Children’s Lighthouse, the early education franchise with a commitment to quality and care, has created a system where franchisees are never left to go it alone. One of the most impactful pieces of that system is the Franchise Business Coach (FBC) program — a deeply personalized and hands-on support model designed to walk with franchisees every step of the way.

Latisha King, Director of Field Operations, knows the program inside and out. She started her journey with the brand back in 2002 — not at a desk, but in the classroom. Now, she leads a team of five experienced FBCs and helps oversee the training that prepares franchisees and school directors to succeed.

“Children’s Lighthouse is truly a brand that leads with support,” King said. “Our FBC program is one of the strongest differentiators in our system, and it’s something our franchisees consistently praise.”

King will join 1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills for a live webinar on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. CST, to share how the FBC program works, why it matters, and what new franchisees can expect when they join the system. Register for the webinar here.

King brings more than 25 years of experience in education to her role — much of it spent inside Children’s Lighthouse schools.

“I’ve been in education for over 25 years,” she said. “I actually started in the classroom at a corporate Children’s Lighthouse location back in 2002. From there, I worked my way up to assistant director and then school director, where I was also responsible for leading leadership training. In 2018, I became a consultant and have since been promoted several times into the role I hold today. I now lead a team of five amazing FBCs out in the field.”

That boots-on-the-ground perspective helps King understand what franchisees and school leaders truly need to run a high-quality early education center.

Each new franchisee is assigned a dedicated FBC within the first 60 to 90 days of opening. These coaches — each responsible for supporting about 15 to 18 schools — build lasting relationships with owners, directors, and staff to help maintain operational excellence.

“The FBC is that point person a franchisee can call anytime — 24/7,” King said. “They visit schools throughout the year, help with compliance, support directors, and make sure each school is running at the highest quality possible. It’s not just checklists — it’s real coaching, customized to the needs of each owner and location.”

FBCs work closely with franchisees to address business challenges, support curriculum implementation, and ensure the overall success of each school — all backed by decades of experience in early childhood education and franchise operations.

According to King, franchisees receive more support after they open — not less.

“We plan support visits with intention,” she said. “Our job is to go into the schools, assess where they are from a business and curriculum standpoint, and offer hands-on support — whether that’s helping strengthen operational practices, ensuring curriculum is being implemented with fidelity, or guiding the leadership team toward sustainable success. It’s all about helping schools deliver a high-quality experience, consistently.”

Children’s Lighthouse intentionally limits the number of schools each FBC supports to ensure the quality of that relationship.

“I hear it all the time: The level of support we provide is just unheard of,” King said. “Franchisees come from other brands and are shocked at how present and involved we are. That’s a huge differentiator.”

In addition to leading the field operations team, King helps run the brand’s in-depth training for new franchisees and school directors — ensuring they are fully equipped to deliver on Children’s Lighthouse’s promise of high-quality care.

“We don’t just hand over a manual and wish you luck,” King said. “I walk new owners through what it takes to run a successful school from the ground up. And when their director is hired, they come to us for the Lighthouse Leadership Academy, a 40-hour deep dive into what it means to lead a Children’s Lighthouse school.”

From training and compliance to curriculum and leadership development, the FBC program gives franchisees the tools — and human support — they need to succeed.

“Everyone the franchisee meets during the development process stays with them long after their school opens,” said King. “That’s the power of our model. We’re not just a franchise — we’re a family.”

Don’t miss your chance to hear directly from Latisha King and learn more about the personalized support behind the Children’s Lighthouse franchise system.

Sign up for the webinar here.

To learn more about the Children’s Lighthouse franchise opportunity, visit 1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.