LAST UPDATED: December 2025

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://franchise.celebree.com/

1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/celebreeschool

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 50+

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $922,500 - $7,379,500

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $2,019,104 (average net revenue for FY 2024)

Celebree School provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before/after-care and summer camps. The brand’s philosophy is that early childhood success is equal parts curriculum and connection; each school follows applicable state guidelines and a customized program for children’s physical, social, emotional and academic needs. Celebree is expanding with qualified franchise partners to replicate its corporate center model.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Celebree School?

About the Brand

Founded in 1994 by Richard O. Huffman, Celebree School began serving families in Maryland and Delaware and opened franchising in 2019. The company has grown along the East Coast and beyond with a focus on safe, supportive spaces for children and strong community ties.

Mission: “Grow People Big and Small” by empowering franchisees through steadfast support and proven, innovative educational programs that enrich families and communities.

Vision: To be the recognized leader in providing the best care for infants, preschoolers and school-age children.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

Purposeful Play and Child-Led Exploration: Celebree centers its curriculum on child-led explorations and purposeful play so children learn through curiosity and hands-on discovery.
Whole-Child Development Focus: The schools intentionally look beyond academics to support social-emotional growth, self-confidence, and emotional intelligence alongside early learning.
Continuity From Infant Care Through School Age: Celebree offers age-appropriate, curriculum-based programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children so families can stay with one trusted school as their child grows.
Research-Based, Seven-Domain Curriculum: The curriculum is aligned with standards and built around the Seven Domains of Learning to support development in cognition, social skills, independence, creativity, and more.
Warm, Safe Classrooms With Individualized Attention: Secure environments, low teacher-to-child ratios, and dedicated primary caregivers create warm, home-like classrooms where children feel safe and known.
Daily Communication and Strong Parent Partnership: Parents receive regular updates, conferences, and open-door access, and the program emphasizes close collaboration between families and teachers.
Experienced, Continuously Trained Educators: Celebree highlights passionate early childhood professionals who invest in ongoing professional development to bring both warmth and expertise to the classroom.
Stable Routines That Build Confidence and Love of Learning: Consistent schedules, age-appropriate activities, and a welcoming school family help children feel secure while building confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Celebree School?

Mission-Driven Brand With Guiding Values: Celebree’s mission to “protect, educate, and nurture” and to “Grow People Big and Small” shapes decisions for both the children it serves and the franchisees it supports.
Proven Business Model in an Essential Service Sector: The franchise is built on a tested early childhood education model that continues to demonstrate relevance and resilience even through economic uncertainty.
Clearly Defined Investment Plan and Financial Roadmap: Celebree provides a clearly defined investment plan, including project cost ranges and initial franchise and support fees, so candidates understand the financial commitment up front.
Expert Site Selection and Real Estate Support: Franchisees work with Celebree’s real estate team on demographic analysis, site selection, and build-out to position each school in a strong, family-friendly location.
Hands-On Accreditation and Compliance Guidance: The brand offers direct help navigating accreditation and regulatory requirements so owners can meet quality standards that families and regulators expect.
Comprehensive Training and Ongoing Operational Support: From initial training on operations, finance, and education to ongoing support and tools, Celebree positions franchisees with solid systems from day one.
Marketing and Enrollment Support to Build Demand: Franchise owners benefit from branding, local marketing campaigns, and enrollment support designed to help them attract and retain families in their communities.
Scalable Multi-Unit Growth Opportunities: The model is designed to let owners start with one school and expand through additional units over time, supported by development options and a scalable framework.
Recognition as an Emerging Franchisor Leader: Celebree’s IFA Emerging Franchisor Award and emphasis on comprehensive training and support validate its position as a rising franchise brand in early education.
Lower-Risk Entry Compared With Starting Independently: Compared with opening an independent center, franchisees gain an established brand, startup support, and a model designed for profitability, reducing many of the risks of going it alone.

Available Territories

Celebree is currently expanding across the U.S., with available territories in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The total initial investment to open a Celebree School varies based on the type of development. For a leased location with landlord-constructed improvements, the investment ranges from $922,500 to $1,293,500. A remodel of an existing space requires an investment between $2,627,700 and $3,323,500, while a new build on owned real estate ranges from $5,410,700 to $7,379,500. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Leased Location

Type of Expenditure	Min	Max
Initial Franchise Fee	$75,000	$75,000
Site Development Assistance Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Training Assistance & Opening Support Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Centralized System Initial Fee	$7,500	$7,500
Pre-Opening Temporary Welcome Center Expenses	$8,000	$13,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment & Toys	$160,000	$220,000
Startup Supplies & Inventory	$140,000	$190,000
Outdoor Playground Equipment & Surfacing	$90,000	$150,000
Transportation Vehicle & Associated Expenses	$8,000	$13,000
Information Technology Equipment & Software	$45,000	$65,000
Security & Electronic Access System	$20,000	$35,000
Exterior & Interior Signs	$12,000	$32,000
Professional Fees	$40,000	$50,000
Training Expenses	$2,000	$5,000
Pre-Opening Enrollment & Grand Opening Marketing	$6,000	$8,000
Insurance	$3,000	$5,000
Licenses & Permits	$4,000	$5,000
Lease/Security Deposit	$5,000	$40,000
Lease (3 Months)	$12,000	$15,000
Utility Deposits	$2,000	$6,000
Financing Costs	$0	$7,000
Pre-Opening Working Capital	$50,000	$75,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$125,000	$175,000

Remodel

Type of Expenditure	Min	Max
Initial Franchise Fee	$75,000	$75,000
Site Development Assistance Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Training Assistance & Opening Support Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Centralized System Initial Fee	$7,500	$7,500
Architectural, Civil Design, Permitting, Construction & Interior Improvement	$1,525,000	$1,755,000
Pre-Opening Temporary Welcome Center Expenses	$8,000	$13,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment & Toys	$160,000	$200,000
Startup Supplies & Inventory	$19,000	$25,000
Outdoor Playground Equipment & Surfacing	$140,000	$190,000
Transportation Vehicle & Associated Expenses	$9,000	$15,000
Information Technology Equipment & Software	$45,000	$65,000
Security & Electronic Access System	$20,000	$33,000
Exterior & Interior Signs	$12,000	$25,000
Professional Fees	$40,000	$50,000
Training Expenses	$2,000	$5,000
Pre-Opening Enrollment & Grand Opening Marketing	$60,000	$80,000
Insurance	$3,000	$5,000
Licenses & Permits	$4,000	$5,000
Lease/Security Deposit	$20,000	$45,000
Lease (3 Months)	$12,000	$15,000
Financing Costs	$161,000	$204,000
Utility Deposits	$2,000	$4,000
Pre-Opening Working Capital	$50,000	$75,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$125,000	$175,000

New Build

Type of Expenditure	Min	Max
Initial Franchise Fee	$75,000	$75,000
Site Development Assistance Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Training Assistance & Opening Support Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Centralized System Initial Fee	$7,500	$7,500
Architectural, Civil Design, Permitting, Construction & Interior Improvement	$1,525,000	$1,755,000
Pre-Opening Temporary Welcome Center Expenses	$8,000	$13,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment & Toys	$160,000	$200,000
Start-Up Supplies & Inventory	$19,000	$25,000
Outdoor Playground Equipment & Surfacing	$140,000	$190,000
Transportation Vehicle & Associated Expenses	$9,000	$15,000
Information Technology Equipment & Software	$45,000	$65,000
Security & Electronic Access System	$20,000	$33,000
Exterior & Interior Signs	$12,000	$25,000
Professional Fees	$40,000	$50,000
Training Expenses	$2,000	$5,000
Pre-Opening Enrollment & Grand Opening Marketing	$60,000	$80,000
Insurance	$3,000	$5,000
Licenses & Permits	$4,000	$5,000
Lease/Security Deposit	$20,000	$45,000
Lease (3 Months)	$12,000	$15,000
Financing Costs	$161,000	$204,000
Utility Deposits	$2,000	$4,000
Pre-Opening Working Capital	$50,000	$75,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$125,000	$175,000

Initial Franchise Fee: Franchisees must pay an initial franchise fee in a lump sum in the amount of $75,000 when they sign the franchise agreement.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Celebree School franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty	6% of gross revenue/week
Brand Fund Contribution	2% of gross revenue/week
Local Advertising	2% of gross revenue/week
Cooperative Contributions	0.5% of gross revenue/month
Centralized System Fee Currently	$1,450/month

ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 17 Celebree School franchised locations operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following net revenue:

Average	Median	High	Low
$2,019,104	$1,981,871	$3,431,706	$1,222,270

3. What Franchisee Support Does Celebree School Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

From the day you sign, you’re paired with a dedicated development lead who guides you through each milestone to opening. Real estate and construction stay on track with biweekly update calls, and the national call center begins acting as a sales touchpoint to spark early inquiries and build your enrollment pipeline.

Training Programs

Owners complete a three-week program that includes one week at Celebree’s training facility in Lutherville, Maryland, followed by two weeks on-site before opening. The team helps design classrooms and provides materials, curriculum tools and hands-on training so you launch with operational confidence.

Operational Support

As opening approaches, you’re assigned a franchise business consultant who remains your ongoing coach for performance and growth. A full-service marketing team supplies branding assets and enrollment playbooks, while the director of real estate supports site selection and approvals. You’ll also receive guidance on staffing, including defining the school director profile and hiring support.

Technology and Tools

Celebree equips you with CRM and a defined sales process to manage leads and conversions. The national call center integrates directly into your workflow, and classrooms run on established curriculum platforms, including Creative Curriculum for early learners and proprietary resources for school-age programs.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Celebree School?

Eligibility Criteria

Liquid Assets: $250,000
Net Worth: $750,000

No education degree required for franchisees, but directors require credentials. The brand works with owners to hire a qualified school director and to navigate state/local licensing.

Operational Commitments

Each Celebree School location requires a dedicated on-site owner or operator to maintain quality and consistency. If a partner fulfills that role, they must go through the full franchise vetting process to ensure alignment with the brand’s values and operational standards.

Multi-unit ownership is encouraged for qualified candidates, but every school must have a designated, qualified on-site operator supported by a capable management team to uphold Celebree’s high standards across all locations.

Funding Assistance

Celebree offers guidance and resources to help franchisees explore financing solutions that fit their situation. The brand’s development team assists candidates in connecting with preferred lenders and navigating available funding options during the discovery process.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

“My father is an entrepreneur. He always talked to me about the benefits of entrepreneurship. As I was getting older, to reach where you want to go you have to get into entrepreneurship — but what? We're in the middle of a pandemic. I am watching my four-year-old and my two-year-old, at the time, interacting and playing for probably the first time that I can honestly remember them really interacting with one another. I was looking at my two-year-old and seeing the wheels turning in his eyes … And this feeling of just calm and happiness just completely overwhelmed me. It was like, This is what you're made to do. You've been so unhappy for so long. This is where you're happy. How do you lean into this?”

- Mike Sapperstein, Multi-Unit Owner — Pennsylvania. Read his story here.

“These are childhood memories that will last a lifetime… we want to be the ones in our community to create them.”

- Katie Young, Franchisee — Nottingham, Maryland. Read her story here.

6. What Is the Market Potential for Early Childhood Education?

In the U.S., early childhood education and child care now represent a roughly $65 billion to $75 billion market, with analysts expecting mid–single-digit annual growth that could push revenues toward or above $100 billion by the early 2030s as more parents return to the workforce and policymakers prioritize access and quality. Early childhood education specifically is projected to add several billion dollars in revenue between 2025 and 2029, underscoring steady demand for programs that combine care with structured learning.

Competitor Analysis

Celebree emphasizes state-aligned curriculum, community engagement, comprehensive age coverage, and high-touch operational support, setting it apart in a growing industry. Comparable brands in the child care and early education franchise space include Primrose Schools, The Goddard School, Kiddie Academy, Lightbridge Academy and The Learning Experience, all of which compete for families seeking structured, nurturing educational environments. Celebree’s combination of local ownership and corporate-backed systems gives it a competitive edge among these national leaders.

7. What Is the Application Process for Celebree School Franchisees?

Initial Inquiry: You start by filling out the initial inquiry form with your contact information, financial qualifications and preferred territory so the team knows you’re interested and can begin the conversation.
Introductory Call: After your form is submitted, a sales director schedules a no-obligation call to learn about your background and goals and to share more detail on the child care business, market availability and next steps.
Application and FDD Review: If there is a good fit, you complete a more detailed franchise application while Celebree provides its Franchise Disclosure Document so you can review fees, responsibilities and the full scope of the opportunity.
Evaluation and Qualification: While you study the FDD, the franchise team evaluates your application and continues the back-and-forth conversation to confirm you meet the personality and financial profile for ownership.
Discovery Day: Qualified candidates are invited to Discovery Day at Celebree’s Nottingham, Maryland, headquarters to meet the founder and leadership team, tour schools and talk with existing franchisees about their experience.
Final Approval and Agreement Signing: Once both sides are confident in the match, you receive final approval and sign the franchise agreement, officially joining the Celebree School franchise family.
Site Selection and Build-Out: You work closely with Celebree’s real estate team to identify, secure and build out a location that meets the brand’s standards and fits your community’s needs.
Training and Preparation: Before opening, you complete Celebree’s training program to learn the operational, financial and educational systems you’ll use to run the school.
Opening Day and Ongoing Support: After your build-out and licensing are complete, you celebrate opening day with families while continuing to receive high-touch support in areas such as marketing, enrollment, real estate and business coaching.

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.

Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

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