Imagine a school drop-off where tears and fears are replaced by a child’s genuine urge to play, explore and wander — using their own imagination.
From infants to pre-K, children at Elite Learning Academy & Preschool enter a creative environment that is more a community than a preschool. More of a family than a class full of kiddos. Recently named Omaha's Choice Award Winner for Daycare, Elite Learning Academy & Preschool continues to grow as one of the Omaha metro's most trusted early childhood education providers.
With four locations serving Omaha, Elkhorn, Gretna and the Tiburon area, Elite Learning Academy & Preschool continues to expand its mission of providing high-quality early childhood education to local families. Most recently, Elite opened its newest location, Elite-Blondo, in Elkhorn in March 2026 to help meet the growing demand for childcare and preschool programs in West Omaha and Elkhorn.
Allison Acero, cofounder and CEO at Elite, said a crucial aspect of their success is the personal attention to detail, dedicated and experienced teachers, and an environment that balances learning and love in equal measure.
“We are a family,” Acero said. “Every day when those kids walk in, everybody knows their name. They are all greeted individually and encouraged to just have a really great day. Oftentimes, parents are like, ’Well, I guess, we’ll see you later then,’ as their kids don’t even look back during drop-off.”
Each classroom is thoroughly designed to spark curiosity, inspire creatively and support holistic development through a research-based, teacher-developed and play-centered curriculum. Titled Elite Minds, it is designed for children ages six weeks to six years and incorporates interactive elements that focus on literature, math, science, art and play. Elite's teacher-developed Elite Minds curriculum combines purposeful play, hands-on learning, and kindergarten readiness skills to help children build confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
“We’re getting feedback about our former students who have gone on to kindergarten and their parents are telling us how well prepared their children are from day one there, so that’s been kind of awesome,” Acero said.
Brittany Pijewski, cofounder and vice president of operations at Elite, said the curriculum focused on hands-on learning opportunities that feature different manipulations and sensory items to teach children how to complete various tasks. Every day consists of morning circle time, outdoor and indoor gym play, motor-skill exercises, rest time and various structured activities that reinforce the day’s skills.
“It’s not just paper and pencil learning all day,” Pijewski said. “It’s a lot of imaginative play at stations that could be anything from grocery stores and flower-making setups to banks and gas station play areas. And while they are playing, they are utilizing the skills they are learning throughout that particular day.”
Both Acero and Pijewski joined forces seven years ago after searching for a space that would provide their children with that “home away from home” feeling. They had met a few years earlier when Pijewski had taught Acero’s son at a previous preschool. All four of Pijewski’s children have attended Elite.
“We just want parents to know that when they can’t be with their kids during the day due to work and other circumstances, that their kids are in a safe, welcoming place, where teachers are doing their very best,” Pijewski said. “We want parents to trust that we are making the right decisions for the well-being of their children every second we are with them.”
Acero said another benefit of the family-owned, locally operated academy is the transparency built into the school’s culture. In addition to an open-door policy, parents can check in on their children throughout the day via the Brightwheel app, which provides classroom updates, photos, and direct communication with teachers. Teachers distribute updates and newsletters and converse with parents during daily drop-offs and pick-up, strengthening that parent bond along the way.
Year-round, the academy hosts multiple events and seasonal extracurricular celebrations that bring the families and children together. These include everything from family nights and dances to “muffins with mom” and back-to-school themed party nights. The school also schedules frequent field trips throughout the community.
“It’s truly a family environment,” Acero said. “That will always be the focus for us because that is so important to us.”
For more information or to schedule a tour at one of Elite Learning Academy & Preschool's four locations — Elite-Blondo (Elkhorn), Elite-Gretna, Elite-Oak Street, and Elite-Tiburon — visit elitelearningacademyandpreschool.com.
