Childrens Lighthouse vs The Goddard School
Childrens Lighthouse vs The Goddard School: Childrens Lighthouse costs $940K to $1.2M to open; The Goddard School costs $704K to $8.5M. Childrens Lighthouse has 73 units, The Goddard School has 453. SBA loan history: Childrens Lighthouse = 111 loans (0.0% default); The Goddard School = 687 loans (1.2% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Childrens Lighthouse vs The Goddard School: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
The Goddard School requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($704K vs $940K for Childrens Lighthouse), a 33% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $85K for Childrens Lighthouse versus $135K for The Goddard School, Childrens Lighthouse has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Childrens Lighthouse and 7% for The Goddard School, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Goddard School operates 453 units to Childrens Lighthouse's 73, roughly 6× the system size. The Goddard School has been operating 38 years (founded 1988) versus 29 for Childrens Lighthouse (founded 1997), a 9-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Goddard School has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 687 7(a) approvals compared with 111 for Childrens Lighthouse. Childrens Lighthouse's peak SBA year was 2020 (9 loans); The Goddard School's peak was 2019 (69 loans). Childrens Lighthouse's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Childrens Lighthouse deals is $1.9M vs $1.8M for The Goddard School, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Childrens Lighthouse and 1.2% for The Goddard School, Childrens Lighthouse has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 61 (Moderate) for Childrens Lighthouse and 65 (Strong) for The Goddard School, giving The Goddard School the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 61/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 111 | 687 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 1.2% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $940K to $1.2M | $704K to $8.5M |
Franchise Fee | $85K | $135K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 0.5% | 4% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $2.0M |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 73 | 453 |
Franchised Units | 73 | 453 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | 1988 |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 1988 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 38 yrs |
Headquarters | Fort Worth, TX | King of Prussia, PA |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Childrens Lighthouse or The Goddard School?
Lower upfront capital required
The Goddard School
Childrens Lighthouse: $940K starting · The Goddard School: $704K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Goddard School
Childrens Lighthouse: 111 SBA loans · The Goddard School: 687 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 0.0% · The Goddard School: 1.2%
Larger system & brand presence
The Goddard School
Childrens Lighthouse: 73 units · The Goddard School: 453 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Childrens Lighthouse: 7% · The Goddard School: 7%
More lender financing options
The Goddard School
Childrens Lighthouse: 46 unique lenders · The Goddard School: 135 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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Childrens Lighthouse vs The Goddard School: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Childrens Lighthouse and The Goddard School is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $704K to $8.5M.
Childrens Lighthouse has 111 SBA loans on record and The Goddard School has 687. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Childrens Lighthouse vs The Goddard School, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Childrens Lighthouse or The Goddard School?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman