Childrens Lighthouse vs Tutor Time
Childrens Lighthouse vs Tutor Time: Childrens Lighthouse costs $940K to $1.2M to open; Tutor Time costs $98K to $751K. Childrens Lighthouse has 73 units, Tutor Time has 80. SBA loan history: Childrens Lighthouse = 111 loans (0.0% default); Tutor Time = 108 loans (12.0% 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 Tutor Time: 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
Tutor Time requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($98K vs $940K for Childrens Lighthouse), a 859% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $85K for Childrens Lighthouse versus $55K for Tutor Time, Tutor Time has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Tutor Time operates 80 units to Childrens Lighthouse's 73.
SBA Lending Profile
Childrens Lighthouse has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 111 7(a) approvals compared with 108 for Tutor Time. Childrens Lighthouse's peak SBA year was 2020 (9 loans); Tutor Time's peak was 1997 (15 loans). Childrens Lighthouse's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Childrens Lighthouse has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 65. Tutor Time leads in NY, with 21. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Childrens Lighthouse deals is $1.9M vs $282K for Tutor Time, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Childrens Lighthouse and 12.0% for Tutor Time, Childrens Lighthouse has the cleaner SBA loss record by 12.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 61 (Moderate) for Childrens Lighthouse and 27 (Fair) for Tutor Time, giving Childrens Lighthouse the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 61/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 111 | 108 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 12.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $940K to $1.2M | $98K to $751K |
Franchise Fee | $85K | $55K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 0.5% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $200K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 73 | 80 |
Franchised Units | 73 | 80 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 20 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1960 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 66 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Fort Worth, TX | CONGERS, NY |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2023 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Childrens Lighthouse or Tutor Time?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Childrens Lighthouse: $940K starting · Tutor Time: $98K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 111 SBA loans · Tutor Time: 108 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 0.0% · Tutor Time: 12.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Childrens Lighthouse: 73 units · Tutor Time: 80 units
More lender financing options
Childrens Lighthouse
Childrens Lighthouse: 46 unique lenders · Tutor Time: 45 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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About These Franchises
Childrens Lighthouse vs Tutor Time: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Childrens Lighthouse and Tutor Time is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $98K to $1.2M.
Childrens Lighthouse has 111 SBA loans on record and Tutor Time has 108. 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 Tutor Time, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Childrens Lighthouse or Tutor Time?
How much does a Childrens Lighthouse franchise cost compared to Tutor Time?
Can I finance Childrens Lighthouse or Tutor Time with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Childrens Lighthouse or Tutor Time?
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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