Best Daycare Franchise Opportunities for 2022

If you’re thinking about joining a franchise, then consider entering the daycare industry. With 47 million children under the age of 12 and increasing dual-income households, demand for child daycare services is rising. The child daycare services market is projected to grow up to $73.8 billion by 2027, a significant jump from the industry’s $18 billion valuation in 2020.

Also, daycare franchises do more than babysit children while their parents are at work. They also create learning and social opportunities to fast-track their development and expand their skills before entering grade school.

If you want to join a franchise that helps both children and parents, then stick around. Below, we’re listing the top daycare franchises and what franchise fees to expect.

13 daycare franchise opportunities

Here are 13 daycare franchise opportunities for you to explore.

1. Creative World School

• Initial franchise fee: $75,000

• Founded: 1970

• Royalty fee: 5% to 7%

Creative World School is a family-owned and accredited education business. Founded in 1970 by Billie and Duane McCabe, this franchise has expanded from their roots in Missouri and opened schools in Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Texas and Virginia.

This franchise advocates for STEAM-based learning, focusing on teaching children about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

If you’re considering becoming a franchisee, expect to pay a franchise fee of $75,000. As a side note, Creative World School proudly advertises that none of their franchisees have ever defaulted on a loan.

2. The Goddard School

• Initial franchise fee: $135,000

• Founded: 1983

• Royalty fee: 7%

This school was founded by Lois Goddard Haines in 1983. In 1988, Anthony A. Martino became one of the first to franchise this school by developing a repeatable, high-quality, and play-based learning program. As of 2018, The Goddard School has over 400 companies across 36 states, including Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia.

The Goddard School’s philosophy is to put research into action. They hire only qualified educators and experts in child development. Their background in technology integration, child development, and health offers a holistic learning experience for children.

The Goddard School charges a franchise fee of up to $135,000.

3. KLA Schools

• Initial franchise fee: $78,500

• Founded: 2008

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 6%, ad royalty fee of 1.5%

KLA Schools’ first location opened in 2008 in Miami. They recently started franchising in 2009 and have over 15 locations open. KLA Schools was featured in Entrepreneur’s list for Top 500 Franchises of 2017.

If you’re interested in becoming a franchisee of KLA Schools, you will undergo an extensive franchisee interview process. You will submit a franchise application on their website, participate in a series and calls, and then sign paperwork, including the franchise agreement.

You will need to pay a franchise fee of $78,500, a site selection fee of $20,000 and have about $100,000 in liquid capital.

4. LeafSpring Schools

• Initial franchise fee: $87,500

• Founded: 1988

• Royalty fee: 6%

LeafSpring was founded in 1988 by nurse Gail W. Johnson. Currently, they have 12 locations open in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Indiana.

This franchise is academically oriented and emphasizes their proprietary curriculum developed by qualified and professional educators. Moreover, LeafSpring Schools advertises “all inclusive family support”—meals, diapers, transportation to and from school, and even on-site health care. The children and parents truly lie at the forefront of this school’s priorities.

The franchise fee for this daycare center and school is $87,500.

5. Genius Kids

• Initial franchise fee: $50,000

• Founded: 2001

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 6%, ad royalty fee of 1%

As their name suggests, Genius Kids is dedicated to awakening the “inner genius” within every child. Founded in 2001 in California, their qualified educators and comprehensive curriculum create a rich learning experience for the children they work with. As of 2019, Genius Kids has 30 franchised locations, mostly concentrated in the California Bay Area.

Genius Kids has a four-step process for franchisees: an introductory conversation, an informational presentation of the franchise and their culture, franchise agreement review, and finally purchasing the franchise. Genius Kids’ franchise fee amounts to $50,000.

6. The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education

• Initial franchise fee: $60,000

• Founded: 1979

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 7%, ad royalty fee of 1%

Founded in 1979 by the Weissman family in Boca Raton, Florida, The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education creates a learning environment built upon educational principles. Their educators target children’s cognitive, physical, and social well-being to help them “learn, play, and grow.”

The Learning Experience is committed to giving their children a head start before entering the grade school system, and they boast a curriculum so effective that nine out of 10 of their children learn to read before kindergarten.

The initial franchise fee is $60,000 and the upfront investment to become a franchisee is $150,000 in liquid capital.

7. All About Kids

• Initial franchise fee: Unknown

• Founded: 2005

• Royalty fee: Unknown

Founded by Jim and Tracy Kaiser in 2005 in Ohio, All About Kids provides flexible child care development programs for infants and children up to 12 years old. Also, they are proud to be the only LEED Certified Green child care center in the tri-state area.

A unique feature about this franchise is that their facilities offer “WatchMeGrow,” which is a live video feed collected from cameras installed inside and outside the building. Parents can monitor their children through a secure website and then receive an electronic daily report.

Joining the All About Kids franchise requires at least $150,000 in liquid capital.

8. KidsPark

• Initial franchise fee: $25,000

• Founded: 1988

• Royalty fee: Ongoing Royalty Fee of 5%, Ad Royalty Fee $250/mo.

Debbie Milner founded KidsPark in 1988 in San Jose, California. Since then, this franchise has opened several locations within the United States.

Some daycare centers require parents to pay upfront for a full day, half day, or even an entire week. With Kids Park, parents pay for child care by the hour so they’re charged only for the time used.

KidsPark’s educators offer both group games and one-on-one time with children. Their movement games, arts and crafts, and socialization time keeps children interested and active. Many of their locations have an open floor plan, so that children are always within eyesight of teachers and parents.

To become a franchisee of KidsPark, they require you to have at least $258,750 in liquid capital.

9. Primrose Schools

• Initial franchise fee: $80,000

• Founded: 1982

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 7%, ad royalty fee of 2%

Primrose Schools has collected impressive accolades since their founding in 1982. One of them is being ranked fifth on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Franchise to Buy in 2019. To date, they offer early childhood education and child care services in more than 200 schools in 15 states.

Primrose Schools’s success rests on their “Balanced Learning” approach, a research-informed learning strategy that combines philosophies from historical figures like Montessori, Piaget, Gessell, and Vygotsky. At Primrose Schools, children gain early exposure to science, language, physical development, math, and social-emotional intelligence.

Primrose Schools is dedicated to helping their franchisees succeed. They offer support with their expert finance team, experienced real estate team, and training programs. The franchise fee for Primrose Schools is up to $80,000.

10. Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies

• Initial franchise fee: $115,000

• Founded: 1985

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 6%, ad royalty fee of 1%

This franchise was founded in 1985 and has been franchising since 1988. Their number of locations has quickly risen to over 100 with a few locations outside the United States.

Kids ‘R’ Kids targets students ages six weeks to 12 years. They also follow the STEAM learning model, teaching children about science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Like Primrose Schools, Kids ‘R’ Kids is dedicated to helping their franchisees succeed. That’s why they partner with a national real estate firm that is also proficient with the child care and early childhood education industry. This expertise ensures your franchise location works for you, as well as parents and their children. They also have an experienced marketing department that will help franchisees design a marketing plan from pre-opening to grand opening.

The franchise fee is $115,000 and they recommend that you have liquid assets of at least $450,000.

11. Adventure Kids Playcare

• Initial franchise fee: $29,500

• Founded: 2004

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 5%, ad royalty fee of 2%

Adventure Kids Playcare’s branding is more play-oriented than academically focused, as their name implies. Founded in 2004 and franchising in 2006, their mission is to create a safe and fun space for children so that mom and dad can enjoy their own time guilt-free. Adventure Kids Playcare made Entrepreneur’s list of Franchise 500 Ranking for 2017.

Their play crew is CPR and first-aid certified and have passed the “Mom” test. This franchise offers summer, winter, and spring break camps and also hosts birthday parties. Their play crew follows a schedule packed with activities and games to keep children engaged and active.

Adventure Kids Playcare’s franchise fee is $29,500.

12. Lightbridge Academy

• Initial franchise fee: $40,000

• Founded: 1997

• Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 7%, ad royalty fee of 2%

Founded by husband and wife Guy and Julia Falzarano, Lightbridge Academy has been operating since 1997. With over 20 years in business, this franchise has expanded to nearly 100 centers either already open or in development. Lightbridge Academy has secured some impressive rewards over the years: Franchise 500 Ranking 2019 by Entrepreneur and Franchise Times’ Top 200+ 2018.

This franchise’s business model runs on their “Circle of Care” philosophy, which is rooted in core values of family, community, and support. This value-based model extends to their franchise support system. They guide you every step from interested party to official franchisee. Lightbridge Academy’s team will work with you to secure the real estate, implement the curriculum, and even assign you a personal business coach.

Lightbridge Academy requires a franchise fee of $40,000.

13. College Nannies, Sitters, and Tutors

1. Initial franchise fee: $45,000

2. Founded: 2001

3. Royalty fee: Ongoing royalty fee of 5%, ad royalty fee of 2%

College Nannies, Sitters, and Tutors was founded by Joe Keeley in Minnesota and has been franchising since 2005.

What’s unique about this franchise is that they offer four different services to their customers; nannies, sitters, tutors, and specialty care. Part of their philosophy is to match people, not profiles. They’ll take the time to understand each parent, their needs, and how to find the right professional to meet them.

For parents in need of a nanny, their team will pair parents with the right nanny who will give children the one-on-one attention they need—something not all daycare centers can consistently provide. All of their nannies are carefully vetted to ensure that the person looking after your children is trustworthy and qualified.

Their initial franchise fee is $45,000.

The bottom line

Dual-income households are the norm in today’s age, and the demand for child care will steadily increase as more households require both parents to work. That’s why now is the opportune time to enter the child care industry and fulfill this market need. And this list of the top daycare franchises might have inspired an idea or two for you.

Of course, there are both advantages and disadvantages of franchising. Keep in mind that franchises are a lot of work and require significant capital investment. Chances are, you’ll require a business loan to help you cover the franchise fees and other initial investment costs. However, there are various franchise financing options to help you secure your own daycare franchise.