Frequently Asked Questions About The Goddard School® Franchise Opportunity

A daycare franchise is a business model where you operate a childcare center using the brand, systems, and support of an established franchisor. It allows entrepreneurs to open their own daycare or preschool while benefiting from a proven curriculum, operational support, and brand recognition.

With The Goddard School, our franchisees receive end-to-end support—from real estate and construction to marketing, training, and ongoing operations. You get the independence of business ownership with the backing of a trusted name in early childhood education. Learn more about what a preschool franchise is.

Franchising offers many advantages of business ownership with the support of a proven brand, established systems, and ongoing guidance—reducing risk and accelerating growth.

Investing in early childhood education adds another layer of value: it's a recession-resilient, $71 billion industry projected to grow to $91 billion by 2030. With rising demand for high-quality childcare, it’s a smart, scalable investment that also makes a meaningful impact on families and communities.

Read more to learn about the advantages of setting up a childcare franchise and learn about why you should invest in early childhood education.

In 2024, schools open for 18 months or longer had an average EBITDA of $521,987. This amount is based on mature schools opened for 18 months or more as of 2024. EBITDA is defined as gross revenue less all expenses directly related to operating the school excluding interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. You should refer to Item 19 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC’s 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information regarding the reported earnings of Goddard School franchises. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much as the amounts reported by Goddard School franchisees.

The Goddard School was founded in 1983 and began franchising in 1988 by entrepreneur Anthony A. Martino, a visionary who recognized the increasing demand for high-quality early childhood education. With a commitment to supporting working families and fostering child development, he began franchising The Goddard School to provide a safe, nurturing, and academically focused environment for young learners. Today, more than 35 years later, The Goddard School has grown into a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education, with more than 640 schools across the United States.

Currently, we are ranked #55 on the Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 List and have been included in the listing for 27 consecutive years; the highest-ranking childcare and early childhood education provider in the 2024 Franchise Times Top 400; and in the Top 200 in Franchise Business Review.

The Goddard School combines a proven business model, strong financial performance, and best-in-class support. With over 35 years of experience, 640+ schools, and top industry rankings, Goddard offers franchisees the opportunity to grow a rewarding business while making a meaningful impact on families and communities. Read more about how The Goddard School stands out.

Startup costs vary based on location and whether you lease, build, or buy an existing school. For example, build-to-suit lease costs range from $952,500 to $1.36 million, while purchasing land and building a school ranges from $5.23 million to $8.57 million.

These estimates include franchise fees, marketing, site development, initial operations, and ongoing expenses post-opening. We also offer financing support and lender introductions. The average cash injection for a borrower is between 10-15% of the total project costs. Many franchisees also choose to partner with investors to help fund their school. Check out our financial requirements page to learn more. Please also refer to Item 7 of Goddard Franchisor, LLC's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information on these costs.