Rosewood Academy is a private preschool serving the needs of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, including Voluntary Pre Kindergarten (VPK). We have two locations in Jacksonville, Florida: Bartram Park, near I-95, and San Pablo, directly across from the Mayo Clinic.
At Rosewood, you’ll find management and teachers who are passionate about early childhood education. We strive always to love our children well, keep them safe and make every interaction a “teaching” moment. This is expressed in how we talk to your child, how we encourage interaction between students, and how we model good behavior by treating every child with dignity.
What sets Rosewood Academy apart?
- A clean, safe learning environment for your child.
- Nutritious breakfast, lunch and two snacks, including organic milk, fresh fruits and vegetables (morning snack for parents, too).
- New experiences for your child through in house field trips.
- Classroom transitions tailored to your child’s development.
- We were voted “Bold City’s Best Child Care Facility/PRE-K – 2019 & 2020”
Plus, our schools have maintained consistent NECPA accreditation. We’re not your typical Jacksonville daycare! Our students advance to kindergarten ready to learn.
Kelsey Blackford
Director, Rosewood Academy
We can honestly say there’s not a job Ms. Kelsey hasn’t done in a preschool environment. And she enthusiastically tackles each one, no matter how small, without complaint. Before joining Rosewood Academy in 2022, much of Kelsey’s classroom experience was as a lead VPK teacher. She also served in leadership roles, where she enjoys working with all age groups. Ms. Kelsey holds a national CDA, a VPK endorsed directors credential and is trained in many programs that keep a preschool running smoothly and children safe in her care. She is the proud mom of two school-age children, who influenced her calling to childcare. They love going to the beach together and riding go-karts.
Fun Fact about Kelsey: She grows almost all of her own fruits and vegetables! Her absolute favorite are datil peppers.
Jennefer Perez
Assistant Director, Rosewood Academy
Jennefer has worked with children since she was a teenager, including all ages and learning abilities, from newborn to high school. She started teaching in preschools in South Florida, beginning as a VPK teacher and, after relocating to Jacksonville, working as a Director. Early in her career, Jennefer served in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Airman. She holds her CDA and a VPK endorsed Director Credential and has been with Rosewood Academy Bartram Park since June of 2022.
Jennefer and her husband have been married for 22 years. They have three children, two teenagers and a twenty-year-old, plus three fur babies. She enjoys camping, reading and the beach.
Fun Facts about Jennefer: She would love to live off the grid, as long as it accommodated her sweet tooth and her obsession with Sharpies.
Jodi Nesmith
Area Director, Rosewood Academy
Jodi has been with Rosewood Academy since our first school opened in 2012. She has been a VPK teacher, Lead Teacher and was in the three-year-old classroom before being promoted into management. Jodi was named Director of Bartram Park and in 2019 was promoted to Area Director. Prior to our school, she gained a wide variety of experience in childcare while working in California and other centers in Florida. She attended First Coast Technical Institute and received her CDA as well as her Director’s Credential. Our children and their families adore Jodi and our teachers and staff thrive under her leadership.
Fun Facts about Jodi: She loves riding Harley motorcycles with her husband (she calls it “wind therapy”) and she also collects seashells. Rumor has it she has more shells than containers to hold them!
Jennifer Rainbolt
Director of Education, Rosewood Academy Jacksonville
Jennifer joined the Rosewood Academy team in 2018. She has an A.S. in Early Childhood Development Management, a CDA and an Advanced Level Director’s Credential. Jennifer has been in the child care field for 19 years, with most of that time spent teaching VPK. She first became interested in child care while in high school, after working with special needs infants. Jennifer’s love for teaching and caring for children continued to grow, leading her to the role of Director for San Pablo, in addition to providing curriculum development and teacher training for both of our Jacksonville schools. In her role as our full-time Director of Education, Jennifer assures our children have every opportunity to reach their maximum potential through a solid preschool experience.
Fun Fact about Jennifer: Jennifer is a Sports fanatic!
Caitlynn Edayan
Director, Rosewood Academy San Pablo
Caitlynn joined the Rosewood Academy team in 2017. She served as a lead teacher in the infant room and co-lead in VPK. She has also covered for teachers of other age groups and says she enjoys molding young minds. Caitlynn entered our Assistant in Management (AIM) training program in 2019 and earned a promotion to Assistant Director in December 2020. After completing her Directors Credential in November 2021, she earned a promotion to Director in March of 2022. She holds a national CDA and a Directors Credential Level 1.
Fun Fact about Caitlynn: In her off-time, Caitlynn enjoys long days at the beach collecting sharks’ teeth and is a diehard Jags fan. “Duuvall!”
Ashley Hauch
Assistant Director, Rosewood Academy
Ms. Ashley pursued a career in early childhood development beginning in high school. She has been a lead teacher for wobblers, toddlers, three-and-four-year olds (Michigan and Florida), but says she loves all age groups. Ms. Ashley earned an AS in Early Childhood Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville. She started with our school in 2015, took a break for her degree and motherhood and returned in 2018. She served in School Operations Support and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2022.
Fun Fact about Ms. Ashley: She loves sea turtles and crafting! Her beach-themed home features a mail holder she crafted with those lovable creatures.
Jodi Nesmith
Area Director, Rosewood Academy
Jodi has been with Rosewood Academy since our first school opened in 2012. She has been a VPK teacher, Lead Teacher and was in the three-year-old classroom before being promoted into management. Jodi was named Director of Bartram Park and in 2019 was promoted to Area Director. Prior to our school, she gained a wide variety of experience in childcare while working in California and other centers in Florida. She attended First Coast Technical Institute and received her CDA as well as her Director’s Credential. Our children and their families adore Jodi and our teachers and staff thrive under her leadership.
Fun Facts about Jodi: She loves riding Harley motorcycles with her husband (she calls it “wind therapy”) and she also collects seashells. Rumor has it she has more shells than containers to hold them!
Jennifer Rainbolt
Director of Education, Rosewood Academy Jacksonville
Jennifer joined the Rosewood Academy team in 2018. She has an A.S. in Early Childhood Development Management, a CDA and an Advanced Level Director’s Credential. Jennifer has been in the child care field for 19 years, with most of that time spent teaching VPK. She first became interested in child care while in high school, after working with special needs infants. Jennifer’s love for teaching and caring for children continued to grow, leading her to the role of Director for San Pablo, in addition to providing curriculum development and teacher training for both of our Jacksonville schools. In her role as our full-time Director of Education, Jennifer assures our children have every opportunity to reach their maximum potential through a solid preschool experience.
Fun Fact about Jennifer: She is a Sports fanatic!