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The U.S. child care and education market is booming. Here are 30 diverse franchise options offering STEM, fitness, arts and academic programs for kids of all ages.
Two years ago, the child care and education market in America reached a valuation of $60 billion, with expected growth of about 4% expected to drive a valuation of nearly $90 million by 2033. That growth is fueled by a larger number of single-parent households and working parents, plus a renewed focus on the benefits of early childhood education.
The following 30 child care and education franchise brands make up a varied sampling of the sector, presenting options for entrepreneurs ready to invest in a growing, tech-driven industry.
Busy Bee Jumpers is a franchise opportunity in the party and inflatable rental business that is focused on high-margin core rentals such as bounce houses, water slides, obstacle courses and tents.
Central Creativity is a franchised business that provides STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) enrichment programs to students through after-school classes, camps and kits.
Children's Lighthouse is an early childhood education franchise that provides care and education for children from infancy through school age. Its schools use a proprietary, values-based curriculum, Lighthouse Pathways, which focuses on academic and character development through a STREAM-based approach that emphasizes science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math.
IDEA Lab Kids is a franchise offering a variety of after-school, summer camp and workshop programs for children ages 4 to 14 based on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) curriculum. Programs include robotics, game design, coding, virtual reality, and culinary and art classes.
KidStrong is a franchised child development program that combines physical fitness, character building and brain development for children ages 1 to 11. Its science-based curriculum is delivered through 45-minute classes led by certified coaches and is designed to build confident, resilient kids.
KLA Schools is a franchised preschool and child care center based on a unique, Reggio Emilia-inspired educational philosophy that creates modern, open-concept learning spaces designed to stimulate curiosity in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Mathnasium is a franchise that offers math-only tutoring for students in grades K-12, using a proprietary teaching method to provide individualized instruction in centers that are designed to be fun and engaging. Its centers are often compared to a "math gym.”
USA Ninja Challenge is a youth fitness franchise that offers an obstacle-based training program for children and teenagers, focusing on skills like climbing, jumping and balancing within a structured curriculum.
Bella Ballerina is a boutique dance studio franchise that provides storybook-themed dance classes for children ages 18 months to 10 years. Its standardized curriculum combines ballet, tap, jazz and creative movement with imaginative play, storytelling and dress-up in a fun, noncompetitive, confidence-building environment where children learn to dance while developing coordination and flexibility.
Brooklyn Robot Foundry is a mobile franchise business that provides hands-on robotics workshops for children and adults in a structured curriculum. Franchisees run the business from their homes, bringing programs directly to schools, camps and community centers, eliminating the need for a physical storefront.
Club SciKidz is a children’s STEM education franchise that offers programs such as summer day camps, after-school clubs and in-school field trips. The model is designed to be flexible and low-overhead because it does not require a dedicated retail location and instead partners with existing venues, such as schools or community centers, to host programs.
Mini Athletics is a franchised mobile youth fitness program based on the principles of track and field. It uses fun, imaginative activities such as running, jumping and throwing to build physical literacy, confidence and social skills in children ages 3 to 9.
theCoderSchool is a franchised children's coding education center that delivers coding and computer programming education through a project-based, mentor-led learning model to children ages 7 to 18.
Ultimate Ninjas is a franchise opportunity for individuals looking to open obstacle course gyms inspired by popular ninja warrior television shows. The franchise model focuses on obstacle-based training for both children and adults and offers multiple revenue streams, including memberships, classes, birthday parties, camps and competitive events.
UrSwim provides swim instruction, lifeguard services and pool management, delivering swim lessons for all ages - from toddlers to adults - as well as lifeguard services for both facilities and events.
Wize Computing Academy is a children's enrichment franchise that teaches STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and coding skills to children and young adults, with a focus on project-based learning, offering its programs through various channels including after-school clubs, summer camps and online classes, often delivered in partner schools and community centers. (Notably, franchisees can be home-based, as most classes are held at partner locations, and no prior coding experience is necessary)
LearningRx is a brain training center offering one-on-one programs that improve cognitive skills like memory, attention and processing speed for children and adults, programs which use game-like activities to target weak cognitive skills that cause learning difficulties (which is different from traditional tutoring that focuses on specific subject matter).
Tierra Encantada is a Spanish immersion child care and preschool service for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old, delivering a comprehensive curriculum, organic food and a focus on community and child development.
Kinderdance is a mobile-based, home-based franchise offering children's educational dance, gymnastics and fitness programs, teaching proprietary, age-appropriate classes to children (typically in child care facilities rather than a physical studio).
Little Kitchen Academy is a franchised business delivering Montessori-inspired cooking classes to kids and teenagers aged 3 to 18, providing a focus on the teaching of practical life skills, nutritious eating and culinary autonomy in both a hands-on and from-scratch kitchen setting.
Young Chefs Academy is a franchised children's culinary school that offers a variety of cooking classes, parties, camps and workshops, using a proprietary curriculum to teach children life skills like teamwork, nutrition and creativity while learning to cook in a fun, hands-on environment.
Walltopia is a franchised indoor park that promotes physical activity and fun for families, featuring attractions like climbing walls and obstacle courses that are backed by Walltopia's expertise in design, construction and operations.
The Fashion Class is a franchised children's enrichment program focused on sewing, fashion design and crafting for ages 2 to 17, as well as adults. The brand provides a fashion-focused school at the local level with a curriculum which includes lessons on sewing, illustration and the business of fashion, culminating in seasonal runway shows where students can showcase their own creations.
Taxi Mom is a franchise that provides safe, door-to-door transportation for children, primarily for school and activities, offering a vital community service and peace of mind for parents. The franchise can often be run from home and operated as a part-time or side business.
Celebree School is a franchised child care and early education center providing early childhood education and care for children from infants to school-age. (Notably, prospective franchisees do not need an education degree).
Huntington Learning Center provides K-12 tutoring and standardized test preparation services, such as the SAT and ACT, and offers personalized in-person, online or hybrid educational programs to students in local communities.
JEI Learning Center is a franchised supplemental education center for children that provides customized, self-paced learning programs in subjects like math and English for students in pre-kindergarten through 10th grade. The programs are supported by proprietary materials and a diagnostic system that tailors the curriculum to each student's needs.
Kiddie Academy is a franchised educational child care center that provides academic and social enrichment for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years using the company's proprietary Life Essentials curriculum. The curriculum focuses on six key outcomes: character, confidence, curiosity, connection, critical thinking and creative expression.
Lightbridge Academy is a franchise system that offers early childhood education and child care centers, emphasizing a Circle of Care philosophy and technology such as real-time parent viewing, with a focus on meeting the needs of working families.
Primrose Schools is a franchised, accredited private preschool that provides early education and child care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years using the company's proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum.
Franchisees turn to Growth Club to leverage its 100+ years of franchise experience to help navigate the difficulty of finding the right franchise opportunity. Visit www.1851growthclub.com and see what we can do for you.
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