Celebrating 20 years, 2006 to 2026
Where little beginnings grow into big possibilities.
A family dream that became a community legacy
In September 2006, Deborah Pratts turned a simple idea into a lifelong mission. When she could not find a preschool that offered the quality of care and education she wanted for her then 18 month old daughter, Gianna, she decided, "I should open one myself!" She joined forces with her mother, Ginny Linkous, a retired schoolteacher, and her sisters, Elsa Cruz and Marisol Goodman, and together they opened the doors to Primavera Preschool.
What began as a family dream has grown into a 20 year legacy of educating, nurturing and preparing young children for success.
Deborah PrattsOwner
Ginny LinkousOwner
Elsa CruzOwner
Marisol GoodmanOwner
Built with purpose, designed for children
After seven years on a leased property, the family made another investment in their vision: they purchased land and designed and built a preschool center specifically for the children they serve.
From the beginning, Primavera was designed differently, with smaller classrooms, low teacher to child ratios, dedicated learning spaces, multiple playgrounds, and a full time custodian to keep the school clean, healthy and sanitized. Our campus has four playground areas, a tricycle trail, a jungle gym and swing park, a toddler playground, and a ball court, and one of our playgrounds is large and covered.
We believe children thrive when they feel safe, known, loved, and empowered to learn.
More than childcare
The first five years of life are full of growth. Our classrooms are structured around each child's developmental stage, so teachers can focus on the skills children need at each age, with a curriculum approved by the Early Learning Coalition. Our teachers nurture the whole child:
- Early literacy and language
- Math and problem solving
- Social and emotional development
- Independence and confidence
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Creativity and critical thinking
- School readiness skills
Quality, safety and accountability
- 20 years, one recordFor 20 years, Primavera has kept a perfect score with the Florida Department of Children and Families: zero violations, zero deficiencies, and never out of compliance.
- Gold Seal and APPLEPrimavera is Gold Seal Quality Care and APPLE accredited. Florida license C13HI0284.
- VPK, School Readiness and Step-UpWe take part in Florida's free VPK program, welcome School Readiness families from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and are a Step-Up provider.
- Safe and screenedEvery staff member has Level 2 background screening and CPR and First Aid. Parents enter with a private security code, follow the day in the Lillio app, and UV light in our air handler keeps the air cleaner.
What makes Primavera different
- Children are not just enrolled here, they are known
- Passionate, highly qualified teachers
- Low teacher to child ratios
- An intentional, age appropriate curriculum
- A clean, safe and nurturing environment
- Strong family partnerships
- Family owned, with decades of combined experience in education, business, HR and compliance
- Success measured by the confidence, knowledge, independence and love of learning our students take with them
20 years of growing together
For two decades, Primavera Preschool has served generations of children and families in our community. Twenty years later, the dream that began with one little girl has become a thriving school serving hundreds of children and families. Today we care for infants through VPK, with After School Care and Summer Camp for ages 5 to 10.
Thank you to every family who has trusted us, every teacher and staff member who has poured their heart into our students, and our community for letting Primavera be part of so many childhood memories.
