Children’s Lighthouse, the early learning franchise with over 70 locally owned and operated schools across the country, 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 boosts efficiency, safety and transparency.
“The majority of our technology is proprietary and built in-house to meet the specific needs of our business,” said Colin Berry, vice president of brand development for Children’s Lighthouse. “This industry is unlike any other, and taking that approach allows us to make changes to technology to better support the needs of our franchisees. Whether it’s our digital parent boards or video monitoring that’s powered by AI [artificial intelligence], which is a game-changer, these tools give our schools and owners a unique advantage.”
Elevating Student Safety and Parent Engagement Through Live Streaming
One of the most powerful tools Children’s Lighthouse offers its franchisees and parents is PB&J TV's 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.
“We are the video streaming platform for Children’s Lighthouse, and it’s one part parent engagement, two parts safety and compliance for the schools,” said Bobby Franzo, CEO and co-founder of PB&J TV. “It also doubles over as a security tool, training and management as well.”
Franzo noted that PB&J TV’s video streaming is high definition and easy to watch, compared to other security-type camera systems that can be pixelated, glitchy or otherwise unclear. Depending on the school’s setup, this technology can be used to allow parents an in-the-moment look at their child’s classroom, help directors ensure proper student-to-teacher ratios or even leverage AI to detect danger and initiate a quicker response.
“I like to think about the cameras in the context of a new parent who has just dropped their child off for the first time. The child’s crying, they may be crying … They get in the car thinking, ‘What have I done?’” said Shelly Pair, vice president of operations for Children’s Lighthouse. “Then, our teachers can send a picture of the child interacting with others in the classroom. The parent can go about their day, thrilled that their child is having a great time. When they get to work, they can even log into the live stream and see, ‘My child is playing and having fun! All is well.’”
For many parents, this alone is a major differentiator. PB&J TV’s AI monitoring only bolsters Children’s Lighthouse even more.
“We recently launched AI tools, which lead into safety and compliance, and it’s opening up an entirely new world of how PB&J TV’s technology is impacting preschools,” Franzo said. “We’re supporting safer schools and smarter operations.”
These AI tools can alert directors if a child is left behind or a classroom is over capacity, identify unusual license plates spending too much time in the school’s parking lot and even identify weapons approaching the building and initiate an automatic safety response. This feature not only ensures the safety of the children but also provides franchisees with peace of mind, knowing they have a reliable system in place to address potential issues.
“We’re here to connect and protect what matters most for both families and Children’s Lighthouse owners,” Franzo said.
Increased Transparency and Simpler Communications With Digital Parent Boards
Another recent addition is Children’s Lighthouse’s digital parent boards. This tool brings a new level of communication and transparency to each local school, allowing teachers and staff to make real-time updates regarding what’s going on in the classrooms while giving parents insight into recent events and what’s to come.
“We have digitized the parent boards on the outside of every classroom so that we can be very transparent with our parents,” Berry said. “They can have up-to-the-minute information about what’s going on with daily schedules, what their kids are learning at any given moment, and what events may be coming up at the school.”
The parent boards also support franchisees by simplifying communication processes and reducing administrative burden. By integrating important updates with other tools like live streaming and event notifications, these boards reinforce Children’s Lighthouse's commitment to utilizing technology to foster stronger connections between schools and families.
Children’s Lighthouse is committed to providing a safe, transparent, and engaging environment for both children and their families, utilizing advanced technology to achieve these goals. From live streaming video to AI-driven safety features, the brand is constantly innovating to offer an exceptional experience for parents while supporting franchisees with operational efficiencies.
"Our focus has always been on creating a safe and enriching environment where families feel connected and engaged,” Berry said. “The technology we implement is a key component in achieving that goal."
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.