For Ashley Hempton, raising children has always been central to her life. As a mother, Hempton knows firsthand the challenges parents face when searching for high-quality childcare. That experience is what ultimately inspired her to open her own Children’s Lighthouse franchise in New Braunfels, Texas, with doors set to open in 2026.
“I am a mother of six; the last two we fostered and then adopted after two years,” Hempton said. “My husband is a mechanical engineer and worked in the oil and gas industry. I am a stay-at-home mom. We decided to open a Children’s Lighthouse because we wanted to set deeper roots in the community. The oil and gas industry has been great to us, but as our kids were getting older, we wanted to settle down and start something that was our own. As a mother of six, I have a lot of experience with quality early childhood education and how important that is.”
Before becoming a franchisee, Hempton says that the concept of franchising felt like a natural entry point into business ownership.
“It seemed like a good place to start — we can build a business that means something to us,” she said. “We had a couple of friends who were in the early childhood education industry. We liked the idea, especially because I have so much experience with children. I liked the franchise because it gives you the tools you need to start your own business — they lay it all out, which makes it so much easier than starting from scratch. They give you the blueprints.”
While considering various options, Hempton and her husband were drawn to Children’s Lighthouse after seeing the impact it had on families in their network.
“Some of our friends own Children’s Lighthouse franchises, and we were looking into various franchise options in this space,” she said. “We started looking more into the brand and I really loved what they were doing.”
Specifically, Hempton says she was blown away by the brand’s curriculum. “That is big for me — I wanted my kids to start school with the foundation that they needed,” she said. “Especially as I’ve gone to different preschools, the curriculum is so important. What Children’s Lighthouse is doing with the curriculum is amazing. There is a team constantly updating the curriculum with research to ensure we are the best in the industry.”
She also emphasizes how Children’s Lighthouse is designed to meet children where they are developmentally.
“We have different pathways — children who are younger can start off in a smaller program and then as they develop, they can go into a more age level appropriate program,” Hempton said. “We provide a pathway to grow with the children.”
For now, Hempton says her focus is on getting the New Braunfels location fully established. But expansion is definitely on her mind.
“Right now we are really settling in with the first school,” she said. “As we get going, I see us opening at least one more location. The support from the team is also great and they really give you the tools you need to do it all, including the options to build another school if you want.”
For those considering franchise ownership, Hempton advises keeping a consumer’s perspective front and center.
“Make sure that whatever brand you pick feels right and is comfortable for you,” she said. “They should be doing something you would want in a school, for example. Just make sure that you are looking at it as both an owner and a consumer.”
With her firsthand parenting experience, passion for education and commitment to the community, Hempton is poised to make her Children’s Lighthouse in New Braunfels a trusted resource for families — and a foundation for future growth.
To learn more about opening your own Children’s Lighthouse franchise, visit 1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.
Children's Lighthouse
SPONSORED
Inspired by her own struggles finding quality childcare, Ashley Hempton is bringing her passion for early childhood education to New Braunfels, Texas.
For Ashley Hempton, raising children has always been central to her life. As a mother, Hempton knows firsthand the challenges parents face when searching for high-quality childcare. That experience is what ultimately inspired her to open her own Children’s Lighthouse franchise in New Braunfels, Texas, with doors set to open in 2026.
“I am a mother of six; the last two we fostered and then adopted after two years,” Hempton said. “My husband is a mechanical engineer and worked in the oil and gas industry. I am a stay-at-home mom. We decided to open a Children’s Lighthouse because we wanted to set deeper roots in the community. The oil and gas industry has been great to us, but as our kids were getting older, we wanted to settle down and start something that was our own. As a mother of six, I have a lot of experience with quality early childhood education and how important that is.”
Before becoming a franchisee, Hempton says that the concept of franchising felt like a natural entry point into business ownership.
“It seemed like a good place to start — we can build a business that means something to us,” she said. “We had a couple of friends who were in the early childhood education industry. We liked the idea, especially because I have so much experience with children. I liked the franchise because it gives you the tools you need to start your own business — they lay it all out, which makes it so much easier than starting from scratch. They give you the blueprints.”
While considering various options, Hempton and her husband were drawn to Children’s Lighthouse after seeing the impact it had on families in their network.
“Some of our friends own Children’s Lighthouse franchises, and we were looking into various franchise options in this space,” she said. “We started looking more into the brand and I really loved what they were doing.”
Specifically, Hempton says she was blown away by the brand’s curriculum. “That is big for me — I wanted my kids to start school with the foundation that they needed,” she said. “Especially as I’ve gone to different preschools, the curriculum is so important. What Children’s Lighthouse is doing with the curriculum is amazing. There is a team constantly updating the curriculum with research to ensure we are the best in the industry.”
She also emphasizes how Children’s Lighthouse is designed to meet children where they are developmentally.
“We have different pathways — children who are younger can start off in a smaller program and then as they develop, they can go into a more age level appropriate program,” Hempton said. “We provide a pathway to grow with the children.”
For now, Hempton says her focus is on getting the New Braunfels location fully established. But expansion is definitely on her mind.
“Right now we are really settling in with the first school,” she said. “As we get going, I see us opening at least one more location. The support from the team is also great and they really give you the tools you need to do it all, including the options to build another school if you want.”
For those considering franchise ownership, Hempton advises keeping a consumer’s perspective front and center.
“Make sure that whatever brand you pick feels right and is comfortable for you,” she said. “They should be doing something you would want in a school, for example. Just make sure that you are looking at it as both an owner and a consumer.”
With her firsthand parenting experience, passion for education and commitment to the community, Hempton is poised to make her Children’s Lighthouse in New Braunfels a trusted resource for families — and a foundation for future growth.
To learn more about opening your own Children’s Lighthouse franchise, visit 1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.
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