100+
29
Top 400
Ranked
Accredited
Our Story
Family-Owned Since Day One. Never Private Equity-Backed.
Children’s Lighthouse was founded by the Brown family more than 29 years ago with a single belief: that great early education changes lives — for children, families, and the owners who serve them.
Unlike many franchise brands, we have never sold to private equity. Our decisions are made by people who care about the long game — not quarterly returns. That means our franchisees have a partner with aligned interests, a proven system, and a culture built on real relationships, not corporate hierarchy.
When you join Children’s Lighthouse, you join a family. You’ll know us by name, and we’ll know yours.
Executive Ownership Model
Lead the Business. Don’t Run the Classroom.
Children’s Lighthouse is designed for owners who want to build and lead a business — not work in it day-to-day. Our model allows you to operate at a strategic level, with a trained leadership team managing daily operations.
What That Looks Like
You Lead as the CEO
Focus on strategy, growth, and financial performance — not classroom operations.
Your Director Runs the School
An experienced Director and Associate Director manage staff, curriculum, and day-to-day execution.
Structured Support at Every Stage
From pre-opening through ongoing operations, our team helps you build and lead with confidence.
Built for Real Life
This isn't a nights-and-weekends business.
🌙 No nights 📅 No weekends 🎉 No major holidays
As your school stabilizes, many owners transition to a more flexible schedule — often around 10 hours per week focused on oversight and growth.
Why It Matters
- Maintain your current career (if desired) during early stages
- Create long-term flexibility for your family
- Scale into multiple locations without being tied to daily operations
post-stabilization
Built Different. Proven Different.
There’s No Other Franchise Like This
Two decades of refinement have produced advantages that competitors simply can’t replicate.
You Own an Asset, Not Just a Business
A Real Estate-Backed Investment
Our real estate ownership model means you’re building a physical asset alongside your business — creating equity that compounds alongside enrollment growth. This is a rare combination in franchising.
Lighthouse CARES Curriculum
The Curriculum Parents Seek Out
Our proprietary 29-year-refined CARES curriculum is what creates waitlists while competitors have vacancies. Parents transfer their children specifically to enroll in it. It’s your most powerful marketing asset — built into your franchise.
Proven Support System
We’re With You From Day One
From site selection and construction to pre-opening enrollment and ongoing operations, our support team is a phone call away — not a help desk ticket. Franchisees consistently rank our support as their #1 differentiator.
Pre-Enrollment Advantage
Your Waitlist Starts Before Your Grand Opening.
Our locations are built to be recognized from the road — and from day one, our pre-opening marketing playbook is built to generate enrolled families before you unlock the doors — so you’re not starting from zero, you’re starting ahead.
Investment + Purpose
A Business Built for Both
Children’s Lighthouse delivers what few investments can: strong financial returns and
real-world impact — every single day.
Recession-Resistant Demand
Childcare is an essential service. Parents still need it in downturns — making this a uniquely stable investment in an unstable economy.
Transparent FDD Financials
We lead with the numbers. Our Item 19 financial performance representations are available at your first conversation — no digging required.
Real Asset Ownership
The real estate you build becomes an asset that compounds over time — unlike most franchises where you’re simply leasing your business.
Legacy That Outlasts You
You’ll serve 180-250 children daily. Families return for siblings, refer neighbors, and carry your impact through generations.
Second-Generation Ownership
Many CLH owners are passing their schools to their children — not just building a business, but building a family legacy.
Purpose-Driven Returns
Franchise owners consistently rank purpose as their #1 reward. The financial returns are strong. The reason to get up every morning is even stronger.
The Children's Lighthouse Difference
You Don’t Just Open a School. You Build a Landmark.
The iconic lighthouse architecture isn’t just beautiful — it’s a business advantage. Families recognize it from the road during construction. Communities embrace it as an institution.
- Proprietary architectural design that stands out in every market
- Purpose-built facility owned by you — not leased
- Local marketing support from pre-opening through full enrollment
- Inquiry management system and community engagement playbook
Opened 2023
Videos & Webinars
Hear From Our Franchisees and Leaders
Watch real conversations — no scripts, no pitch decks. Just honest stories
from the people inside Children’s Lighthouse.
Hear from our leadership team about what makes CLH a category-defining franchise opportunity.
Real owners share what it’s like to build a business and a legacy with Children’s Lighthouse.
See the Lighthouse CARES curriculum in action and why it creates lasting enrollment demand.
Ashley and Jeremy share why they chose Children’s Lighthouse.
Second to None Support | The Team Behind You
Michael Brown
Stephanie Russ
Matt Kelton
Colin Berry
Shelly Pair
Dr. Kristi Smith, D.ED., M.ED., CFE
Financial Transparency
We Show You the Real Numbers. Upfront.
Too many franchisors make you dig for the numbers. We lead with them. Our Franchise Disclosure Document includes Item 19 financial performance representations so you can model your investment before any commitment.
- Full Item 19 financial data available at first meeting
- Detailed investment range breakdown by cost category
- Revenue benchmarks by location age and market size
- Royalty structure with volume reduction tiers
- Third-party financing relationships available
2024 Average Gross Revenue (69 Reporting Schools, ≥12 months open)
$2,003,082
Per FDD Item 19 — 36 of 69 schools (52%) met or exceeded this average. Median: $2,036,394. Individual results vary.
Royalty Rate
7%
Of gross revenue
Royalty Rate
7%
Of gross revenue
*All financial figures are sourced directly from Children’s Lighthouse FDD Item 7 and Item 19. 2024 Average Gross Revenue based on 69 franchised schools open and operating as of December 31, 2024, open for at least 12 months. Some outlets have earned this much. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much. This is not a guarantee of performance. Please review the full FDD with your advisors.
Why Franchisees Love Children's Lighthouse
In Their Own Words
Hear directly from the owners building their legacies with Children’s Lighthouse.
Growth Markets
Now Awarding Franchises in High-Demand Markets
Children’s Lighthouse is strategically expanding in markets with strong demand for quality early education. With many competitors sold out in desirable territories, there has never been a better time to join the family.
We focus development in communities where growing families are actively seeking premium childcare — and where our landmark architecture will stand out from day one.
Active
Texas
DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin
Florida
Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville
Georgia
Atlanta metro & suburbs
Active
Ohio
Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati
Colorado
Denver metro area
Tennessee
Nashville, Memphis
North Carolina
Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham
Arizona
Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson
The Path Forward
From First Conversation to Opening Day
Most owners go from first inquiry to ribbon-cutting in 12–18 months.
Here’s what that journey looks like.
01
Submit an Inquiry
Fill out a short form — no obligation, no pressure. We’re looking for the right fit, not the fastest close.
02
Introductory Call
A 30-minute conversation with our franchise development team. Every financial question answered honestly.
03
Brand Presentation
A deeper dive into the full opportunity — the investment model, financial performance data, and our support system.
04
Review the FDD
Receive the full Franchise Disclosure Document, including Item 19 financial performance data. Take all the time you need.
05
Discovery Day
Visit our Texas headquarters, tour an operating school, and talk one-on-one with current franchise owners.
06
Sign & Site Select
Finalize your franchise agreement and begin the site selection process with our real estate team.
07
You’re Now a Franchisee.
Construction, training, pre-enrollment marketing, and a full launch playbook. Then welcome your community’s children — and begin building your legacy.
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!
Common Questions
Everything You Want to Know
Honest answers to the questions every prospective franchisee asks.
What makes Children's Lighthouse different from other early education franchises?
Is Children's Lighthouse family-owned or private equity-backed?
Do I need to quit my current job to own a Children's Lighthouse?
What role does the owner play in the business?
Do owners need an education or childcare background?
How does your curriculum support differentiation?
Do you provide financial performance or earnings information?
How long does it take to open a school?
What are the steps after I inquire?
Do owners lease or own the real estate?
Who is the ideal Children's Lighthouse owner?
Take the First Step
Get the Free Franchise Guide
A clear, honest look at the Children’s Lighthouse opportunity — full investment details, Item 19 financial data, real estate model overview, and franchise owner interviews. No sales pressure. Just information.