Celebree School: An Early Childhood Education Business
The Celebree School franchise gives entrepreneurs a way to build a local education business around infant care, preschool, school-age programs and summer camps. Its model combines age-appropriate play, projects and activities with a focus on protecting, educating and nurturing children. For an owner who wants to lead a team and serve families, the appeal is a defined school concept with curriculum, management training and opening support, rather than creating every operating system independently.
Celebree Enterprises, LLC was formed in Maryland on June 7, 2018 and began offering franchises on June 28, 2018. The April 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document reports 72 operating schools as of December 31, 2025: 28 affiliate-operated schools and 44 franchised schools. That dated footprint provides context for the franchise system; it is not a count of locations operating today.
Programs That Serve Different Stages of Childhood
Item 1 describes programs for children from six weeks through 12 years old. Services include infant care, preschool, before- and after-school programs for school-age children, summer camps, back-up care and emergency care. The curriculum uses age-appropriate activities to develop positive social skills, values and school readiness.
This range of programs is one reason to consider the concept: a school can serve families at several stages of childhood within one education business. Prospective owners should evaluate the local mix of families, competing providers, licensing requirements and enrollment opportunities when choosing a market. The FDD does not establish that every location will experience the same demand or financial outcome.
Celebree School Franchise Costs and Investment Formats
The April 2, 2026 FDD, amended April 13, 2026, lists a $75,000 initial franchise fee. Item 7 separates the total initial investment into two construction arrangements: $1,023,550–$1,404,100 where the landlord constructs the leasehold improvements, and $2,778,550–$3,569,099 for a remodel of an existing space. Both estimates exclude real estate acquisition costs. The construction arrangement matters more than a single combined headline range.
The disclosed $150,000 in initial payments to the franchisor consists of the $75,000 franchise fee, a $30,000 site development assistance fee, a $30,000 training and opening support fee, and a $15,000 centralized system initial fee. These are components of the investment estimates, not additional amounts to add on top of the totals. The estimates also account for items such as construction, equipment, playground facilities, technology, marketing and working capital.
Confirm current applicant capital and net-worth criteria directly with Celebree. An investment estimate and a franchisor’s applicant qualifications are separate questions, and the reviewed FDD does not establish a universal minimum liquid-capital or net-worth threshold for applicants.
Site Development and Real Estate
Celebree’s pre-opening assistance includes site selection criteria, review of proposed sites and leases, a set of prototypical general plans, and review of drawings for brand standards. The franchisee secures the site and constructs the school at their own expense. An existing building still requires an approved design and build-out; the remodel estimate above shows why reuse alone does not establish a lower-cost or faster opening.
Item 1 says a buyer should not acquire an interest in a school site until the franchise application is approved, the franchise agreement is signed, the initial fee is paid and the location is approved in writing. Item 8 also requires franchisor approval of a proposed lease and the prescribed lease addendum. Buyers can use this sequence to coordinate their real estate planning with the franchise process.
Training Before Opening
Item 11 describes a 101-hour management training program: 22 hours online, 39 hours in the classroom and 40 hours on the job. Training takes place online, at the Nottingham, Maryland office and at a Celebree School selected by the franchisor; some classroom instruction may be delivered virtually. The Operating Principal and School Director must complete the program satisfactorily at least 30 days before the Temporary Welcome Center opens. Training requirements may be adjusted for an individual’s experience.
The curriculum covers enrollment and tours, opening and ongoing marketing, classroom programs and child development, staffing and recruitment, tuition billing and financial management, licensing compliance and daily operations. Before in-person instruction, attendees must complete the online work and applicable state owner/operator training. Owners pay trainees’ travel, lodging, meals and employee wages.
Celebree also sends a representative for three days of on-site opening training covering its curriculum, brand and educational philosophy. Both the Operating Principal and School Director must attend, and adequate staffing must be in place. The disclosed opening training does not require an additional payment for the representative’s travel or living expenses. Requested extra on-site training carries additional fees and expenses.
Ongoing Support and Team Development
After opening, Celebree provides advice and written materials on managing and operating the school, administers its Brand Fund, and reviews proposed suppliers on request. Item 11 also describes periodic consultation and inspections, with assistance delivered through visits, meetings, written or electronic materials, phone calls and other communications. These are defined support responsibilities, rather than a promise of fixed coaching visits or guaranteed enrollment.
The train-the-trainer approach makes the franchisee and certified Trainers responsible for completing staff training and maintaining the required team. Replacement leadership training and special on-site assistance can carry additional charges. Celebree may require further training at the franchisee’s expense, and the Operating Principal must attend scheduled national business meetings or the annual convention for up to three days each year, with registration, travel and accommodation costs paid by the owner.
Who Could Be a Good Fit for Celebree School?
Celebree can be worth considering for an entrepreneur who wants to build an education business, develop employees and play a substantial leadership role in a school serving local families. The combination of programs for several age groups, an established curriculum, management preparation and opening assistance gives a buyer concrete features to compare with other childcare franchise opportunities.
Item 15 requires an approved Operating Principal who owns at least 10% of the franchise entity and commits their full time and best efforts to managing and supervising the school operations. Each school also needs a separate qualified School Director; the Operating Principal cannot fill both roles. This distinction is central to planning the management team and assessing whether the ownership model fits your goals.
Explore the Opportunity and Review the Current FDD
Visit our Celebree School franchise profile for the brand overview, training and support details, and an inquiry option. Ask the franchisor for the latest FDD and applicable amendments, discuss current territory and applicant requirements, and speak with existing franchisees about opening and operating a school.
The reviewed FDD states that it must be received at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or making a payment connected with the franchise sale. Receiving or acknowledging the FDD is separate from entering the franchise agreement; it does not itself award a franchise.
Source review: actual Celebree Enterprises, LLC FDD issued April 2, 2026, amended April 13, 2026; cover and Items 1, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 15. Reviewed October 8, 2026. Later amendments and current territory availability have not been independently confirmed.