We recently had the chance to connect with Laurie McCracken and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laurie, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of isn’t something you can see in a photo or measure on paper — it’s the culture we’ve built at Baby Fox Academy.
Behind the cheerful classrooms and smiling children is a deep sense of belonging, love, and respect among our teachers and families. We’ve created a place where people feel safe, valued, and supported — where teachers stay because they’re seen as professionals and humans, and where children thrive because they’re surrounded by connection.
That invisible heart — the kindness, consistency, and community that lives inside these walls — is what I’m most proud of. It’s the magic you can’t always see, but you can feel the moment you walk in.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the owner and director of Baby Fox Academy in Sarasota, Florida. I started Baby Fox almost ten years ago in my home with just a handful of children and a big dream — to create a space where children, families, and teachers all feel deeply valued, seen, and supported.
What began as a small home program has grown into two thriving centers that now serve more than 125 families and employ 22 amazing educators. What makes Baby Fox special isn’t just our curriculum — it’s our culture. We focus on whole-child learning through connection, emotional intelligence, and play. We believe strong relationships build strong brains.
We also care deeply about the people who make early education possible — our teachers. Baby Fox pays well above industry standards, supports continuing education through programs like TEACH, and invests in creating workplaces where teachers feel appreciated and proud of what they do.
Right now, we’re launching a new community initiative called Baby Fox Cares, which helps support our teachers and enrolled families who may be struggling. It’s another way we’re living our mission — by taking care of the people who take care of our children.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without a doubt, the person who saw me clearly before I could see myself was my high school child care teacher, Ms. Berta Reed.
She recognized my love for early childhood education long before I even understood what that could mean as a career. Ms. Reed nurtured that spark, challenged me to grow, and believed in me in a way that completely changed the course of my life.
Her encouragement set me on the path that would eventually lead to Baby Fox Academy — more than 30 years later. I’ve since reconnected with her, and I make sure she knows how deeply grateful I am for the role she played in shaping my journey. Her passion planted the seed for everything I’ve built today.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized it wasn’t a weakness — it was wisdom. The hard seasons taught me compassion, resilience, and how to lead with heart. Those experiences gave me the empathy to understand others more deeply and the strength to keep going when things get hard.
Instead of trying to forget the tough moments, I started using them as a reminder of how far I’ve come — and how strong we can all be when we lead with love. That shift changed everything: how I show up for my team, the way I connect with families, and the culture we’ve built at Baby Fox.
Turning pain into purpose became part of my story — and it’s what keeps me grounded, grateful, and passionate about what I do every day.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I rely on most come from my team. The teachers at Baby Fox are the heart of everything we do — they’re in the classrooms every day, building connections and seeing what truly works for children. Their insights guide so many of our decisions, from curriculum tweaks to family engagement ideas.
I also listen closely to our families. Parents give us such valuable perspective about what their children need and what helps them feel supported.
I’ve learned that the best ideas usually don’t come from the top — they come from the people living the mission every day. My job is to listen, support, and bring those ideas to life.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. I’ve known since high school that early childhood education was my calling — not because anyone told me it should be, but because it’s where my heart comes alive. There’s something sacred about being part of a child’s earliest experiences and helping shape the kind of world they’ll grow up in.
Building Baby Fox Academy has been the truest reflection of who I am — a mix of educator, nurturer, and advocate. It’s hard work, and it’s not always easy, but every smile, every milestone, every teacher who feels supported reminds me that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
This isn’t a job I chose — it’s a purpose that chose me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BabyFoxAcademy.com
- Instagram: @babyfoxacademyfl
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/lauriemccracken
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/BabyFoxAcademy
Image Credits
Sylwia Ok Photography
