs! director of franchise development, at 866-668-5111.  

Founded more than 20 years ago by siblings Anthony, Clarine and Anna Insinna, Doodle Bugs! has remained family-owned and operated since its first center opened with 24 students. Today, the company is the official child care provider of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, operates more than 10 corporate and franchised locations from Upstate New York to Pennsylvania, and has expanded its 'Doodle Community' to more than 2,000 families.

About Doodle Bugs!
Since 1992, Doodle Bugs! has been building a community of happy children, happy parents, and happy teachers while being recognized as the leading child care and early education program in the Buffalo and Rochester communities. Doodle Bugs! provides high-quality child care and preschool programs that are second to none and exceed families' expectations for nurturing child care, early learning, safety, and convenience. For more information, visit www.doodlebugs.com.

Media Contact:
Chad Cohen
Fish Consulting
954.893.9150
[email protected]

SOURCE Doodle Bugs!