Discover what sets Children’s Lighthouse apart and why it’s an exceptional investment for potential franchise owners.

Children's Lighthouse's comprehensive training and ongoing guidance and support means just about anyone can take advantage of the preschool franchise opportunity! 

The ideal candidate is:

• Passionate about children's education. 
• Interested in making a difference in their community.
• Committed to working hard and following the Children's Lighthouse model.
• Has strong people skills and wants to be their own boss.
• Meets the financial and background check qualifications.

With the rise of dual-income families, the demand for reliable and enriching child care continues to grow by the year. Children's Lighthouse, a family-owned franchise, adeptly meets this growing need with a robust business model centered on premier educational programming. Grounded in a family-driven operational ethos, the franchise supports community development while promoting personal business success.

Strategically positioned with available territories nationwide, especially in areas where competitors have reached capacity, Children’s Lighthouse offers potential franchisees a distinct advantage. The brand, which boasts 70 operational schools with more than 20 additional schools under development, continues to see consistent occupancy rates thanks in large part to its proprietary STREAM-based Lighthouse Pathways curriculum and diverse educational programs catering to children from infancy to school age.

Now is an optimal time to invest in a Children's Lighthouse franchise. The burgeoning child care market, coupled with accessible leasing programs that lower initial investment barriers, makes this an opportune moment for franchisees to build generational wealth while contributing positively to their communities. For those passionate about education and community service, a Children's Lighthouse franchise offers a significant business opportunity and a chance to make a lasting community impact.

Alexis Legg has owned the Children's Lighthouse of Oak Forest in Houston since late 2020. After a career in hospitality management, Alexis Legg realized the demands of late nights, weekends, and holidays were not ideal for family life. Following her wedding, she transitioned into the education sector, teaching in various settings including charter, public, and private schools. After completing her master's degree in education during a stint in Dubai, Legg welcomed her first child. This new addition prompted her return to Houston, seeking proximity to her family.

“We tried to find child care here for our infant son, but nowhere met our high standards for early education, which was my focus in my career,” said Legg. “I shared with my husband what I would do differently if I had my own school, and he suggested: Why not open our own? The more we looked into it, the more feasible it seemed. Children’s Lighthouse, based in Texas where we are from, gave us a great impression as a company. We appreciated that it is family-owned and operated, offering a small company feel even though it is larger.”

Legg says the curriculum was another key factor in her decision to bring Children’s Lighthouse to her community. 

“As a parent, you want a brand that is well-established and tested,” said Legg. “These preschools all aim to achieve similar goals, but what sets this brand apart is the character value component of the curriculum — responsibility, honesty, humor, gratitude — these important life skills that are essential for children at this age. We are teaching them to read and write, but we are also creating little humans. I was impressed both as a parent and an educator. Last year, 45 of the 60 toddlers we taught were accepted into the gifted program at their school, which is a huge testament to the brand.”

Since opening her Children’s Lighthouse location over three years ago, Legg says she has felt supported every step of the way. 

“Whether it's operations or marketing, there has never been a time when I needed guidance and didn’t receive it,” she said. “You get as much support as you want. They tell you what you need to know and will answer any question. You can make a phone call, send a text message or email, and get support that same day.”

And the Children’s Lighthouse franchise has proven to be a uniquely rewarding endeavor. 

“We don’t take our responsibility lightly — we put a lot of work into every aspect of the business, know everyone's names and strive to make our school an extension of each family’s home,” said Legg. “These children spend a majority of their lives with us—dropped off at 7 AM and picked up at 5 PM, five days a week. We want our school to feel warm and welcoming; the greatest part is seeing the children happy. The best feeling is when a child doesn’t want to go home.”

Children's Lighthouse differentiates itself through its family-driven culture and a curriculum developed to keep pace with the latest child development research. Each independently owned and operated school is encouraged to become accredited by Cognia™. This approach emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning and individualized skill development, ensuring that each child can thrive according to their unique learning style.

Children's Lighthouse franchisees can access multiple revenue streams by offering a range of specialized educational programs tailored to different age groups along with summer camps. 

For the youngest learners (6 weeks - 24 months), the Lighthouse BRIGHT™ curriculum fosters early brain development through research-based activities that integrate skill development effectively. As children move into their preschool years (2 - 5 years), Children’s Lighthouse introduces the Lighthouse CARES™ curriculum, which is robust in fostering character-building values essential for social and emotional development. It features innovative components like The Learning Wall, Learning Lesson Session and Centers That Shine. For school-age children (kindergarten - 12 years), the xSTREAM Quest™ curriculum provides a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Based on STREAM labs within a Questing Studio, children engage in a series of challenges and missions to earn Solo, Team, Community and Outdoor Cog Badges, leading them on a path to becoming a Quest Master. 

Additionally, Children’s Lighthouse offers a vibrant summer program that expands horizons and introduces new adventures through themed weekly activities. These include nature expeditions, creative arts, group activities, cooking classes and science projects, as well as reading, writing, experimentation with technology, field trips, and exploration in engineering and math.

Backed by this model, franchisees are deeply integrated into the fabric of their communities, fostering trust and delivering a service that goes beyond basic child care. No previous child care experience is necessary, as franchisees and senior staff will have access to in-depth pre-opening training that immerses them in the Children’s Lighthouse culture, curriculum and business model. 

The Children’s Lighthouse business can also be run semi-absentee, with a director hired to handle the day-to-day operations of the center. Franchise owners can expect to spend around 20 hours a week in the center for the first year, followed by less than five hours a week once the center is up and running. It is also a prime model for parents looking to start a business that will allow them to spend more time with their children or for investors looking to be involved in a semi-absentee structure.