Founder Pauline Miller Number of employees Over 60 Parent organization Essential Brands, Inc. | Number of locations Over 175 (2017) Founded 1981 | |
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Industry Early Childhood Education Key people Gregory Helwig (President) Michael J. Miller (Executive Chairman)Susan Wise (Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer) | ||
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care is a franchise system in the United States founded in 1981 with more than 175 franchised academies in 24 states. Kiddie Academy, headquartered in Abingdon, MD, has around 13,400 children enrolled in their programs.
History
The first Kiddie Academy was opened in 1981 in Baltimore County, Maryland and founded by Pauline and George Miller.
The first version of Kiddie Academy’s proprietary, education-based curriculum launched through the efforts of Co-Founder Pauline Miller. In 1983, the owners moved operating staff into their first corporate office as they built a second Kiddie Academy school located in Baltimore County with a capacity of 64 children.
In 1984, the company built a third academy location in Maryland and by 1985 the company updated its proprietary, education-based curriculum.
In 1991, the company's corporate office moved to a larger building in Harford County, Maryland. The Federal Trade Commission approved Kiddie Academy for franchising in 1992 followed by the creation of their first training programs and by 1993, Kiddie Academy awarded its first franchise agreement in Elkton, Maryland. The Millers established the Essential Brands, Inc. to offer Kiddie Academy childcare and preschool franchises.
Outgrowing the office building built in 1991, Kiddie Academy HQ relocated to its third corporate office in 2007 in the heart of Abingdon, Md.
In 2008. Kiddie Academy’s proprietary and copyrighted education-based curriculum introduced Life Essentials®, the company’s educational philosophy, curriculum and supporting programs and techniques that help prepare children for life.
Between 2014 and 2016, Kiddie Academy unveiled a new logo, launched a new creative campaign titled, Amazing Starts Here® and opened a corporate flagship location near its home base: Kiddie Academy of Abingdon.
Kiddie Academy was named a 2017 top franchise by both Franchise Gator and Entrepreneur. The company was ranked eighth on the Franchise Gator's fourth annual Top 100 list ranking franchise systems, and landed among the top 25 percent of the Franchise 500, Entrepreneur's annual franchise recognition program. Kiddie Academy was also identified as a "Fastest Growing Franchise" by Franchise Gator in 2016 and 2017.