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Alta Schoolhouse, a preschool that has operated in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood since 2022, plans to open a second Lakeland campus in Lake Morton at the former home of Little Sprouts Preschool. The move will mark Alta’s first expansion into care for one-year-olds and add licensed childcare capacity in central Lakeland, where many providers report long waitlists. 

Alta currently serves children ages 2 to 5 at its Carleton Street campus, where owners Thomas and Madison Brawner say families have repeatedly asked for younger-age care. 

“We’ve been looking for an opportunity to expand Alta in a way that allows us to serve more families while staying true to our model,” Thomas said. “This location stood out because of its proximity to our existing campus and its potential to become something really special with the right level of investment and care.” 

The Tennessee Avenue property is undergoing major renovation. No opening date has been finalized. 

“Lakeland has a real need for high-quality early childhood education,” he said. “Our goal is not just to add capacity, but to provide a level of care and environment that supports children, families, and educators well.” 

Alta expands near its original Lake Morton vision

Before opening Alta on Carleton Street, the Brawners first sought to launch in the South Lake Morton neighborhood. 

In 2019, they applied for a conditional use permit to open a preschool for up to 70 children at the historic Deen House near Frank Lloyd Wright Way and Success Avenue. The proposal drew mixed reactions from neighbors, with concerns centered on traffic, parking, and compatibility with the surrounding historic district. The family later withdrew the proposal and opened Alta nearby instead. 

Now, expanding only a few blocks away carries added meaning, Brawner said. 

“It’s meaningful. We’ve believed in this area and in Lakeland as a whole for a long time, and to now have the opportunity to expand here feels like a full-circle moment, especially since our journey started in the Lake Morton neighborhood.” 

New campus will add care for one-year-olds 

The Tennessee Avenue location will be Alta’s first to serve one-year-olds, a move Brawner said reflects the school’s most common family request. 

“Families have consistently asked for care for younger children. It’s our biggest request for sure from all of our Alta families,” he said. 

That expansion also comes with added operational demands: lower teacher-to-child ratios, specialized staff training, and classrooms designed specifically for younger children. 

“Expanding to include one-year-olds is a natural next step, but it requires a higher level of staffing, training, and environment design to do it well. That’s something we’re being very intentional about.” 

Alta expects the campus to serve about 87 students, similar to the site’s previous licensed capacity.

“The goal is to serve a meaningful number of families, while maintaining the quality and low teacher-to-child ratios that define Alta,” Brawner said. 

Renovations underway at former Little Sprouts building 

The building at 926 S. Tennessee Ave. is undergoing extensive renovation before enrollment begins. 

“The renovations will be comprehensive, as there was a lot of deferred maintenance on the building,” Brawner said. “Our goal is to bring the campus fully up to current licensing standards, while also aligning it with Alta’s safety, design, and educational environment.” 

Plans include updated classrooms, improved security systems, and redesigned outdoor play spaces.

Architectural plans are still being finalized, which will help determine a clearer opening timeline. 

Little Sprouts closed during ownership transition

Little Sprouts closed March 9 during the ownership transition, leaving families to quickly seek alternative childcare. 

Alta said the closure resulted from state licensing requirements during the transfer rather than a discretionary shutdown for renovations. 

Under Florida Department of Children and Families rules, a new childcare license must be issued before a new operator can legally run a center. 

Brawner said recent inspections identified noncompliance items and updated requirements that had to be resolved before a new license could be issued. Because those items could not be corrected and reinspected within the required timeframe, the facility could not continue operating. 

“Without a valid license, the school cannot legally operate,” he said. 

The previous license allowed infant care through preschool age, meaning the site was already configured for younger children. 

What families can expect 

Alta says the Tennessee Avenue campus will mirror many features of its Carleton Street location, including upgraded security, classroom transparency, and family events. 

“We’re excited to open our second location and continue expanding access to high-quality early childhood education in Lakeland,” Brawner said. 

The school also plans to bring seasonal events and other community traditions to the new campus.

“We’re looking forward to building a strong sense of community at this location and welcoming families into a space thoughtfully designed and aligned with the standards Alta is known for.” 

Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.

LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.

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