Childcare and early education franchise providing a nurturing and educational environment for children, offering comprehensive programs designed to support their development.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
344
+
13%
13%
Franchise fee
?
$70,000
Investment
?
$405,000 - $6,950,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$2,101,000
+
13.9%
13.9%
Upgrade
Kiddie Academy is a well-established franchise specializing in educational childcare, providing a blend of academic and social enrichment for children. The company was founded in 1981, beginning its journey in Baltimore, Maryland.
Over the years, Kiddie Academy has grown significantly, with its corporate headquarters now located in Abingdon, Maryland. The franchise began offering opportunities to entrepreneurs in 1992, allowing others to share in its mission of nurturing and educating children.
Kiddie Academy centers offer a range of programs for children from six weeks to 12 years old, emphasizing a curriculum that supports a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
The franchise is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality childcare services, distinguishing itself from competitors through a research-based approach and a focus on community engagement. This approach not only supports children’s growth but also positions Kiddie Academy as a trusted partner for parents seeking more than just a daycare.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Kiddie Academy franchise is
$405,000 - $6,950,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Kiddie Academy offers 2 types of franchises:
Kiddie Academy® Franchise Option
Initial Investment Range
Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if leasing the facility)
$405,000 – $915,000
Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if purchasing the facility)
$4,005,000 – $6,950,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if you are purchasing your Kiddie Academy facility).
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Purchased Kiddie Academy® Franchise
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Total Initial Fee
$70,000 – $150,000
Real Estate Acquisition, Construction Costs, and Construction
$3,255,000 – $5,450,000
Professional Fees, Loan Fees and Soft Costs
$225,000 – $570,000
Kitchen Equipment and Supplies
$25,000 – $45,000
Supplies/Equipment for Inside of Academy, Playground, and Online Training Component
$115,000 – $190,000
Outdoor Fixed Playground Equipment
$140,000 – $200,000
Computer Hardware and Software and Classroom Technology
$25,000 – $75,000
Office and Lobby Furniture, Office Equipment and Supplies, and Telephone System
$10,000 – $25,000
Indoor and Outdoor Signage
$20,000 – $35,000
Travel and Living Expenses while training and Plan Review
$3,000 – $5,000
Transportation Vehicles and Equipment
$0 – $5,000
Insurance and Utility Deposits
$4,000 – $10,000
Business Licenses
$3,000 – $5,000
Start-Up Marketing and Advertising Expenses
$35,000
Additional Funds/Working Capital – 3 months after opening
$75,000 – $150,000
TOTAL
$4,005,000 – $6,950,000
Create a free account to access this table and more. For more information see our plans here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Kiddie Academy offers 2 types of franchises:
Kiddie Academy® Franchise Option
Initial Investment Range
Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if leasing the facility)
$405,000 – $915,000
Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if purchasing the facility)
$4,005,000 – $6,950,000
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Kiddie Academy® Franchise (if you are purchasing your Kiddie Academy facility).
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Purchased Kiddie Academy® Franchise
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Total Initial Fee
$70,000 – $150,000
Real Estate Acquisition, Construction Costs, and Construction
$3,255,000 – $5,450,000
Professional Fees, Loan Fees and Soft Costs
$225,000 – $570,000
Kitchen Equipment and Supplies
$25,000 – $45,000
Supplies/Equipment for Inside of Academy, Playground, and Online Training Component
$115,000 – $190,000
Outdoor Fixed Playground Equipment
$140,000 – $200,000
Computer Hardware and Software and Classroom Technology
$25,000 – $75,000
Office and Lobby Furniture, Office Equipment and Supplies, and Telephone System
$10,000 – $25,000
Indoor and Outdoor Signage
$20,000 – $35,000
Travel and Living Expenses while training and Plan Review
$3,000 – $5,000
Transportation Vehicles and Equipment
$0 – $5,000
Insurance and Utility Deposits
$4,000 – $10,000
Business Licenses
$3,000 – $5,000
Start-Up Marketing and Advertising Expenses
$35,000
Additional Funds/Working Capital – 3 months after opening
$75,000 – $150,000
TOTAL
$4,005,000 – $6,950,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Kiddie Academy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Kiddie Academy had 345 total units in 2025, of which 344 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the royalty fee?
The royalty fee for a Kiddie Academy franchise is 7.00%. In addition, you would have to pay the advertising (or national brand fund) fee of 2.00%.
What is the total investment?
The initial investment required for a Kiddie Academy franchise is $405,000 - $6,950,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for a Kiddie Academy franchise is $70,000. This is typically paid upfront as part of the total initial investment, after signature of the Franchise Agreeement.
Kiddie Academy provides a comprehensive training program for its franchisees, designed to ensure they are well-prepared to operate a successful educational childcare center. The training consists of 128.5 hours and is delivered through a mix of self-paced e-learning and in-person, instructor-led sessions at the Kiddie Academy corporate headquarters in Abingdon, Maryland.
The training program includes several key components:
Self-Paced E-Learning: Franchisees begin their training with interactive e-learning modules available through the Kiddie Academy University (KAU) training portal. These modules cover various aspects of operating a Kiddie Academy, including curriculum implementation, operational procedures, and business management techniques.
In-Person Training: Franchisees attend a two-part, on-site training at Kiddie Academy's corporate office. This part of the training is hands-on and experiential, allowing franchisees to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. They also receive instruction on the day-to-day management and operational principles specific to the Kiddie Academy system.
On-Site Support: Just before or during the initial week of operations, a franchise business consultant from Kiddie Academy provides on-site support at the franchisee’s location. This support includes comprehensive training tailored to the specific needs of the new academy, ensuring that the franchisee and their staff are ready to deliver high-quality childcare from day one.
Territory Protection
Kiddie Academy franchisees are offered territory protection, which is designed to ensure that their business operates within a specific geographic area without direct competition from another Kiddie Academy franchise.
The protected territory is typically determined based on the population density within a one-mile radius of the franchise location. If the population within this area is less than 125,000 people, the franchisee is granted an exclusive territory where no other Kiddie Academy can be established.