Take our Fit Score survey to see if Ducklings Early Learning Center is a good match for you.
- Founded in 1994
- Franchising Since 2017
- 17 US Franchises
- $993,400 - $2,153,500 Investment Range
- $1,991,896 Average Gross Revenue
- 6% Royalty Fee
- $55,000 Franchise Fee
Use the Pre-qualification tool to see how much funding you could qualify for and see if you can affor a Ducklings Early Learning Center franchise.
Get pre-qualified for financingTake our Fit Score survey to see if Ducklings Early Learning Center is a good match for you.
Ducklings Early Learning Centers is a 30-year, family-built early childhood education brand with a proven, premium model designed for long-term success. We blend the heart of a family business with the discipline, systems, and infrastructure brokers want in a franchisor. Our “Here We Grow!” Curriculum is proprietary, modern, and deeply rooted in whole-child development, creativity, and 21st-century skills. It’s not scripted or boxed — it allows teachers to personalize learning while ensuring consistency, quality, and outcomes across every classroom. Families know our schools for being warm, joyful, safe, and academically strong — which means high retention, strong referrals, and consistent waitlists. What truly differentiates Ducklings is our operational ecosystem. Our internal platform — The Pond — gives franchisees everything they need, from onboarding timelines and site selection tools to staffing systems, training modules, inventory lists, brand standards, curriculum access, and monthly reporting tools. It’s a complete franchise management environment that accelerates ramp-up, protects brand consistency, and supports profitability. We focus on strategic, steady growth. Our performance across the system shows clear top-quartile strength, improving mid-tier performance, and defined plans to lift the bottom quartile. With strong enrollment demand and a turnkey support structure, our franchisees are positioned for healthy returns with a clear pathway to break-even and beyond. Ducklings is a brand for owners who want purpose, meaningful community impact, and a business with lasting value. We’re intentional about awarding franchises — we look for people who care deeply about children, leadership, and building great teams. In return, we deliver a franchise experience grounded in partnership, culture, and operational excellence. Ducklings stands for legacy, quality, consistency, and heart — backed by a 30-year track record, a modern curriculum, a robust support system, and a brand families love. This is early education done right, with a franchisor who lives in the details and leads with both purpose and strength.
How much does it cost to start a franchise with Ducklings Early Learning Center?
- Franchise Fee
- $55,000
- Investment Range
- $993,400 - $2,153,500
- Investment Midpoint
- $1,573,450
- Minimum Cash Required
- $250,000
- Royalty Fees
- 6%
- Brand Fund
- 1%
The early childhood education sector benefits from strong demographic fundamentals, driven by dual-income households and increasing emphasis on early childhood development. The reported gross revenue of $1,445,169 outperforms the sub-sector average of $1,253,468, indicating solid market positioning despite the higher investment threshold.
With 30 years of operational history since 1994, Ducklings demonstrates proven system longevity, though the current 7-unit footprint suggests limited expansion velocity. This smaller system size may indicate selective growth or market positioning challenges, requiring careful territory evaluation.
The premium investment level necessitates significant liquid capital requirements, typically requiring investors with substantial net worth and childcare industry experience. The business model demands hands-on operational involvement, regulatory compliance expertise, and strong community engagement capabilities.
Ideal investors should possess $500,000+ in liquid capital, educational or childcare background, and commitment to quality-focused operations. The investment suits owner-operators seeking established curriculum systems and operational frameworks in markets with strong demographics supporting premium early learning services. Prospective franchisees should thoroughly review the FDD and conduct comprehensive market analysis before proceeding.
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See the Revenue Potential!
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Financing Details
Franzy connects you with top-tier financing partners to help secure the funds to invest in a franchise like Ducklings Early Learning Center. Whether you're looking for a loan or exploring other financial products, our partners provide expert guidance to ensure you obtain the necessary capital. They specialize in offering solutions tailored to the needs of franchisees, making the process of securing financing smooth and straightforward.
Why Financing with Franzy Partners?
Choosing to finance through Franzy's partners ensures you get the best terms and support for your franchise investment. Our partners have extensive experience in the franchising industry and offer specialized financial solutions tailored to your needs. With competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options, you can find the right financing plan that fits your budget and goals. Our partners are committed to providing personalized guidance throughout the financing process, making it easier for you to secure the necessary funds and confidently move forward with your franchise venture.
Finance Partners
The daycare industry typically thrives in suburban areas with high concentrations of dual-income families and growing populations of young children. Ideal locations for Ducklings centers include communities with median household incomes above $75,000, strong population growth, and limited competition from established daycare providers. Key success factors include proximity to residential developments, business districts, and major commuter routes.
Market analysis suggests optimal locations should target areas with significant residential density, robust annual population growth, a median age range focused on young families, high concentration of families with children under 5, and convenient access to major employment centers.
While comprehensive performance metrics and customer ratings data are not currently available, the franchise's multi-decade operating history demonstrates stability in the competitive childcare market. Prospective franchisees should focus on high-growth suburban markets with strong demographics and limited premium daycare options, where significant territory opportunities remain available for strategic expansion.
Access the detailed territory map to find prime locations and see where this franchise operates. This information is vital for understanding your market potential and exclusivity rights.
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Track Growth to Gauge Success!
See how this franchise is expanding over time. The net unit growth reveals the health and popularity of the brand—key indicators for a promising investment.
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Executive Team
Get to know the leadership behind Ducklings Early Learning Center. Learn about the experience and expertise of the executive team guiding Ducklings Early Learning Center's success. For more details, refer to Item 2 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Litigation
Review any legal actions or pending litigation involving Ducklings Early Learning Center. Understanding the legal history helps assess potential risks and the brand's business practices. For more details, refer to Item 3 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Bankruptcy
Review Ducklings Early Learning Center's bankruptcy history and any filings by key personnel or affiliates. This critical information provides transparency about the brand's financial stability and management. For more details, refer to Item 4 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Franchisor Assistance
Learn about Ducklings Early Learning Center's comprehensive support system for franchisees, including initial training programs and continuous operational assistance. Understanding the available resources and support structure is crucial for franchise success. For more details, refer to Item 11 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) we have on record, which was issued in 2025. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. Only the franchisor can confirm that the information is complete and accurate and we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
- Founded in 1994
- Franchising Since 2017
- 17 US Franchises
- $993,400 - $2,153,500 Investment Range
- $1,991,896 Average Gross Revenue
- 6% Royalty Fee
- $55,000 Franchise Fee
Use the Pre-qualification tool to see how much funding you could qualify for and see if you can affor a Ducklings Early Learning Center franchise.
Get pre-qualified for financingTake our Fit Score survey to see if Ducklings Early Learning Center is a good match for you.
