Leslie Lucy, Founder and CEO of Orange Tree Christian Preschools, has always had a heart for children. From a young age, she naturally found herself caring for and guiding the children around her — a calling she would later recognize as God’s purpose for her life.
While raising her three children, Leslie discovered her deep passion for early childhood education and began a small home daycare. What started as a simple step of faith quickly grew into a bigger vision: not just to open a preschool, but to change the way preschool is done.
After studying Early Childhood Development, Leslie launched a pilot program in 2003 where the Orange Tree Teaching System was born — a faith-based approach focused on training character rather than managing behavior. Her desire was to help children grow not only academically, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually, while developing confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Since opening the first Orange Tree campus in 2006, Leslie has remained committed to equipping children, teachers, and parents with tools that build strong character rooted in faith. Today, her vision reaches beyond individual schools toward sharing this teaching system with families and educators around the world.
Leslie believes every child is a unique gift from God, and that when we invest in children early, we help shape stronger families, healthier communities, and a brighter future.
“When we change the way we do preschool, we are changing the world — one child at a time.”