Filling America’s Childcare Gap: How Fortec is Building the Next Generation of Preschools

In communities across the United States, parents struggle daily with a daunting reality: the nation simply doesn’t have enough seats for its youngest learners. Pablo Barreiro, founder of Fortec, knows this all too well — and he’s on a mission to change it.

"Fifty-one percent of Americans live in what we call childcare deserts," Pablo explains. "For every child that needs a seat, there’s only one available." It’s this staggering mismatch of supply and demand that inspired Fortec’s new national fund — an ambitious effort to expand early childhood education infrastructure at scale.

From a Single Center to a Nationwide Vision

Pablo’s journey into this specialized corner of real estate didn’t begin in a boardroom but in the heart of his own community. "We were one of the biggest owners of downtown Hollywood properties," he recalls. "One day, we came across an early learning center for sale — the same one my daughter had once attended."

That first acquisition sparked curiosity. During due diligence, Pablo and his team discovered an overlooked niche with robust returns and an even stronger purpose. "We talked to that tenant and asked, ‘Are you growing?’ They said yes. That led to more centers in Palm Beach and Jacksonville. Eventually, we sold all our Hollywood properties to focus entirely on early education."

Meeting Unmet Demand — One School at a Time

Fortec’s model is clear: identify underserved communities, secure the right sites, and partner with operators to deliver best-in-class early learning centers. The typical footprint? "Buildings from 8,000 to 12,000 square feet with 6,000 to 8,000 square feet of outdoor playground," Pablo explains. "We usually need about 1.5 to 2 acres of land."

These aren’t the preschools many parents remember. Today’s centers often include specialized features — sprawling playgrounds, STEM-focused curricula, or Montessori methods — tailored to meet the diverse needs of families. "Parents should have options," Pablo says. "Maybe your child thrives in a Montessori environment, or maybe they need more time outdoors. We’re here to bring those choices to communities that have none."

Scaling Up with Technology — and Transparency

To help execute this vision, Fortec has teamed up with Agora, a platform that gives investors real-time insight into asset performance. "Owners like Pablo wear many hats — developer, operator, fund manager," says Asaf Raz of Agora. "Our goal is to support them behind the scenes so they can focus on growing their impact."

For Pablo, that investor trust is critical. Fortec has completed over $200 million in transactions in just five years, proving that childcare real estate can deliver attractive returns while addressing a deep social need. "This is a core-plus strategy," Pablo explains. "It’s a safe asset — national brands with decades of history — but with opportunistic returns because so few developers are doing it."

More Than Schools — It’s Community Impact

Each new preschool doesn’t just open its doors to young learners; it creates local jobs too — an average of 35 to 40 positions per location. And Fortec’s ambitions stretch beyond preschools. The company has already developed K–5 and K–12 campuses in Florida and is exploring larger projects in states like Texas.

"One developer alone can’t meet this demand," Pablo says. "Our hope is that in five to ten years, more institutions come into this space. The more players, the more we can meet the need."

Advice for the Next Generation

Asked what he’d tell aspiring developers hoping to enter the niche, Pablo keeps it simple: "Have a sense of urgency — time is money in real estate. And know your product inside and out. You have to explain it to cities, investors, and communities that might not understand the space yet."

Fortec’s blueprint is working — not just for investors but for families searching for reliable, quality care. From Florida to Washington State, the company’s vision is expanding, one much-needed preschool at a time.