Providers

The Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) is a non-profit alliance of the leading multi-state/multi-site child care providers, key state child care associations, and premier educational service providers, representing over 6,500 programs in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and select international locations. Our members serve as the unified collective voice for providers of high-quality programs and services that support families and children from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We are advocates for strong federal and state policies that bring quality to scale.

Acelero Learning
Acelero Learning is a pioneering provider of early childhood education and family engagement services, all of which are focused on closing the achievement gap before children enrolled in its programs enter kindergarten. The company has been widely recognized as a national exemplar, and external researchers have found that students tested after two years in Acelero Learning programs achieve child outcome gains more than double those of the average Head Start program. Founded in 2001, Acelero Learning currently serves more than 5,000 children and families in their Head Start centers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Through its Shine Early Learning division, the company also helps disseminate its innovative practices to more than 30,000 children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs around the country through intensive, ongoing training and technical assistance partnerships and supports states in serving child care programs striving to grow in their states’ Quality Rating and Improvement Systems.

Big Blue Marble Academy
Big Blue Marble Academy understands what developing minds need to be successful in preschool and in life. Whether you’re looking for early care, daycare, preschool, or after-school care, Big Blue Marble has designed its programs around what your child needs for their age and stage of development. At the core of Big Blue Marble’s curriculum is a focus on global education, which enhances children’s perspective and understanding of the world outside their community. Big Blue Marble teaches children the importance of giving back and helping others in need, through hands-on activities and “Heart Projects.” Big Blue Marble provides the structure children need, while also encouraging their natural curiosity and love of learning.

Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons is a leading global provider of high-quality child care and early education. They serve families around the world with unique early education experiences built on 30 years of expertise. Their promise to families is to provide environments and experiences that capture the joys of childhood, nurture each child’s individual growth and development, and pave the way for success in school and life. Bright Horizons delivers with research-informed curriculum, carefully crafted centers designed by experienced educators, and a team of committed early education professionals that together inspire children to explore, think, and wonder on their own. Bright Horizons is also profoundly committed to raising the bar in the early education field, providing their teachers with award-winning training, ongoing support, and a groundbreaking program that helps them earn their college degrees for free.

Busy Bees North America
Busy Bees is a global leader in early years education and care, delivering high-quality programming for infant to school-aged children worldwide. The organization’s mission is to deliver premium child care and exciting opportunities for learning to give children the best start in life. With centers around the world, Busy Bees provides all children nurturing care, safe and stimulating environments, and lots of opportunities for play, interaction, and development. From our health and wellbeing to our learning through play activities, our passionate and experienced team achieves the highest standards. We strive to ensure every child’s learning journey is full of wonderful experiences that they can carry with them throughout their childhood. Busy Bees is proud to have a dedicated team of educators who are passionate about child care and know that each child is unique, individually nurturing each one. Each educator is well-supported by Busy Bees and is provided with professional learning and development opportunities through access to specialized training programs and resources. With over 35 years of experience, the Busy Bees name has come to represent the same principles that made its first venture so special: care, quality, service, and value.

Cadence Education
Cadence Education is one of the premier early childhood educators in the United States, operating over 300 private preschools and elementary schools as members of the Cadence Education Family of Schools across the country. With over 20 years in business, Cadence has developed an unparalleled expertise in preparing students to thrive in the next step of their childhood. Cadence Education provides parents with peace of mind by giving children an exceptional education every fun-filled day in a place as nurturing as home.

Childcare Network and Sunrise Preschools
Child Development Schools, Inc., operating as Childcare Network and Sunrise Preschools, is the 4th-largest, for-profit child care organization in North America. With over 270 schools in 11 states, they are the leading early care and education provider in the southern United States. Their Child Development Schools family consists of over 5000 teachers and 35,000 children and their families. They have a responsibility to further the education and wellness of every child they teach, and they take that very seriously. At Child Development Schools, they engage their teachers, parents, local partners, and other advocates in their communities to provide high quality, developmentally-appropriate, affordable early care and education. They are there to support their families as they maneuver through the joys and challenges of raising strong, caring, and bright young children in this busy world. CDS is committed to giving every child a great start in life!

Crème de la Crème
Crème de la Crème is a national premium childcare company with 46 centers in 14 states with a capacity of serving 18,000 children. Founded in 1996, Crème is differentiated by its early education model of transitioning children to a variety of themed classrooms throughout its 21,000 square foot signature building. Since its inception, Crème has been focused on providing the best early education experience to their families. Beyond Crème’s buildings and amenities, it is truly Crème’s culture that sets it apart.

Endeavor Schools
Endeavor has a diverse family of schools nationwide, each uniquely suited to meet the specific needs of their local communities. Endeavor is driven by the belief that families deserve schools that are worthy of their trust and are authentically committed to the safety, well-being, and development of each child they serve.  Endeavor’s Academic Team assures the academic success of students by supporting their teachers so they can thrive. Endeavor provides training, curriculum reviews, collaborative teacher networks, access to educational research and teacher reflection tools.  Furthermore, their world-class support team provides additional leadership and augments administrative support with management tools, marketing expertise, technology and financial support, human resources and professional facilities maintenance.

The Gardner School
Founded in 2004, The Gardner School is an academically focused preschool for children ages six weeks through five years old. At The Gardner School, we have created a rich learning environment that stimulates our students’ physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. We believe each child should be provided with experiences that enhance self-esteem, which is essential in the adjusting, exploring, and growing stages of child development. This approach ensures that each child’s learning experience will be nurtured at the proper pace, giving them a strong educational foundation for a bright future. Headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, The Gardner School has 32 locations in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Virginia with expansion ahead.

The Goddard School
In 1988, entrepreneur Anthony A. Martino established The Goddard School preschool franchise to deliver a high-quality, play-based learning program to families all over the United States. Since then, The Goddard School has grown into an institution that parents and families trust, reaching more than 70,000 students from six weeks to six years old in more than 525 Goddard Schools in 38 states. As more Schools open in neighborhoods across the country, they use the most current, academically endorsed methods to ensure that children have fun while learning the skills they need for long-term success in school and in life.

Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care
Since its founding in 1981, Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care has been a recognized, national leader in educational child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full-time care, before-and after-school care, and summer camp programs. The exclusive, developmentally appropriate Kiddie Academy Life Essentials® curriculum was designed around fundamental pillars of learning, particularly Character Education, STEM Education, and Health and Fitness. The curriculum’s supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques help prepare children for success throughout their school years and life. The corporation is accredited by the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. There are currently more than 275 independently owned and operated Kiddie Academy locations in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

KinderCare Education
KinderCare Education is America’s largest private provider of early childhood education and child care. KinderCare has more than 36,000 teachers and staff serving hardworking families in 40 states and the District of Columbia caring for more than 186,000 children every day:

• In neighborhoods, with KinderCare® Learning Centers that offer early childhood education and child care for children six weeks to 12 years old;
• At work, through KinderCare Education at Work™, providing customized family benefits for more than 400 employers around the country, including on-site and near-site early learning centers and back-up care for last-minute child care, and
• In local schools, with Champions® before and after-school programs.

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, KinderCare operates more than 1,500 early learning centers, and more than 600 Champions sites. In 2020, KinderCare earned its fourth Gallup Great Workplace Award – one of only 19 organizations worldwide to do so.

Learning Care Group
Learning Care Group is the second-largest for-profit child care provider in North America and a leader in early childhood education. Headquartered in Novi, Mich., the company has more than 50 years of experience in inspiring children to love learning. It provides early education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years through eight unique brands: The Children’s Courtyard, Childtime Learning Centers, Creative Kids Learning Centers, Everbrook Academy, La Petite Academy, Montessori Unlimited, Pathways Learning Academy, and Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Centers. Learning Care Group operates more than 900 schools globally with over 21,000 employees and has a capacity to serve more than 130,000 children. The company supports child development for infants to school-agers through a comprehensive, research-based curriculum in a safe, nurturing, and fun school environment. It empowers children to be ready for school, instills a lifelong love of learning, and provides a foundation for the future. Learning Care Group also offers early education and child care programs for organizations, including onsite locations, as well as corporate partnerships and back-up care programs in its community-based schools.

The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience is a national leader in early childhood education programs with a mission of making a positive difference in the life of a child, their families and the communities they serve. Their Academies of Early Education provide a joyful environment where children are happy to learn, play and grow. Their discovery-based, all-inclusive curriculum utilizes fun proprietary curriculum characters and innovative technology to offer a one-of-a-kind learning experience that prepares children for elementary school and beyond.

Lightbridge Academy
Established in 1997, Guy and Julia Falzarano founded the company based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy provides early education and child care to children ages six weeks through kindergarten, as well as special programming for children up to 10 years old for summer camp and a new school age remote learning program. The company franchised in 2011 to expand their distinctive concept throughout the Mid-Atlantic region; it currently has over 119 child care centers either open, under construction or in development throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. In 2020, the company was featured on the Inc. 5000 ranking, Franchise Times Top 200+ awards, and Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. Lightbridge Academy was also recognized on Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Best Customer Service.

Little Sprouts, LLC
Little Sprouts, LLC, headquartered in Lawrence, MA, provides award-winning early education and child care across 39 New England school locations in MA, CT, NH, and VT. Through the experience and talents of over 900 early education professionals and in partnership with over 4,000 families, we are on a meaningful journey to create optimal learning spaces where children ages 0-5 can learn, grow, and thrive. In addition to an age-appropriate curriculum in our classrooms, we ensure that music and arts are alive in our schools, as well as a variety of STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math) to excite children about all the wonders the world has to offer. Little Sprouts is a subsidiary of Babilou Family, a global network of 1,100 early education and child care centers operating in twelve countries, serving over 50,000 families.

The Malvern School
The Malvern School is a year-round private preschool dedicated to delivering high-quality, forward-thinking early childhood education for children six weeks to 12 years old. Over the past 20+ years, The Malvern School has educated nearly 40,000 young children and has grown to become the largest privately-owned preschool in Greater Philadelphia with 27 schools throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and southern and central New Jersey. The Malvern School believes in developing the whole child in a nurturing yet engaging environment where children learn and feel loved, while also providing rewarding career and growth opportunities for educators. A strong emphasis on early childhood development, college-degreed teachers, individualized programming and an innovative curriculum – designed to meet or exceed the highest standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – have enabled The Malvern School to continually raise the bar in early childhood education.

The Nest Schools
The Nest Schools was founded by Gerry Pastor and Jane Porterfield, who have been involved in the Early Childhood Education field for over 35 years. Having started, grown, and successfully operated a leading childcare company in Connecticut, they sold their 20 schools in 2019 and thought they would retire. And they did for a year! However, they quickly realized they wanted to continue their lifelong commitment to providing exceptional programs for young children and their families and started up again with the creation of The Nest Schools in 2020. One of their goals from the start was to build a team of like-minded people who have taught children and who have influenced the lives of childcare professionals across the United States. The Nest Schools’ Team comprises long-time industry experts committed to creating a new standard of excellence for the future of early education and preschool.

New Horizon Academy
Since 1971, New Horizon Academy’s family-owned and-operated company has made it their mission to provide the best child care and early education programs on the planet. With an uncompromising commitment to excellence and passionate, talented teachers, you will be delighted to discover the difference at New Horizon Academy. Your child will flourish in New Horizon Academy’s thoughtfully planned programs, which are designed especially to meet your child’s specific needs at each stage of development from infants and toddlers through preschoolers and school-agers. Your child will build the necessary skills to succeed not only in school, but also in life. New Horizon Academy is delighted to welcome your family to New Horizon Academy! New Horizon Academy knows you cherish your child, and so will they. That is the promise they make to you each day!

Old School Academies
Old School Academies (OSA) invests in high quality preschools, K-12 private schools, education related debt, one-to-one private schools, and education technology, insurance, and finance companies. OSA invests in large schools ranging in size from 250 students to over 1,000 students. All of OSA’s schools and candidate schools must provide a strong academic curriculum and have a track record of historical success.

Premier Early Childhood Education Partners
Premier Early Childhood Education Partners simplifies and improves the lives of working parents and their children. They accomplish this goal by supporting a network of safe, fun, curriculum-focused early education centers. Their centers leverage best practices and incorporate concepts that benefit the students, families, and employees. They believe that working in early childhood education is a profession. Attracting and retaining professionals to the field improves outcomes by nurturing the curiosity of children and lifting their success once they enter elementary school.

Primrose Schools
Primrose Schools is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Their Franchise Owners, Leadership Teams and School Staff partner with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and in life.

Safari Kid Global, Inc
Safari Kid is an emerging Global leader in early education, uniquely delivering high-quality curricula for infants to school-aged children worldwide. Their mission is to create carefully carved pathways to lifelong success for every child. Safari Kids’ rich, eclectic environment and curriculum take inspiration from differing philosophies (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf) and are reflective of current brain research specifically related to early childhood development. Over fifteen years, 35,000 children going through their program have shown consistent excellence in elementary and middle school.  Safari Kid’s dedicated team of passionate and highly qualified licensed educators are well-supported with professional learning development opportunities through custom training programs and resources. Every learning center is modernly designed with specialized science behind them to ignite the exploration and curiosity in every child stepping foot through their doors. Safari Kid’s eclectic, progressive, and unique approach to educating allows the ability to place emphasis on the whole child and prepares them to excel in kindergarten and beyond with a solid educational foundation.

Shine Early Learning
Shine Early Learning is committed to proving that every child can succeed at the highest levels – and demonstrating that high-impact, evidence-based approaches can help early childhood programs truly make the difference in a child’s life. Shine Early Learning offers dedicated resources and an integrated programmatic approach to help Head Start and early education programs reach their own ambitious goals. The Shine Early Learning approach is developed, implemented, and continuously refined at Acelero Learning, a high-performing Head Start and Early Head Start program serving more than 5,000 children across the nation.

Spring Education Group
Spring Education Group is a multi-brand network providing superior private school education from infant care through high school. The network brings together some of the best private school programs in the country, with proven track records educating children through unique and carefully crafted curricula. Headquartered in Saratoga, California, Spring Education Group’s best-in-class platform was created by uniting four premier school organizations – BASIS Independent Schools, LePort Montessori, Nobel Learning Communities and Stratford School. The Spring network spans 18 states across the U.S. with an international presence in Asia.

Stepping Stone School
Stepping Stone School is a comprehensive early care and education program in the Austin, Round Rock, and College Station areas that profoundly nurtures children and prepares them for lifelong happiness. The Stepping Stone School experience will promote your child’s sense of belonging, as well as ensure healthy cognitive, physical and social-emotional development. They are deeply integrated in their communities and rooted in regions and neighborhoods such as Cedar Park, Teravista, Georgetown, and Pflugerville.

The Sunshine House
The Sunshine House was formed in Greenwood, SC, by a husband and wife team of public school teachers. The couple wasn’t satisfied with the local care options available for their young daughter, so they started The Sunshine House. One of our first schools, on Grace Street in Greenwood, SC, is still in operation today! More than 40 years later, The Sunshine House has grown into one of the largest early education and childcare companies in the United States. While our original founders have since retired (and their daughter is now an adult with children of her own), we are proud to continue this important legacy. Today we operate more than 100 schools in 9 states, employing 2,500 professional educators and caregivers, and serving more than 12,000 children each day. The bedrock of our company lies in our vision and mission. It’s the reason we get up each day. It’s the promise we make to our children, our families, and our fellow team members. It’s all about children; it’s all about your child. Our vision is to partner with families to create a better world. Our mission is to provide high-quality care and education – every child, every family, every day.