Our Story

Discover why Rainforest Academy has become Fort Myers' most trusted preschool and childcare center. Learn about our family-owned approach to early childhood education and what makes us different.

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Our Programs

Age-appropriate Fort Myers preschool programs for children 1-5 years old. Small class sizes, play-based curriculum, and experienced teachers create the perfect learning environment for your child.

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Limited spots available at our licensed Fort Myers preschool! Spaces fill quickly due to our small class sizes. Schedule your free tour today and secure your child's place in our nurturing early learning program.

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Enroll Your Child in Fort Myers' Most Trusted Preschool & Childcare Center

Small Class Sizes, Play-Based Curriculum, and a Family-Centered Approach

At Rainforest Academy, Fort Myers’ top-rated preschool and childcare center, we believe every child deserves a nurturing, engaging, and personalized early education experience. Our small class sizes, play-based curriculum, and experienced teachers create a warm environment where your child can learn, grow, and thrive. As a licensed Fort Myers preschool serving children ages 1-5, we offer a comprehensive early childhood education program that supports social, emotional, and academic development—preparing your child for kindergarten and lifelong success.

Why Families Choose Us:

Strong Parent-Teacher Communication

Regular updates and open communication keep you connected to your child's progress at our Fort Myers preschool.

Play-Based Learning with Kindergarten Readiness

Our curriculum balances creative play with academic preparation, ensuring your child is ready for the next step.

Social & Emotional Development Focus

We nurture confident, empathetic children through age-appropriate social learning activities.

Safe, Secure, Licensed Facility

Licensed by the State of Florida (License C20LE0225), our Fort Myers childcare center maintains the highest safety standards.

Nutritious Meals Included Daily

Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided as part of our full-time childcare program.

Small Class Sizes for Individual Attention

Low student-to-teacher ratios ensure every child receives personalized care and instruction.

We understand that choosing the right Fort Myers preschool is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. That’s why Rainforest Academy is committed to building strong relationships with both children and their families.

Communication, trust, and consistency are the cornerstones of our approach. We value parent involvement and work together as partners in your child’s development. Many families throughout Fort Myers, Gateway, and Lehigh Acres have trusted us with their children’s early education since 2020.

In addition to our core Fort Myers preschool and childcare programs, we support early literacy, math readiness, sensory exploration, nature-based learning, and healthy daily routines. Our certified and experienced teachers are dedicated to creating safe, inclusive classrooms where every child is celebrated as an individual. We maintain small class sizes to ensure each student receives the attention they deserve in our nurturing Fort Myers childcare environment.

Whether you’re looking for part-time care, full-time Fort Myers preschool, or licensed daycare for your toddler, Rainforest Academy offers flexible enrollment options to meet your family’s needs. We provide a loving, educational environment that feels like home. Serving families throughout Fort Myers, Lee County, Gateway, Lehigh Acres, and Estero, we invite you to schedule a tour of our facility. Call (239) 590-8641 today to reserve your child’s spot at Fort Myers’ most trusted preschool and childcare center.

Parents Love Us !

    
 
 
        
   Emily Gleason 
 June 19, 2026
 
 
  So incredibly happy with Rainforest, we switched from a different daycare in the area and we love sending our 1 year old son here. He’s happy to be dropped off and you can tell everyone in the building cares.
  
 
       
   Derek H 
 March 5, 2026
 
 
  Choosing a daycare for your child — especially for the very first time — is such an emotional decision. As first-time parents, we initially enrolled our six-month-old daughter at another nearby daycare and unfortunately had a very difficult experience. It was enough for us to know we needed to find somewhere that truly felt right. From the moment we walked into Rainforest Academy, everything changed. Bridget, the director, and Rachelle, the owner, immediately made us feel seen, heard, and cared for. You can genuinely feel the love and compassion they have for what they do. It was clear they weren’t just running a daycare — they were creating a nurturing environment for families. Our daughter has been attending for about six weeks now, and I can honestly say I feel like I’m dropping her off at a family member’s home each morning. The love and attention she receives is overwhelming in the best way. When I hand her to Miss Bella, I know without a doubt she is going to be cared for, comforted, and loved. The communication has also been incredible. The updates throughout the day — feedings, naps, and especially the live videos of our daughter having the time of her life — give us so much peace and joy. Watching her smile and thrive means everything to us. We are beyond grateful to the entire staff for taking such amazing care of our daughter and for supporting us as we navigate this new chapter as parents. Rainforest Academy has truly been a blessing to our family.
  
 
       
   Kayla Larivee 
 September 24, 2025
 
 
  Rainforest Academy has been the blessing my son and our family needed when it comes to childcare. We had such a bad experience with daycares last year we gave up on it and had a family member watch our ADHD, SPD son. Every daycare we toured sang the same song about being understanding of children that needed a little extra help with emotions and regulation and being able to work with them, only within a week or two to turn around and tell us our son didn’t belong there. We experienced teachers physically forcing and restraining our son into a chair. One director even insinuated that we must have “discipline issues”..not understanding how helpless we already felt despite OT, diet changes, every parenting technique you could try. We tried everything and eventually were defeated by the system. After about 8 months we decided to put him in VPK to prepare for kindergarten and I was severely anxious and terrified of this experience. When I toured Rainforest I was upfront about our struggles and the director, Ms. Rachelle, expressed genuine sympathy and confidence that they would be able to help our son with his emotional and social development while also allowing him to be a 4 year old with feelings. All of the teachers were so nice and one had a 3 year old on her hip giving him a hug because he just needed one. Ms. Rachelle said “you see that often here” and I knew we had to give this place a try. We are approaching 1 month at Rainforest and my son is doing great! He is so happy to go when in the past I have had to pull out from under the kitchen table and force him to leave for daycare. He referred to past daycares as “the mean school.” Now he goes with confidence and excitement. Every day we are told about how he did and even when he has rough moments, we are assured it is nothing abnormal and that he is overall doing great. I don’t feel like I’m holding my breath waiting for a phone call or to be told we need to find somewhere else. I am so thankful and grateful for Rainforest Academy especially Ms. Rachelle & Ms. Bridget. If you are apprehensive at all about putting your child in VPK/daycare, this is the place to give a chance. They are exactly the type of people who should be working in this field.
  
 
       
   Stela Tereziu 
 September 2, 2025
 
 
  I am so grateful to have found this daycare/school. It’s a small and very involved school. It’s easy to tell how happy the teachers and staff are and this translates to the happiness of the kids. I feel my both my babies are safe and well taken care for here. My toddler runs in very day excited to be there.
  
 
       
   Jill G. 
 August 28, 2025
 
 
  Rainforest Academy has been better than we could have even imagined for our son. He started there when he was approximately 6 months old. Although we were apprehensive since he is our only child and it is his first time in daycare, the Rainforest staff had made the transition so smooth. They allowed us to come and do tours and answered all of our questions with detail and patience. We feel so fortunate that the timing of the opening of their infant room worked out perfectly in our favor. Their flexibility and the care they provide made Rainforest an easy choice for our family. The facility is clean and safe, and I feel confident that our son will be well taken care of each day when I drop him off. All of his teachers are so loving and patient and it is obvious that they all enjoy being there by the way they positively interact and are engaged with all kids. Each morning, our son is so excited to see his teachers which makes us so comfortable dropping him off. As an educator, I appreciate that our son is engaged in hands-on learning while also allowing the freedom for play and exploration. They communicate regularly through the Brightwheel App and the frequent pictures they send just brighten our day. Rainforest also provides diapers, wipes, and food which is an added bonus, and one less thing to worry about while getting ready. We are so grateful for his teachers and the love and care that they give him. They are all truly committed to the well-being, growth, and development of the whole child, and we are so lucky that we get to be part of the Rainforest family!
  
 
       
   Lisa DiGangi 
 August 11, 2025
 
 
  From the moment we walked through the doors, the warmth and friendliness of the entire staff at Rainforest Academy was undeniable. Every single person who works there makes us feel truly welcome, and it’s clear that they care deeply for each and every child — it honestly feels like being part of a big, loving family. My daughter, Amelia, had always stayed home with me while I worked, so I was naturally a little apprehensive about leaving her in the care of others for the first time. But the teachers at Rainforest Academy made the transition so much easier than I could have imagined. They are patient, nurturing, and attentive, which helped Amelia feel safe and comfortable right away. They keep in touch throughout the day using the Brightwheel app so I never have to wonder how’s she’s doing. The pictures they send of her are always such a treat and make my mom heart so happy. I’m so grateful for the loving environment they’ve created here — it’s more than just a preschool, it’s a community that truly feels like home. I can’t recommend Rainforest Academy enough!
  
 
       
   Brooke Knight 
 July 16, 2025
 
 
  Rainforest Academy has been so good to my children. After having a difficult time at a daycare in the area, we moved at 5 year old son and 1 1/2 year old daughter to Rainforest Academy. We were welcomed with open arms and lots of care. The staff and administration worked with our son to help him transition into a new school as well as helping him improve some behaviors. The children are happy and ready to go to school everyday, this school is truly a blessing to our family.
  
 
       
   Kelsey Mulloy 
 December 13, 2024
 
 
  I am incredibly impressed with Rainforest Academy.  Our first and only grandchild is thriving here.  I watched him for his first year of life and was apprehensive to daycare until Rainforest.  He is happy and is learning so much.  His vocabulary has increased in one year to the point he can hold a conversation.  I appreciate Rachelle's attention and concern for safety and care of each child.  She and her director are open to conversation and are great with advice.  They are welcoming to our entire family whenever we come to get our lil squish.  Ms. Maria and Ms. Mo have been with our squish since he started, and we see how much they love him and all the children. As an overprotective Nana, I would not hesitate one moment in recommending Rainforest Academy.  The Mulloy Family
  
 
       
   Rachel Zinman 
 October 28, 2024
 
 
  My daughter was very shy, so I was apprehensive with her starting preschool. As soon as we walked in, I knew it was the right place for us, and it’s been such an excellent experience. The staff are all so caring and amazing!! They gave her the attention she needed for such a big transition, and checked in with us to let us know how she was doing. She’s now come such a long way socially and learned so much. She’s a social butterfly now! She looks forward to school and doesn’t want to leave at pickup!
  
 
       
   Lionel Ash 
 October 25, 2024
 
 
  Rainforest Academy is an absolute treasure and a gem of a preschool. They are patient, kind, great at teaching, respectful, loving, and warm. It's been truly a pleasure sending our daughter here, and I have only the highest esteem for the business and its wonderful, caring staff. I only wish I could rate this place higher than five stars!
  
 
       
   Cleo Baum 
 August 30, 2024
 
 
  Rainforest Academy has been an absolute blessing for my daughter and our family. From the moment we first visited, I knew this was the right place for her. The environment is warm, welcoming, and filled with a sense of adventure that perfectly aligns with the school's name. The staff are incredibly nurturing and attentive. They genuinely care about each child's development and well-being. My daughter has flourished under their care, growing not only academically but also emotionally and socially. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to balance structured learning with creative play, fostering a love of exploration and discovery. One of the standout aspects of Rainforest Academy is their commitment to providing healthy and fresh meals every day. As a parent, it's reassuring to know that my child is being well-nourished while she's at school. The open-door policy adds to the comfort of knowing that I can always be involved and informed about my daughter’s day-to-day activities. It truly has that family-run business feel—warm, personal, and always evolving. The school is constantly introducing new props, toys, and activities, ensuring that the environment stays engaging and never becomes boring for the children. The facility itself is spotless, and the staff are some of the friendliest people I've ever met. I feel confident that my daughter is in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment every time I drop her off. I couldn’t be happier with our experience at Rainforest Academy, and I highly recommend it to any parent looking for a nurturing, educational, and inspiring place for their child.
  
 
       
   Patricia Pedrezzetti 
 May 31, 2024
 
 
  2023-2024 Another year at Rainforest and we couldn't be happier that our 2-year-old daughter is part of the Reb Ibis group. From the moment she arrives, the teachers welcome her with a smile and a hug. We have noticed great progress during this year, both academically and socially. I feel that it is our "safe place" because, when we are traveling for work, we know everything that happens in time and through various channels (phone, app), also they share photos of their day which makes us feel closer. I’m so happy to have found Rainforest back 2022 and I can’t wait to see how our daughter continue develops with them!! 2022-2023 Our 5 year old is enrolled here; and we are sooooo happy where our daughter spends her days learning and having fun! We moved from Argentina and finding a quality and caring preschool with bilingual teachers seemed impossible. We are so grateful to have found Rainforest, VPK program and their teaching mode to help transition from one language to another. Our daughter loves it! She has already learned a lot and every day she feels more comfortable speaking English. Also, soon our 1 year-old will start summer camp and daycare. If you are looking for a place with open / on-time communication, where all the staff are friendly, proactive, loving and careful with your children … this is the place ❤️
  
 
       
   Brooke Kilmer 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
  Rainforest is FAMILY!! I started taking my daughter here in January after coming from another center. Whenever you first walk in, the atmosphere is always so light and cheerful. Ms. Rachelle (the owner) and Ms. Bridget (the director) are always there to greet you with a smile everyday. They are very personable and understanding. You can go to them for anything regarding your child! Then, walking through the center, one will notice that there are no full walls. They have half walls. As a mother, I actually found this very unique and comforting. Everyone can see everyone, on top of the surveillance cameras they have recording 24/7. This made me feel very safe. I have nothing but good experiences and words to say about the daycare itself and the staff that work there. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and you can tell that each and every one who works there has a passion and love for children. They truly strive to make it a safe and fun learning experience everyday. Definitely recommend!!!
  
 
       
   Hunter Fuqua 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
  Rachelle and staff at Rainforest Academy were wonderful to work with when looking for a school.  The kids LOVE it there and always come home happy.
  
 
       
   Sandibel Santizo 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
  Rainforest is such a special place! Rachelle does an amazing job pouring her heart and soul into the school. I always recommend Rainforest to my south Fort Myers friends and family!
  
 
       
   PersonifiedMoon 
 November 2, 2023
 
 
  Our son started attending Rainforest Academy in September and our son absolutely loves it. Every morning he’s enthusiastic about going to play and learn with his friends. Our son also started talking a lot more and is now able to count up to 10! He’s always surprising us with what he’s learned here.
  
 
       
   Hailey Mulloy 
 October 27, 2023
 
 
  My son just started here in September and he is thriving. I was worried as he had not been around other children yet and had never been to daycare or in a daycare setting, how he would react, but he loves it here. The teachers and everyone who works there treat him like one of their own. My son loves all the attention and affection he gets. It's a small daycare and I think that allows them to be able to give all the individualized attention each student needs. In the short-time he's been there, his sleep has improved tremendously. He doesn't fight us on it at home anymore for naps or nighttime. He's improved playing by himself a lot, as we - parents - normally would have to be with him playing. It's allowing me a little more free time to get some things done. I think the structure is helping him be more independent. I can't recommend Rainforest Academy enough and thank them for such an easy transition to the family. Check them out; I know you won't regret it. :-)
  
 
       
   Amber Jones 
 August 21, 2023
 
 
  As a first time mom, who’s spent the daytime with my daughter for two years, I was super apprehensive about her starting daycare. She’s only been at Rainforest for about 3 weeks now and we both absolutely love it there. From the first phone call, I knew Rainforest was where I wanted her to attend. I didn’t get to meet Rachelle the first visit or two, but she made sure to reach out and welcome us to the school. She also reassured me that my daughter was adjusting just fine and that she’s here to help me with whatever she can. Super genuine and relatable. She makes her presence known at the school and is very hands on with the children. They updated the app with so many pictures her first few days, which definitely helped me to be more ease. I look forward to seeing the updates on the app with details regarding her day and pictures of her enjoying herself. The attentiveness and the care that they show every child, has helped to make this an extremely smooth transition. You can literally feel the passion and joy that each staff member has for taking care of children. Everyday we walk in, she’s greeted with smiling faces and joy from all of the staff. I’m so happy to have found Rainforest and I can’t wait to see how my child develops with them!!
  
 
       
   Jeanine Carriero 
 August 2, 2023
 
 
  Oh my goodness, I can not say enough about this fabulous daycare!! The owner is hands on and her staff is remarkable.  The love and attention the child needs they get. We couldn't have asked for a better experience for our granddaughter! SO thrilled my daughter found this amazing daycare, along with the best staff EVER!!!
  
 
       
   Aerin Bland 
 July 24, 2023
 
 
  We made the switch to Rainforest Academy after being at another establishment for just under 2 years in June. To say that this momma's heart wasn't weary during this switch, would be an understatement. The staff have been nothing short of wonderful! They have answered any question I had, big or small; they allowed us in for a few tours, so both dad & myself could see the space; & have been so welcoming to my little one each time she walks through the door. We've been able to make this transition a positive one because of the staff's willingness to help & support us through it. There is always a kid on someone's hip. The hugs & support that any of the littles need at any time are readily available. The staff takes notice in the children's likes & makes sure to use those likes to help make the kids' days more enjoyable. I'm not sure how many times a day they listen to Moana or Elsa belt out their songs, but they do it with enthusiasm! The communication through their app is an added bonus. I like being able to login & get a snap shot of my child's day. I also love being able to see pictures of things that she is enjoying throughout her day. The experiences that she has had in the short time she has been with Rainforest Academy have been nothing short of enriching & fun. We will be transitioning from part time to full time in August & I am looking forward to many more magical moments for my little one.
  
 
       
   Dave Rouzard 
 July 7, 2023
 
 
  My girls have gone here for about 2 years and they never want to leave! It’s a fun space for them and the staff here is amazing from the Directors Rachelle & Bridget to Miss Jenny & Emily. Truly the best and I am forever thankful! Go Rainforest!
  
 
       
   sara pierson 
 July 6, 2023
 
 
  It’s a very small but lovely daycare! I love this daycare it’s small but compared to my first daycare my son attended this has been a lovely experience and I recommend everyone to this daycare
  
 
       
   Taylor Boudreau 
 July 5, 2023
 
 
  Very happy with rainforest academy and the staff! Everyone is very welcoming. My daughter absolutely loves it!! It has been 2 years since my last review. My daughter is going to be starting VPK this year at rainforest. We moved roughly an hour away and STILL make the drive because no other facility compares to rainforest. We are so thankful for all the amazing ladies here at Rainforest!
  
 
       
   Tiffany Maillet 
 March 3, 2023
 
 
  We toured many daycares, and with my older children, have experienced 3 different daycares in the past. This is by far one of the top centers in the area. My daughter loves going to “school” and she is taken care of so well. The thought of having someone else raise my daughter while I’m at work is hard, but I am thankful it’s with a few wonderful women who care for my daughter the way I do.
  
 
       
   lydia egich 
 January 25, 2023
 
 
  Absolutely wonderful. I could not have asked for a better place to send my child for the first time. I received updates and photos of my child regularly. You can tell that the teachers love the kids, and the kids are comfortable with them. The bar has been set very high.