The Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Children's Lighthouse Franchise in 2024

When exploring potential franchises to invest in, few opportunities align passion with profit as seamlessly as a Children's Lighthouse franchise. Known for its robust educational curriculum and deep-rooted family values, Children's Lighthouse stands out in the bustling child care industry, both among families and among prospective entrepreneurs. 

Here are the top five reasons why buying a Children's Lighthouse franchise could be the investment of a lifetime.

1. Family-Focused Foundation

At the core of Children’s Lighthouse is a family-centric philosophy that has driven the company since its inception in 1997. Founded by the Brown family, Children’s Lighthouse was created to offer more than just child care — it provides a nurturing environment where children are intellectually and emotionally stimulated. 

“My dad's goal was to build a business that could be passed down to us or one we could grow into,” said Michael Brown, president of Children’s Lighthouse. “As kids, we kept busy helping with whatever was needed at the schools — watering plants, changing air filters or handling maintenance. I started at the bottom, working in various roles within the company, and gradually moved into our franchise department. Overall, working in this family-centric environment not only helped us grow as a franchise, but also brought us closer as a family, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. We want to share that joy with other entrepreneurial families.”

This ethos appeals to families looking for child care and also resonates with franchisees seeking a business with strong family values.

“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 Alexis Legg, owner of Children's Lighthouse of Oak Forest in Houston. “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.”

2. Ample Growth Opportunities

With 70 schools currently operating and 24 more in development, Children’s Lighthouse has strategically positioned itself in markets with available white space where most competitors are sold out. The brand is focused on building out locations across its home state of Texas, with room to add 25 schools in Dallas and 27 in Houston, in addition to expanding in  Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri.

“This gap in the market offers a fertile ground for prospective franchisees to cultivate a lucrative business while providing a vital community service,” said Matt Kelton, vice president of franchise development. 

And the demand for quality child care has never been higher, especially in a world where dual-income families are the norm. Over two-thirds of the nation's children under six years old have both parents working, underscoring the critical need for premium child care services. The U.S. child care market size was valued at $59 billion in 2023 and is expected to surpass around $88 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% between 2024 and 2033.

And the brand is seeing the ample need in their enrollment numbers. The recent Children’s Lighthouse location in Kyle, Texas was sold out with full occupancy weeks before the doors even opened, Kelton pointed out.  

3. A Desireable Lifestyle

Children’s Lighthouse’s family-focused culture also extends to the operational model — owners looking for a business that will allow them to spend more time with their families, for example, can easily manage their center semi-absentee after the initial opening phase. 

“You hire a director to run the day-to-day,” Kelton said. “You may work 20 hours a week at the beginning, but after the first year, you only have to be in the center maybe ten hours a week. Also, a lot of our franchise owners want to do something that allows them to spend more time with their children and family. This is a great model for that.”

Plus, backed by this model, 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. 

Julie Carter, the owner of Children’s Lighthouse of Oak Point, for example, came from a background in accounting, finance and insurance before starting her child care business in 2017. 

“I honestly never thought I would be a business owner, and without all of the processes that Children’s Lighthouse has in place, I wouldn't have been able to do it,” said Carter. “Over the past seven years, I've found that if you adhere to the established processes, there's a high likelihood of developing a well-rounded center that attracts families. Everything is planned out for you from start to finish. Everyone on the team has extensive experience, but this isn’t a big conglomerate. This is a family-owned business and they have been by our side every step of the way.”

4. Multiple Revenue Streams

Children’s Lighthouse franchisees benefit from multiple sources of income through their varied educational programs. These include early childhood education, after-school programs, summer camps and specialized programming. 

“There's a significant nationwide demand for child care, and we've developed a robust process to identify and meet this demand in various markets,” Brown said. “Our approach differs notably from other brands, primarily because of the culture and foundation my dad and uncle established.”

Children’s Lighthouse serves this significant demand with a proprietary STREAM-based curriculum called Lighthouse Pathways. STREAM stands for science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math. Maintaining high standards of operational and educational excellence, each Children's Lighthouse school is independently owned and operated and may have its own Cognia™ or other accreditation. 

“As a parent, you want a brand that is well-established and tested,” Legg said. “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.”

From the Lighthouse BRIGHT™ curriculum designed for early brain development in infants to the dynamic xSTREAM Quest™ for school-aged children and engaging summer programs filled with diverse activities, franchisees have the opportunity to attract a broad demographic of families and diversify their revenue. According to the Children's Lighthouse website, schools that had been open for 18 months or more as of the end of 2023 saw Average Gross Revenue of $1,941,556.*

5. Making a Meaningful Impact

While the numbers may be eye-catching, at the end of the day, owning a Children's Lighthouse franchise offers more than just financial returns. According to Brown, it provides a profound emotional return on investment as well. Franchisees become integral parts of their communities, enriching lives and shaping future generations. 

“If you have a passion for education, for child care and for enriching your community, this could be a great opportunity for you,” Brown said. “It's an industry that requires great responsibility, but it's also so rewarding. It's not for everybody, but if you have that passion, it can be a uniquely fulfilling experience.”

For more information on franchising opportunities, visit Children's Lighthouse Franchise.

*Refer to the 2024 franchise disclosure document Item 19 for more information.