Steve DiNunzio, franchise owner of the Lightbridge Academy Early Childhood Education facility, Bethlehem Township, recently held a ceremonial brick laying at his new facility in Upper Macungie Township.

The academy will occupy 50 percent of the new construction site at 249 Cetronia Road and is scheduled for completion before the end of 2018.

On hand for the ceremony were: Guy Falzarano, founder and CEO, David Falzarano, vice president of development, and Mark Mele, senior vice president of development, all with Lightbridge Academy; Kathy Rader, supervisor and Bob Ibach, manager, both with Upper Macungie and Heather Semple, director at Lightbridge Academy.

The program is designed to provide early childhood education and social skills for children from 6 weeks through kindergarten.

Every interaction between children and staff members is geared to be an educational opportunity as well as build social skills.

There is a summer day camp program for older children to attend during summer vacations.

The academy is licensed for around 160 children when fully operational.

Thirty-five employees, the majority part time workers, will provide the education and child care needs at the academy.