Invest in the Future: The Goddard School's Visionary Franchise Model

The Goddard School—already the nation’s leader in premium early childhood education—is charting its next chapter of growth and innovation, backed by bold leadership and a proven brand poised to meet the surging demand for high-quality early childcare education.

With more than 640 schools in 37 states and Washington D.C., The Goddard School system serves nearly 100,000 students and stands at the forefront of a $71 billion industry projected to reach $91 billion by 2030 (April 2024, Grand View Research, “U.S. Child Care Market Size & Trends”).

For both experienced operators and first-time franchisees, Goddard offers a unique opportunity to invest in a purpose-driven brand with a long track record of success.

A Franchise Built for Growth—With Leadership to Match 

Founded in 1983 and franchising since 1988, The Goddard School has become synonymous with premium early childhood education. Now, the company is entering a new era under recently appointed CEO Darin Harris, a seasoned franchise leader with deep roots in multi-unit operations, including within the early childhood education sector.

Harris joins Goddard after serving as CEO of Jack in the Box, where he revitalized franchise operations, accelerated growth, and significantly improved franchisee satisfaction. He’s already a familiar face at Goddard, having served on the brand’s board of directors for two and a half years before stepping into the CEO role in April. Harris is set to build on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor, Dennis R. Maple.

“Goddard is such an incredible brand with a fantastic reputation in the category. And as I’ve gotten to know the team and franchisees over the past two years, I have a deep appreciation for the talent and mission-driven culture that has made Goddard such a success,” Harris says. “I am deeply honored to be a part of Goddard’s future as we serve even more families and children and create opportunities for our people and our franchise partners.”

Wonder of Learning™: An Education Program That Sets Goddard Apart

Goddard’s path to franchise excellence continues to be paved with best practices in operations, marketing, training, and innovative educational programming.

At the heart of its educational promise is the brand’s exclusive inquiry-based education program, Wonder of Learning, launched in August 2024. Designed around play-based, child-led exploration, the innovative, research-driven program fosters critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills—giving children a strong foundation for lifelong success. In addition to a cutting-edge curriculum developed by a diversely skilled group of educators, researchers, physicians and early childhood experts, Wonder of Learning features built-in assessment of academic and social-emotional progress, family communication via a proprietary app, and resources, training and support for faculty.

“Wonder of Learning reinforces our premium brand positioning and mission to make the world a better place through early childhood education,” says Kevin Brickner, Goddard’s vice president of franchise sales. “It provides schools with the flexibility to customize and adapt classroom needs, delivering an enriched experience for teachers and students. It also streamlines efficiencies for administrators, enabling a stronger competitive edge in the marketplace.”

A Franchise That Backs Its Owners—With Proven Results

Franchisees can count on a resilient, owner-operator business model, consistently recognized as one of the highest-rated and most trusted brands in franchising. Notable recent accolades include:

• FRANData’s 2025 TopScore Fund Award winner for the third year in a row, recognizing best-in-class financing support. 
• Entrepreneur Franchise 500 (with a spot in the Hall of Fame).
• Ranked highest among childcare providers in the 2024 Franchise Times 400.
• Named a Top 200 Franchise and Top Franchise for Women by Franchise Business Review.

Strategic Expansion—Now is the Time to Join

Looking ahead, The Goddard School continues expanding nationwide in key markets, including California, Texas, Florida, and strategic cities throughout the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Southwest.

“Now is the ideal time to join The Goddard School franchise system. Demand for high-quality early childhood education has never been higher, and our proven model, strong brand recognition, and ongoing support give franchisees the tools to succeed,” Brickner says. “We're growing strategically across the country, and we're looking for passionate partners who want to make a lasting impact in their communities while building a rewarding business.”

Are you ready to make a real difference in your community with a business model that delivers both strong financial performance and work-life balance? Learn more when you head to goddardschoolfranchise.com.

SPONSORED BY:
The Goddard School
Expand your portfolio with a trusted leader in early childhood education. Enter the thriving $71B childcare industry with a premium brand, proven model, and scalable investment. Prime locations available! Learn More