Alysen Cuddy is the founder of Aspen Grove Preparatory School, a Tennessee-based early childhood and preparatory learning center built on the belief that children deserve more than supervision - they deserve intentional development.

Born and raised in New York, Alysen’s professional journey did not begin in a classroom - it began in environments centered around children. After college, she worked as a host at Chuck E. Cheese, where she discovered her natural ability to connect with families and her deep enjoyment of creating meaningful experiences for children.

Shortly after, she met her now fiancé and the young girl she now calls daughter. Becoming a mother (step) solidified something she had already begun to feel - she was meant to work with children. Alysen later homeschooled her daughter, guiding her through foundational academic years before she transitioned successfully into college in Tennessee. That experience shaped Alysen’s belief that structure, confidence, and individualized attention can transform a child’s trajectory.

Alysen began nannying for private families, her first being a three-year-old undergoing treatment for Leukemia. Supporting that family through such a fragile season strengthened Alysen’s commitment to providing stability, safety, and nurturing structure when children and families need it most. She continued working with multiple families over the years, homeschooling some, building long-term trust, and staying with families until children transitioned into school.

Through those experiences, Alysen recognized a consistent gap. Families were often forced to choose between dependable childcare, overall safety and well-being, and strong academic preparation. Encouraged by her fiancé, family, and the families she served, Alysen began building the foundation for her own center - one that would raise the standard.

In pursuit of greater opportunity and long-term growth, Alysen and her family relocated to Tennessee. There, she formally began constructing Aspen Grove Preparatory School from the ground up.

She has since:

• Completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) coursework and is preparing for her credentialing exam

• Designed structured curriculum systems using Brightwheel

• Creating training frameworks for future educators

• Built a comprehensive business plan

• Begun working with realtors to secure a location

• Consulted with the Tennessee Department of Human Services to ensure compliance

Aspen Grove is not an idea - it is a developed, structured plan ready for launch.

The vision, preparation, and operational groundwork are in place. The next step is securing the capital required to bring the physical space to life and serve families at scale. Alysen’s long-term ambition is to expand Aspen Grove into a multi-level preparatory and enrichment model that sets a new standard in childcare and early academic development - where safety, structure, independence, and intellectual growth are seamlessly integrated.

She is not simply opening a center. She is building a foundation.