Why This Franchisee Continues to Invest in Children’s Lighthouse

Alexis Legg has been the owner of Children’s Lighthouse Oak Forest in Houston, Texas, for four years. Now, she is looking to expand with the family-focused early education and child care franchise. Why? The demand for quality child care and early education is high, and Legg sees an opportunity to bring the same high standards and community-focused approach to a new location. 

“My goal for school number two is to replicate the success and community impact we’ve achieved with school number one,” said Legg. “My goal is to be a great addition to any community, providing excellent care and education while building strong relationships with families.”

With a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Legg started her career at a luxury hotel in Houston. However, the demanding hours of the hospitality industry conflicted with family life, leading to a career shift back to her original passion: education. After gaining experience as a dance teacher and preschool teacher — and earning a master's degree in education — Legg returned to Houston. 

Frustrated with the early child care options available for her own child, Legg and her husband decided to explore franchise ownership. A chance interaction with a former colleague led them to Children’s Lighthouse. From the first interaction, Legg was impressed by the brand's values and curriculum, particularly the focus on character development.

“From the very first interaction with them, they were just wholesome, down to earth, very kind and very compassionate,” said Legg. “They really wanted to help people, which I really appreciated.”

Experience and Success with Children's Lighthouse

Since signing the franchise agreement in 2018, Legg has successfully operated her Children's Lighthouse school, even remaining open during the challenging times of COVID-19. The support from the franchisor has been a key element in her success. Children’s Lighthouse provides comprehensive support through franchise business coaches, quarterly visits and a responsive support center. 

Legg emphasizes that the brand's structured approach and detailed playbook ensure success for anyone who follows it. “I never feel without support, and if I ever run into an issue where I don't know how to make the decision, they’re there for me,” she said. “I only have one school, and they have a portfolio of over 70 schools now, so they have a lot of experience. They truly want to see everyone succeed.”

Legg also values the curriculum’s focus on character values, which aligns with her dual background in hospitality and education. She believes this commitment to high standards has been integral to the success of her first school.

“Every month within the curriculum, the children are learning things like integrity and responsibility and gratitude,” she said.  “And so even in our two-year-old classrooms, the children are learning what that looks like, how to display it and how to see it in other people. That was very impressive to me, both from a parent standpoint and an educator standpoint.”

Plans for Expansion and Advice for Other Franchisees

With her school thriving, Legg is now focused on expanding within the Houston area. She is exploring several communities that lack adequate child care facilities and plans to build another two-story school to optimize space and costs. The goal is to replicate the success of the first school by continuing to prioritize high standards, the community and exceptional educational experiences.

“We pride ourselves on going the extra mile and we really want our school to be a warm, welcoming place in the community,” said Legg. “And I feel like we've achieved that at school number one, and so I really am wanting to do the same with school number two. Child care is expensive but I believe we bring a lot of value to what parents pay us.”

For other franchisees considering expansion, Legg advises taking chances and trusting in the support of the franchisor. Despite initial hesitations, the success of the first school has proven that with the right support and commitment, successful expansion can be possible. 

“If you're successful in school number one, then opening school number two is a no-brainer,” she said. “The brand is super supportive of expansion and growth, and they are very transparent if there’s an issue with how a franchisee is running their school. My best advice is to never be afraid to take a chance. I was afraid to do it sooner, but here I am four years later, finally doing it.”

Children’s Lighthouse’s dedication to supporting its franchisees and fostering a nurturing educational environment makes it an ideal choice for those looking to invest in early childhood education.

For more information on franchising with Children’s Lighthouse, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/info.