When considering options for starting a business, two strong forces often drive entrepreneurs – a passion to make a positive impact on their communities and the desire to invest in an industry with a promising return. For those entrepreneurs looking to satisfy both of these urges, becoming a franchisee in an early childhood education business is an opportunity to have the best of both worlds.
After all, early childhood education has a tremendous impact on the lives of children, their families and the community at large, and an ever-growing number of parents who work full-time understand the value of a high-quality early education. By investing in early childhood education, enterprising individuals have an excellent opportunity to own and operate an economically stable business that has a positive, lasting effect on children and families.
Studies have shown that children who participate in high-quality pre-kindergarten education programs are better behaved, score higher on IQ tests and learn quicker upon entering the primary education system than their peers without formal pre-kindergarten education. A study published in 2000 showed that the human brain demonstrates its highest capacity for learning between birth and three years of age. Children taught at an early age also exhibit better social skills and increased attention spans. Dating back to the 1980s, several studies have concluded that children who participate in pre-kindergarten education are more likely to graduate high school and enroll in college and less likely to have behavioral problems or become involved in crime as adolescents and young adults.
Seeing that both parents are employed in the majority of U.S. families , the demand for high-quality childcare is high and continues to grow. Even in challenging economic times, working parents recognize high-quality care and education for their children as necessities and are willing to invest in schools with good reputations. It is this need for high-quality education that allows an early childhood education franchisee to sustain a financially rewarding business while achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.
The Goddard School preschool system embodies this best-of-both-worlds approach, providing a well-rounded experience by building each child’s emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills through a method of teaching that is grounded in research on how children learn best while exploring the world around them. With more than 450 locations across 36 states and a focus on responsible growth, Goddard Systems, Inc. provides a strong and financially rewarding business opportunity for its franchisees and has been ranked the #1 Childcare Franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine since 2002.
With nearly 40 years of franchise industry experience, Joseph Schumacher is the CEO of Goddard Systems, Inc., franchisor of The Goddard School®, and is responsible for overseeing the continued growth and development for the leading early education franchise system with more than 430 locations nationwide.