Children’s Lighthouse Expands to Indiana with First Franchise Agreement

Children’s Lighthouse, the early learning school franchise known for its values-based curriculum and director-led model, has announced the signing of its first Indiana franchise agreement — marking a major step in the brand’s national expansion.

“The franchisees that signed on are in Westfield, which is a growing area,” said Matt Kelton, Vice President of Development for Children’s Lighthouse. “Eric Hall is in the medical device industry and Kristen Hall was a school teacher and stay-at-home mom. She raised her kids and is ready to do something new in their community. We are very excited to enter Indiana for the first time.”

Fueling the demand for top-tier early childhood education — a need Children's Lighthouse is uniquely positioned to meet — is the robust expansion of the Indianapolis metro area. This region has emerged as a high-growth hub in the Midwest, propelled by significant job creation, an influx of corporate relocations, and substantial suburban development in communities such as Westfield, Carmel, and Fishers.

“Indianapolis has a lot of growth going on and there is a lot of industry that has moved into that market,” Kelton said. “It really ticks off the boxes for things we are looking for and the premium service that we provide. Five schools could fit in the market.”

This strong growth trajectory, combined with the area’s family-friendly environment and high household incomes, positions Indiana as a strategic long-term growth opportunity for the brand.

Children's Lighthouse provides its franchise partners with a highly supportive operational framework centered on the proprietary Lighthouse Pathways® curriculum. Furthermore, with flexible ownership structures and operators achieving average revenues exceeding $2 million within 18 months, the brand remains a compelling draw for business owners motivated by both community impact and financial success.

As the first franchise in Indiana breaks ground, Children’s Lighthouse sees this as the beginning of a larger regional expansion across the state.

“Westfield is the perfect place to start,” Kelton said. “The community is growing quickly, families are moving in, and there’s a clear need for premium childcare options. We expect this to be the first of several successful Children’s Lighthouse schools in Indiana.”

With momentum building in new markets across the country — from Texas to Tennessee to now Indiana — Children’s Lighthouse continues to solidify its place as a leading franchise opportunity in the early education space.