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Why Children’s Lighthouse?
Our Story
From day one, the mission of Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools was built on one solid foundation: family. Today, as a leading educational childcare franchise dedicated to providing premium care and curriculum for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children, that family-driven mission continues to guide every decision. As a second-generation, family-owned company, we never forget that every franchisee and every child are part of a larger family, and we are committed to helping those families prosper in a variety of areas.
Passionate Franchisees
Unmatched Support
Support is the key focus at Children’s Lighthouse. We have the lowest ratio of franchised locations per support person in the industry, and franchisees have direct access to the entire leadership team – a significant advantage.
From site selection to daily operations, our experienced team is with you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and successful launch. Our proven systems, ongoing training, and hands-on guidance empower franchisees to focus on delivering exceptional early education while building a thriving business.
National Recognition
How Our Culture Stands Out
Family-Driven Culture
Family-Centered Flexibility for Franchise Owners
At Children’s Lighthouse, our family-focused culture is mirrored in our operational model, providing franchise owners with the flexibility to prioritize time with their families. With a dedicated Director managing day-to-day operations, owners can remain engaged in the business while enjoying a balanced lifestyle. This approach makes Children’s Lighthouse an ideal opportunity for those seeking meaningful involvement without sacrificing personal and family time.
Building a Better Future
Our educational programs serve as a guiding light for younger generations to achieve a brighter future. Our Lighthouse Pathways® approach to learning provides opportunities for individualized skill development, group learning, self-regulation, and inquiry-based investigation, with a focus on four key areas: Confidence, Connection, Continuous Improvement, and Curriculum.
Why Franchisees Love Children’s Lighthouse
Alexis Legg
Alexis Legg
“As a parent, you want a brand that is well-established and tested. These preschools all aim to achieve similar goals, but what sets this brand apart is the character value component of the curriculum — responsibility, honesty, humor, gratitude — these important life skills that are essential for children at this age. We are teaching them to read and write, but we are also creating little humans. I was impressed both as a parent and an educator. Last year, 45 of the 60 preschoolers we taught were accepted into the gifted program at their school, which is a huge testament to the brand.”
Julie Carter
Julie Carter
“I honestly never thought I would be a business owner, and without all the processes that Children’s Lighthouse has in place, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. Over the past seven years, I’ve found that if you adhere to the established processes, there’s a high likelihood of developing a well-rounded center that attracts families. Everything is planned out for you from start to finish. Everyone on the team has extensive experience, but this isn’t a big conglomerate. This is a family-owned business, and they have been by our side every step of the way.”
Hubert Vaz-Nayak
Hubert Vaz-Nayak
“The relationship with Children’s Lighthouse headquarters is a partnership. They trust us to understand our local markets better, and they listen when we suggest changes to fit local needs. It’s not adversarial — it’s collaborative.”
Kristi Noonan
Kristi Noonan
“I needed to do something that better aligned with changing priorities and made a difference in the world. What I was doing in marketing was about as close as I could get to making a difference in the world, but I needed to see a more direct impact in the work I was doing. It was the right time and opportunity, and Children’s Lighthouse gave us an opportunity to get involved in something with more purpose and ultimately give back to our community.”
Kelly Pritchard
Kelly Pritchard
“Training is excellent from a franchise standpoint, and the support is always there. The support is definitely key in asking and always having somebody to reach out to.”
Second to None Support | The Team Behind You
Michael Brown
President
Stephanie Russ
Vice President & General Counsel
Matt Kelton
Vice President of Franchise Development
Colin Berry
Vice President of Brand Development
Shelly Pair
Vice President of Operations
Dr. Kristi Smith, D.ED., M.ED., CFE
Director of Education & Training
Support & Training
Comprehensive Franchisee Support and Training
Our initial support educates franchisees on the site selection, lending, and construction/project management processes. Our comprehensive training program includes multiple weeks of in-person training at the Franchise Support Center, followed by several weeks of on-site training at the franchisee’s actual school.
Development Support and Guidance
Real Estate Site Selection and Construction
Owner’s Training
Recruiting and Onboarding Key Staff
As the opening date approaches, we support the franchisee in building their leadership team. While Children’s Lighthouse cannot make hiring or firing decisions, we train owners to be able to make their own hiring decisions by providing valuable feedback throughout the process.
Once the school Director is hired, both the franchisee and the Director will attend Lighthouse Leadership Academy, a comprehensive 40-hour training program that equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to run the school effectively.
Pre-Opening Support
Post-Opening Coaching
The Business Model
Operational Simplicity with a Leadership Role
The Children’s Lighthouse franchise model empowers franchisees to take on a CEO-level role, overseeing the business while leading a team managed by an experienced Director. During the first year, franchisees are expected to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week at their school, focusing on building a strong foundation and supporting their Director. From the second year onward, their involvement typically decreases to around 10 hours per week, as the Director takes charge of day-to-day operations.
The franchise model includes comprehensive training and support, equipping franchisees to effectively manage their business and empower their team. Built on a foundation of proven operational procedures and an acclaimed educational curriculum, the model reflects over 250 years of combined leadership experience, ensuring franchisees are set up for success.
Executive Business Model for Growth
Children’s Lighthouse also offers an executive business model, allowing franchisees to scale their operations or pursue other ventures. By hiring a skilled Director to run the daily operations, franchisees can focus on strategic oversight, growth planning, and business expansion. This model is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to open multiple locations or balance their involvement with other professional commitments.
Lifestyle Benefits with Family in Focus
Our family-focused culture provides franchisees with the flexibility to enjoy the benefits of business ownership while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Unlike many other industries, Children’s Lighthouse owners don’t work nights or weekends. The Director-led model also allows franchisees to take extended vacations during the summer and holidays, ensuring they can prioritize time with their families and personal pursuits.
At Children’s Lighthouse, we’ve designed a business model that offers franchisees the best of both worlds—an opportunity to lead and grow a meaningful business while enjoying the flexibility and lifestyle benefits that matter most.
Investment
The investment range to open a Children’s Lighthouse will vary depending on if the franchise owner leases or builds the school.
Brand Investment
Cost to Open Begins at $1,074,580
Liquid Asset Requirement Begins at $350,000
Total Net Worth Requirement Begins at $1,750,000
Financing
Children’s Lighthouse has national financing partners that we can connect you with to help make your dream of ownership a reality. We’re here to help put you in touch with our long-standing partners and help guide you through the process to review different financing options available to you.
Leased Schools:
A New Path to Ownership
Children’s Lighthouse, a leader in educational childcare franchising, is proud to offer a leasing option for franchise candidates seeking to open their own Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning School with a lower upfront investment.
Through our trusted partners in real estate, property management, and construction, we’ve made leasing a streamlined and viable option. These experienced professionals work hand-in-hand with our franchisees to simplify the process, providing support from project funding and site selection to groundbreaking and building completion.
With this collaborative approach, Children’s Lighthouse ensures that franchisees have the resources and expertise they need to bring their vision to life while maintaining the quality and excellence that have made us a trusted name in early education.
Children’s Lighthouse Emphasizes Safety and Transparency with a Technology-Forward Approach
Children’s Lighthouse has cultivated a unique experience for owners, team members, and families by consistently exploring new, tech-forward solutions and placing ongoing emphasis on innovation that enhances efficiency, safety, and transparency.
The majority of our technology is proprietary and developed in-house to meet the specific needs of our business. This approach allows us to more quickly make changes to technology that better support the needs of our franchisees and families. Whether it’s our digital parent boards or video monitoring powered by AI (artificial intelligence)—which is a game-changer—these tools give our schools and owners a unique advantage.
One of our biggest differentiators as a franchise that fully supports its franchisees are the tools Children’s Lighthouse offers to its franchisees and parents. One of those tools is ever-advancing and AI-assisted live streaming technology. This system allows parents to check in on their children throughout the day, offering peace of mind and fostering a deeper connection between families and schools. It also provides enhanced security and safety measures.
Another beneficial differentiator that makes us stand apart from the competition are the Children’s Lighthouse’s digital parent boards. This tool brings a new level of communication and transparency to each local school, enabling teachers and staff to make real-time updates about classroom activities while giving parents insight into recent events and upcoming plans. The digital parent boards also put forth a polished, impressive presentation that is visually appealing, which is important when new families are touring and trying to decide where they want their children to be cared for.
What Makes a Great Franchise Owner
In the growing industry of childcare and early childhood education, Children’s Lighthouse has carved out a distinguished reputation for providing exceptional care and foundational learning experiences. Aspiring franchisees interested in joining this respected network need to embody a unique blend of skills, passions, and values to ensure they uphold the brand’s standards and contribute positively to their communities.
Prospective franchisees should have the following:
- A Passion for Childcare and Early Education
- Strong Business Acumen
- Community-Oriented Mindset
- Leadership and Team Building Skills
- Financial Stability and Investment
- Commitment to Following the Model
- Commitment to Continuous Improvement
- A Genuine Interest in the Future and Well-being of Others
2. Brand Review
The brand review session is a longer virtual meeting that digs deeper into the business model, core values, and financials of the investment. If the match still feels like a good fit, the prospective franchisee moves along to dive even deeper into the financial requirements and funding options.
4. Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Review Period
The FDD is a treasure trove of information for prospective owners. After the franchisor is confident that the candidate will be able to qualify for a franchise, the team dives into the specifics. This includes the brand’s leadership team, start-up costs, training programs and financial representations. The FDD represents the franchisor’s and franchisee’s mutual obligations, so it is important to be very diligent during this stage.
6. Due Dilligence
Then, the due diligence process begins for the prospective franchisees. You’ll have a series of calls with existing franchise owners. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the opening process, what it takes to run the business day-to-day, and even more detailed questions about the financials.
You’re Now A Franchisee!
1. Initial Call and Qualification
The exciting journey to owning a Children’s Lighthouse franchise starts with the initial phone call. During this conversation, the development team and franchise candidate are learning more about each other to ensure alignment on key details. The Children’s Lighthouse team also takes advantage of this initial conversation to ensure prospective franchisees are clear on what the process will entail. Our support of franchisees starts during our first conversation with a prospective franchisee and continues throughout the life of the franchisee’s ownership.
3. Candidate Questionnaire
5. Funding Process and Territory Discussion
7. Discovery Day: Your Path to Ownership
Discovery Day is an exciting milestone in your journey to owning a Children’s Lighthouse franchise! The day begins with a tour of a Children’s Lighthouse school, where you’ll experience firsthand the care, learning, and operational excellence that define our brand.
Next, you’ll visit our Franchise Support Center in Fort Worth to meet with our leadership team, learn more about what makes Children’s Lighthouse special, and have your questions answered.
If everyone is aligned, you’ll receive your offer letter and move toward signing your agreement—officially joining the Children’s Lighthouse family!
1. Initial Call and Qualification
The pathway to owning a Children’s Lighthouse franchise starts with the initial phone call. During this conversation, the development team and franchise candidate are learning more about each other to ensure alignment on key details. The Children’s Lighthouse team also takes the chance to ensure prospective franchisees are clear on what the process will entail.
2. Brand Review
The brand review session is a longer virtual meeting to dig deeper into the business model, core values and financials of the investment. If the match still feels like a good fit, the prospective franchisee moves along to dive even deeper into the financial requirements and funding options.
3. Candidate Questionnaire
The next step is to fill out the questionnaire application. This is a high-level look at financials as well as a background questionnaire that asks why you chose Children’s Lighthouse, your reasons for doing this and why you think you are a good candidate.
4. Franchise Disclosure Document Review Period
The FDD is a treasure trove of information for prospective owners. After the franchisor is confident that the candidate will be able to qualify for a franchise, the team dives into the specifics. This includes the brand’s leadership team, start-up costs, training programs and financial representations. The FDD represents the franchisor and franchisee’s mutual obligations, so it is important to be very diligent during this stage.
5. Funding Process and Territory Discussion
The franchise prospect connects with preferred lenders to review SBA funding options and what the process looks like. The team also shifts its focus toward territory and real estate discussions during this stage to narrow down development plans.
6. Due Dilligence
Then, the due diligence process begins for the prospective franchisees. You’ll have a series of calls with existing franchise owners. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the opening process, what it takes to run the business day-to-day, and even more detailed questions about the financial costs and profitability — things that the franchisor legally can’t answer.
7. Discovery Day
One of the final steps of the investment process is Discovery Day. This is when the prospective franchisee will spend some time at the Fort Worth headquarters, meeting with company leaders. If the day concludes and everyone is on the same page, prospective franchisees can prepare for their offer letter. We’ll award you the letter, and then we’ll go into the agreement signing.
You’re Now A Franchisee!
Growth Markets
Children’s Lighthouse is strategically focused on developing in markets where there are existing schools in addition to markets with a strong demand for quality early education and childcare offerings.
With many of our competitors sold out in desirable markets, there has never been a better time to join the family!