Children’s Lighthouse, the family-focused early education franchise, announced in late September the signing of a new franchise agreement with Syed Shah in Katy, TX. This strategic expansion demonstrates Children’s Lighthouse’s ongoing commitment to bringing its comprehensive and proprietary curriculum to communities across the U.S., a company spokesperson said.

“We’re excited to welcome Syed to the Children’s Lighthouse family,” said President Michael Brown. “Our mission has always been to provide a nurturing environment that fosters early childhood development and instills a lifelong love of learning. We believe that Syed shares our passion and, with his dedication and commitment, we’re confident that he will play a pivotal role in helping us making a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families we serve.”

With more than two-thirds of the nation's children under six having both parents in the workforce, the demand for high-quality early childhood education is at an all-time high. The U.S. childcare industry, valued at $59 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $88 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2024 to 2033.

Children's Lighthouse is strategically positioned to meet this growing need through its innovative Lighthouse Pathways learning approach, which offers three individualized, research-backed and age-appropriate curriculums tailored to support each child’s unique educational journey, according to a September 30 press release. For infants as young as six weeks to two years, Lighthouse BRIGHT® provides early learning foundations. Lighthouse CARES® is designed for children ages two to five, focusing on their developmental milestones. For school-aged children, xSTREAM Quest® offers an after school exploratory learning experience in science, technology, reading, engineering, art and mathematics (STREAM). Through a combination of interactive classroom activities and hands-on experiences, Children's Lighthouse is dedicated to equipping children with the critical skills, knowledge, and values needed for success in school and life.

“We’ve been building up the foundation for really aggressive growth,” said Vice President of Franchise Development Matt Kelton. “The demand continues to far surpass supply at this point. Our new openings and franchisee expansions reflect the growing need for quality early childhood education across the country.”

Shah worked at CVS for 12 years before opening his own pharmacy business which he ran from 2015 to 2022 before selling the business and beginning to look for his next move. Around the same time, Shah’s daughter began working with young children at a Children’s Lighthouse in her area and he immediately noticed a difference in her energy and attitude – she was brighter, more energetic, and happier.

“Seeing how happy my daughter was working alongside children at Children’s Lighthouse inspired me to look into opening a location of my own as I exited the pharmaceutical industry,” said Shah.

Children’s Lighthouse was founded in 1997 in Fort Worth by brothers Pat and Mike Brown. As the parents and uncles of several young children themselves, they saw a need for quality childcare that went beyond simple playtime and babysitting. Since the brand started offering franchise opportunities in

1999, it has put considerable effort into developing a system that provides its franchisees with extensive onboarding and support. Prior childcare experience isn’t required as franchisees and their staff have access to in-depth pre-opening training to immerse them in the brand’s culture, curriculum and business model.

To learn more, visit: https://www.childrenslighthousefranchise.com/.