With 20 locations and strong regional brand awareness, preschool brand seeks to bring 30 years of curriculum-focused childcare to more families throughout Mid-Atlantic region

Ducklings Early Learning Center, a family-founded daycare brand that is changing how childcare businesses grow through strategic franchise partnerships, seeks to continue its steady growth track with significant expansion further into the Mid-Atlantic region. With the childcare industry expected to approach $68 billion in revenue this year, the brand seeks motivated investors looking for a proven business model with strong franchise support and results-driven systems that fuel successful preschools.

Founded in 1994 by Jody Thompson, who as a pre-K teacher recognized the need for daycare to focus on education along with nurturing care, Ducklings had four large corporate locations when the brand announced the franchise opportunity in order to achieve consistent growth. An employee bought the first franchise location in 2019 and two or three centers have opened every year since, for a total of 17 franchise locations and three corporate-owned centers today.

Ducklings blends strong community values with a playful, discovery-based curriculum. Bright classrooms, indoor play areas, and safe outdoor playgrounds support every stage of early development—academically, socially, and emotionally. The proprietary Here We Grow!™ curriculum offers a well-rounded foundation that inspires each child’s development within a secure, nurturing atmosphere. Ducklings' highly trained, degreed teachers encourage exploration and growth with a focus on mind, body, heart, and family.

With current locations maintaining regular waitlists for enrollment and new residential development creating ongoing need for reliable, quality daycare options, Ducklings is well-positioned to expand beyond the strong foundation it has built throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. Target markets for the immediate future include Pennsylvania regions west of Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

Kim Collier, Chief Development Officer and one of three of Thompson’s daughters who are part of the company, shares that the ideal franchise candidate is seeking a flexible, profitable business model structured around proven strategies and systems. Most importantly, however: “They have a head for business and a heart for education.”

“With extensive research validating the critical impact of early education on a child's life-long learning and development, and the prevalence of dual-income households, we are confident in the significant opportunity that Ducklings Early Learning Center offers,” said Collier. “Our proprietary tools, modern branding, and strong franchise support allow owners to lead with purpose, culture, and confidence.”

“Throughout our steady expansion, we have ensured that each center provides a nurturing environment for children to learn and grow under the guidance of skilled, caring teachers,” said Jody Thompson. “We are proud to become an integral part of every community where we open, supporting growing families and neighborhoods.”

Interested franchisees can learn more about this opportunity at: https://ducklingsfranchise.com/.

About Ducklings Early Learning Center

For more than 30 years, Ducklings Early Learning Center has operated as a successful childcare program that has grown throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. With an emphasis on a consistent curriculum developed by early education experts, Ducklings Early Learning Center strives to offer high-quality childcare and education for local communities.

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“With extensive research validating the critical impact of early education on a child's life-long learning and development, and the prevalence of dual-income households, we are confident in the significant opportunity that Ducklings offers." - Kim Collier