How to Start a Daycare Franchise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a Preschool Franchise

Starting a preschool franchise allows you to build a rewarding business while making a lasting, positive impact on children and families in your community.

Unlike opening an independent childcare center, franchising provides a proven business model, established brand recognition, and ongoing operational support.

Since 1988, The Goddard School® has been an industry leader in early childhood education, with a strong record of helping franchise owners bring high-quality programs to families across the country.

Step 1: Determine if a Daycare Franchise Is Right for You

Before you begin, it’s important to understand what makes daycare franchise ownership unique. When you invest in a daycare franchise like The Goddard School, you gain the opportunity to operate under a trusted brand with a proven curriculum, established marketing resources, and well-defined operational systems.

The Goddard School’s Wonder of Learning® educational program, built on decades of early childhood education research, provides a distinct competitive advantage and helps reduce startup risk compared to launching an independent childcare business.

Step 2: Understand the Financial Requirements

The process begins with thorough research and honest self-reflection. Consider whether you have a passion for early childhood education, the skills to manage operations, and the financial resources to support the investment. The Goddard School seeks franchisees who are deeply committed to educational excellence and community engagement, even if they do not have prior teaching experience.

Request Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) from the franchise opportunities you’re considering. These legal documents provide essential details about fees, obligations, and the franchisor’s financial standing. It’s also helpful to connect with current Goddard School franchisees to hear firsthand about their experiences with the brand’s support network, curriculum implementation, and family satisfaction.

Step 3: Choose the Right Location

Daycare franchises typically require a significant upfront investment. The cost of opening a Goddard School can vary based on location and other contributing factors, such as 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. This estimate includes various expenses such as franchise fees, marketing costs, site development, initial operations, and ongoing expenses post-opening.*

Through its path to ownership, The Goddard School guides you through the financial requirements and each stage of the process, helping you understand what’s needed to bring your school to life. While every franchise journey is unique, The Goddard School earned an industry-leading TopScore FUND Award and provides financing support through approved national lenders to help with school development and ongoing operational expenses. Our team will guide you through the available options to determine what best suits your financial goals and circumstances. 

Step 4: Secure Your Site

Understanding childcare regulations is an essential part of opening your franchise. These requirements vary by state and municipality, but generally include:

• State Licensing: Each state has its own regulations for childcare facilities, covering staff-to-child ratios, space requirements, health and safety standards, and background checks for all employees.
• Zoning Approval: Your chosen location must comply with local zoning ordinances for childcare operations, which may involve public hearings or neighborhood approvals.
• Building and Fire Codes: Facilities must meet rigorous safety standards, including proper exits, fire suppression systems, and accessibility compliance.

The Goddard School’s experienced franchise support team will guide you through this process, leveraging deep expertise with state and local licensing requirements to help ensure your school meets all necessary standards before opening.

Step 5: Build and Develop Your School

Location plays a vital role in the performance of your daycare franchise. The Goddard School real estate team helps identify markets with strong growth potential and favorable demographics, typically affluent neighborhoods with young families, dual-income households, and expanding communities. Visibility, accessibility, and proximity to residential areas are key considerations when selecting the right site.

Goddard School facilities are thoughtfully designed to create warm, welcoming environments that reflect the brand’s commitment to quality and care. Franchisees receive detailed design and layout guidelines tailored to the Wonder of Learning program, including secure outdoor play areas, engaging classroom spaces, and inviting common areas. Most Goddard Schools range from approximately 9,000 to 14,000 square feet and feature age-appropriate classrooms for infants through private kindergarten, as well as designated spaces for after-school programs.

Step 6: Get Financing in Place

Your staff will be the foundation of your school’s strength and reputation. Begin recruiting qualified early childhood educators well before opening day to ensure a strong start. The Goddard School upholds high standards for teacher qualifications and provides comprehensive training in operating standards and its proprietary educational approach.

Franchisees and their teams participate in extensive training at The Goddard School headquarters, followed by ongoing professional development opportunities. This includes instruction on the Wonder of Learning program, classroom management best practices, family engagement strategies, and administrative processes supported by Goddard’s integrated technology platforms.

Step 7: Complete Training and Prepare to Open

The Goddard School provides franchisees with comprehensive marketing support, including national brand advertising, digital marketing tools, and local strategy guidance. Before your school opens, you’ll work closely with the corporate marketing team to build community awareness through targeted campaigns, open house events, and local partnerships.

With more than three decades of educational excellence, The Goddard School brand carries a strong reputation that resonates with families seeking high-quality early education. This credibility, combined with strategic marketing support, often helps franchisees achieve strong pre-enrollment results and long-term community trust.

Daily Operations and Quality Management

Once your school opens, The Goddard School continues to provide comprehensive operational support through dedicated franchise business consultants. You’ll implement Goddard’s proven management systems for enrollment, billing, staff scheduling, and regulatory compliance. The Goddard Family Hub App enhances family engagement by enabling seamless daily communication through photos, updates, and developmental milestones.

Goddard’s commitment to quality extends well beyond the opening phase. Regular assessments, continuous curriculum enhancements, and strict adherence to Quality Assurance standards help maintain operational excellence. As a franchisee, you’ll also benefit from a collaborative network of fellow owners, annual conferences, and regional meetings designed to share insights and strengthen best practices across the system.

Building Long-Term Progress

Opening a Goddard School franchise is just the beginning. The most dedicated franchisees fully embrace the brand’s culture of continuous improvement, prioritize their staff’s professional growth, and become integral members of their communities.

Backed by The Goddard School’s comprehensive support system, research-informed curriculum, and trusted national reputation, franchisees have the opportunity to build thriving businesses that deliver both meaningful financial returns and the lasting fulfillment of helping children build a strong foundation for the future.

Contact us today to learn more about The Goddard School franchise opportunity and take the first step toward owning a business that makes a lasting impact.

*Please refer to Item 7 of Goddard Franchisor's, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document for more detailed information on these costs.