We're With You FromDay One to Year Ten.
#1
Franchisee-ranked differentiator:
Our Support System
Lowest
Franchisee-to-support staff ratio
in the childcare franchise industry
40 hrs
Lighthouse Leadership Academy
Director training program
The CLH Difference
Second to None Support —
From a Team That Knows You by Name.
Support is the key focus at Children’s Lighthouse. Unlike large franchise systems where you’re a number in a queue, our franchisees have direct access to the entire leadership team — President, VP of Operations, VP of Franchise Development, Director of Education — all of them.
From site selection and construction through daily school operations, our experienced team walks every step with you. Our proven systems, ongoing training, and hands-on guidance let you focus on leading your school while we handle the knowledge transfer.
Franchisees consistently rank our support as their #1 differentiator when comparing Children’s Lighthouse to other franchise opportunities.
How We Support You
Every Phase. Every Step.
We’ve Got You Covered.
Our support framework covers the full journey from signing your franchise agreement
to running a stabilized, profitable school.
Development Support & Guidance
Regular bi-weekly calls keep you on track — covering marketing strategy, building development, financial pro forma input, competitive market analysis, and tuition rate guidance during your pre-opening phase.
Real Estate Site Selection & Construction
We partner with you to find your site and guide every step through approval. Once approved, our team works with you on drawings, plans, budgets, timelines, zoning, permitting, and pre-construction requirements.
Owner’s Training Program
Our experienced staff introduces you to vendors, reviews marketing strategies, and covers operational procedures — including childcare industry orientation, regulatory compliance, and 90-day pre-opening preparation.
Recruiting & Onboarding Key Staff
As opening approaches, we help you build your leadership team. We train owners to make strong hiring decisions and provide valuable feedback throughout. Once your Director is hired, both attend Lighthouse Leadership Academy.
Pre & Post-Opening Support
Before opening, our team is on-site to ensure classrooms, curriculum, and staff are ready. After opening, your dedicated Franchise Business Coach visits regularly and is available by phone, text, and video as frequently as needed — we don’t disappear once the doors open.
Financial Benchmarking
Our proprietary technology platform provides transparency across the entire franchise system — enabling best-practice sharing and financial targeting so you can set and reach your goals with clarity.
Training & Ongoing Support
We Prepare You to Open —
Then Stay by Your Side.
Our training gets you ready to launch with confidence. Our ongoing support ensures
you keep growing long after opening day.
Before & At Opening
In-Person Training at Franchise Support Center
Multiple weeks at headquarters covering operations, curriculum, marketing, financials, and culture.
On-Site Training at Your School
Hands-on in-field training at your actual location so you're ready in the real environment.
Marketing, Enrollment & Technology
Build your pre-opening waitlist, run local marketing, and master the inquiry management system before you open.
Operational Procedures & Compliance
Full training on our proprietary platform, regulatory compliance, and financial benchmarking tools.
After Opening
Franchise Business Coach — On-Site & On-Call
Your dedicated coach visits during your first months and every few months after. Available by phone, text, and video as often as you need.
Financial Benchmarking & Performance Tools
Our proprietary platform gives full transparency across the system — best-practice sharing and financial targeting to help you hit your goals.
Annual Conferences, Webinars & Direct Leadership Access
Stay current through regional meetings, CLH's exclusive webinar program, and direct access to our entire leadership team — not a help desk.
Lighthouse Leadership Academy
40 Hours of Dedicated
Director Training.
Once your school Director is hired, both you and your Director attend Lighthouse Leadership Academy — a comprehensive 40-hour program that equips your leadership team with the knowledge and skills to run the school effectively from day one.
This isn’t a manual and a wish of good luck. It’s an immersive, structured curriculum built from 29 years of operating experience in early childhood education.
40
Hours of structured
leadership training
29
Years of operational
experience built in
100%
Annual unit success
5 consecutive years
805
FUND™ Score —
Top Quintile Performance
See Our Support System in Action.
Talk to a member of our franchise development team — or hear directly
from our franchisees about what support really looks like inside
Children’s Lighthouse.