Family-Owned Since Day One. Never Private Equity.
Children’s Lighthouse was founded by the Brown family with a single belief: great early education changes lives — for children, families, and the owners who serve them. 29 years later, that belief still drives every decision.
Our Story
From One Family’s Vision to Thousands of Families Served
In 1997, brothers Mike and Pat Brown opened the first Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning School because they knew, as parents and uncles, that quality childcare was a growing need — and a growing opportunity. Their vision was simple: create a school they’d be proud to send their own children to.
More than 29 years later, that founding spirit still guides every decision we make. As a second-generation, family-owned company, we’ve never lost sight of what matters most: the children in our classrooms, the families who trust us, and the franchisee partners who make it all possible.
Today, Children’s Lighthouse has 100+ open and developing locations across the country, built on a proven model that franchisees and families alike continue to choose — year after year.
Excellence
Why Choose CLH
What Makes Children’s Lighthouse
Different
We’ve built a franchise system around four pillars that set owners up for long-term
success — and that no competitor can fully match.
A Proven Business Model
Time-tested systems and procedures built over 29+ years take the guesswork out of running your school. You’re not starting from scratch — you’re stepping into a blueprint that works.
Proprietary Curriculum
Our Lighthouse Pathways™ approach to early learning incorporates decades of research and experience. Families choose us because of our educational difference — and that drives enrollment.
Lowest Support Ratio in the Industry
We maintain the lowest franchisee-to-support staff ratio of any childcare franchise — meaning you always have an expert in your corner, not just a call center.
No Nights. No Weekends.
Unlike most businesses, Children’s Lighthouse operates Monday–Friday during school hours. You own a thriving business and still have evenings, weekends, and holidays with your own family.
Our Values
Guided by Integrity, Passion &
Purpose
Family First
Every franchisee, every child, every staff member — we treat them all as part of a larger family, because that’s how we started and who we are.
Integrity in Everything
From our FDD to our day-to-day operations, we operate with full transparency. What you see in discovery is what you get as a franchisee.
Passion for Education
We don’t just run childcare facilities — we run early learning schools. Our curriculum and teaching philosophy reflect a genuine commitment to child development.
Community Impact
Every school we open fills a real need in its community. Franchisees don’t just build businesses — they become trusted pillars of the neighborhoods they serve.
Owner Success
The way we see it, we’re in this together. Our proprietary technology platform provides transparency and enables best-practice sharing across the system.
Excellence in Care
We hold ourselves and our franchisees to the highest standards — because the children and families who trust us deserve nothing less.
Recognition
Nationally Recognized,
Consistently Ranked
Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition from the industry’s
most respected publications and organizations year after year.
By the Numbers
A Track Record That
Speaks for Itself
29 years of proven performance, transparent financials, and a franchise system built
for long-term owner success.
100+
Locations
29
Business
$2M+
69 reporting schools, 12 mo. open
805
Franchise Performance
Ready to Learn More About the Opportunity?
Take the next step and connect with our franchise development team
today — no obligation, just a conversation.