In 1997 a family trip to Galveston inspired a whole new concept in caring for children. Lighthouses guide water vessels to safety, so why not use them as a symbol to guiding children to a better future?
Using that inspiration, brothers Mike and Pat Brown put that concept into their creation, Children’s Lighthouse, much more than a daycare center. Now with nearly 30 locations in the Metroplex alone, that inspiration symbolizes the guiding and nurturing environment they instilled and which still flourishes in the company.
Recognizing a gap in the market for childcare centers, they created a place where children can learn, be loved, and, of course, have fun. The first school was established in Grand Prairie, and while the plan wasn’t initially to franchise, they sensed a need to expand and help as many children and families as possible – which they are still doing today.
“We took a measured approach. We could’ve done it faster, but we wanted to do it right,” Michael Brown, son of Mike and who now directs the company with his uncle Pat, said of the company’s growth.
“When we grew up we had folks like grandma watching the kids while we worked. We don’t have that anymore,” said Matt Kelton, vice president of Franchise Development for Children’s Lighthouse.
Michael Brown said Children’s Lighthouse, which is now in 10 states, positions itself as an early education school. Kelton also noted that 90% of a child’s mental development happens by age 5.
“Our curriculum is head and shoulders above others,” Brown said, stating that all Children’s Lighthouse schools are overseen by the Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Company system – which is accredited by Cognia.
Cognia is a forward thinking nonprofit global network of enthusiastic educators who take a holistic approach to education and holds its organizations to higher standards of operational and educational excellence.
“As we grew and parents’ needs grew, we brought in a team to create a proprietary curriculum,” Brown said. “Many of our team members – and parents – have come from competitors.”
Children’s Lighthouse works with youths from ages 6 weeks through 12 years. This includes programs for infant and toddler, preschool, school age and school age-summer.
Another large part of the Children’s Lighthouse success can be attributed to their character and values, Kelton said.
“A core part of our curriculum is caring, character and values. We want our students to be good citizens,” he said.
It’s working. In 2024 the company achieved significant milestones. They had an 8% system-wide revenue increase, opened three new schools – including one in Kyle and another in Fate, and reached eight new franchise agreements. They also opened their first location in Virginia.
They also have plans to open another location soon in Celina and construction is underway on new centers in Frisco and Princeton. They also hope to open an additional 30 locations within the Fort Worth (where they are based) and Dallas area within the next decade.
They have a goal to open up to 15 new centers and achieve 10% franchise revenue growth in 2025. Along with more new sites in DFW, they plan to move into Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee within a year.
Children’s Lighthouse continued to get recognition from the “Franchise Times” Top 400 List, climbing nearly 20 spots to 292. They have also been recognized in “Franchise Business Review.”
“When prospects are looking at you, there are certain things they want to see,” Kelton said, adding, “Industry accolades are important, but you want happy franchisees most of all.”
Through it all, Brown said he is proud that the original concept of Children’s Lighthouse is still strong.
“My dad and uncle founded the company in 1997 and were heavily focused on family values, and we still have that mentality,” he said. “Ultimately, parents and children feel that.”
